LEAVING SCHOOL? eye ation Educ
WHAT’S NEXT?
Could a modern-day apprenticeship suit you? When you were younger (much younger), you may have had aspirations of being a firefighter, a member of cabin crew or even a police officer, but the chances are, you’ll have reached your mid-teens without a clue about what you’d actually like to do and have found yourself having to make some really big choices. This can be daunting and scary. If you are due to leave school soon, have you decided upon your next course of action? Perhaps you don’t fancy paying the £9,000 a year tuition fee at university - or maybe you feel that further education isn’t the route for you. Perhaps one option might be an apprenticeship where you couple your interest in the area you want to develop with that of a career. Don’t be fooled by the old jokes, long gone are the days when the apprentice just made the tea or was sent to fetch a bucket of sparks! It’s a serious route for further training and one that employers really value. In 2021 the UK needs to be as competitive as ever in the global marketplace and industries of all types need new minds and resources that they can develop. It’s not an easy ride and, like anything, you get out what you put in. So what are the benefits ? Firstly you work alongside experienced staff and grow your knowledge from them. You will gain specific job skills, earn a wage and usually you take a day a week to study towards a job related qualification.
then you need to look in that space. But apprentices are sought in many different types of business from agriculture, to arts and media, leisure and retailing as well as all the usual industries you would expect. As a rule however you need to be living in England, not taking part in full time education and over 16 years old. Don’t forget that it’s a selective interview process so there has to be reasons and benefits from both sides. For the employer that may not have thought about an apprentice, there are benefits here also. You could benefit from a grant, improve the bottom line, fill your skills gap and motivate your workforce. But you don’t need to take my word for it. Recently many business leaders wrote an open letter to the FT and the Guardian supporting the apprentice scheme, and with nearly 60% of the intake going on to higher management within the company. The evidence is that apprenticeships work. There are some local businesses in the RG7 area that are interested in apprentices and many more across Berkshire. So if you are a local employer wanting an apprentice, or you are in education and wondering about what may be available, then a fantastic resource is available here:
www.apprenticeships.org.uk
If you are interested you may wonder what the apprentice gets financially... they are paid from their first day at work. The minimum wage is £2.65 per hour between 16 and 18 but many earn more and over 19s should receive the National Minimum Wage. You would also get 20 days holiday a year. There are many areas of apprenticeship, although naturally one needs to find a company local to you that is one you want to work with and one that sees merit in you (Its a job interview after all.) Your apprenticeship has to be in an area that you want to develop as a career. If you are into electrical engineering then you need to find the relevant company. If you are into Leisure and Tourism
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There are three levels of apprenticeship in the UK: Intermediate Equivalent to 5 GCSE passes Advanced Equivalent to 2 A level passes Higher Apprenticeships can lead to NVQ Level 4 or Foundation Degree facebook.com/villageeyemagazine
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