Leading the way

Five reasons to consider an apprenticeship

You get paid to learn

You’ll earn a salary while gaining invaluable experience and expert knowledge, which will set you up for career success. Unlike uni, you won’t be left with debt to pay off.

There’s plenty of choice

There are many different types of apprenticeships out there, be it sports, creative, business, tech or construction, so you can find a programme that suits your interests and chosen career path.

High-quality training

Joyceline Hogan heads up the council’s early careers and talent team, which champions apprenticeships both in the council and with employers in the borough. She talks about the benefits of apprenticeships and, with exam results on the horizon, how they can be the beginning of a long and successful career

My team is passionate about encouraging the council and other Islington employers to take on more apprentices. We attend careers events at schools and host information sessions or insight days, where people can get their questions answered about apprenticeships and careers in the council.

Summer is a time of great excitement and sometimes anxiety as young people wait for their exam results. Whatever their results, I encourage them to think about apprenticeships as a possible, debt-free route to achieving additional qualifications and starting their career. There are more than 600 types of apprenticeship, leading to different levels of qualification – from those that are equivalent to GCSE or A-levels, right through to a bachelor’s or master’s degree-level qualification.

We recruit to the council’s apprenticeship programme throughout the year. Our apprenticeships include carpentry, finance, planning, business administration, early years educator and countryside work placements. Most of our apprentices have gone on to gain a permanent job and promotions with us or other organisations.

To find out more about apprenticeships and exploring your career options, sign up to the council’s jobs bulletin: islington.gov.uk/stayupdated Browse the council’s latest vacancies: islington.gov.uk/jobs

During your apprenticeship, you’ll gain industry-recognised qualifications to build your skills and knowledge, and help you demonstrate your value to future employers.

On-the-job experience

An apprenticeship is a great way to kickstart your career. Learning ‘on the job’ means networking opportunities, support from the employer, social benefits, and financial perks like paid annual leave.

Learn from the experts

You’ll work alongside people who know the ins and outs of the role and how the sector works, giving you first-hand insight and an understanding of the job that you just can’t get from the classroom.

A-level results day is on 17 August and GCSE results day is on 24 August. Check your school’s website to find out how results will be issued.