Apprenticeships after A Levels

[LadyPenelope68]

My son has just done his AS levels with brilliant results. However, he's now dithering about University saying he doesn't think it's what he wants to do.

He's saying he's interested in some sort of Apprenticeship, but everything we look at seems much more geared up to those finishing GCSE's and would seem like a bit of a backward step after A levels.

Does anyone have any advice about where to start looking/or if there are even any apprenticeships that start at a send tier after A levels?

Thanks!

[sleepachu]

Google the civil service fast track apprenticeship scheme.

[MirabelleTree]

Google ' Higher apprenticeships'

[LadyPenelope68]

Thanks both of you, just had a total blank on what to search for or whether such a thing even existed.

[Stinkerbelle37]

Start here - nearly all apprenticeships are on here. (Database to search)


www.gov.uk/apply-apprenticeship

A good higher apprenticeship could lead to a degree , with no debt. Law firms, accountants, engineers all sorts now recognise there is a large pool of candidates that want to earn while they learn and avoid debt.

A good apprenticeship could be amazing. But you need to find one that isn't just looking for an apprentice as cheap cannon fodder.

[LadyPenelope68]

thats my exact worry stinkerbelle I don't want him in a dead end, used as cheap labour apprenticeship which I see lots of his peers ending up in.

[trashcansinatra]

Higher apprenticeships usually require a levels to get onto and give a degree of some sort (often foundation but there are now degree apprenticeships that give an honours degree) along with work experience and s salary.

There are lots of good ones. What field is he interested in?

Many will start advertising for 2017 entry late this year or early next.

[LadyPenelope68]

Some sort of Engineering, Electronics, Computing

[Stinkerbelle37]

I would probably either look for a big organisation - BAE systems, Ford Motors etc, or a small niche provider. I reckon it's the middle sized firms that are more of a gamble, but I have no evidence for that. It's just a small firm wouldn't take someone on unless they were really sure about that individual, and larger firms have the infrastructure to back you up. (So if you don't like your placement, you will have an HR team that you can go to who will be properly independent of your line manager etc).

The other way to approach it is to go via the training providers. But to be honest, I feel they just want the students on their books, (e.g., the 6th form colleges) as that has a payment associated for them. Whereas the companies are making an investment....

[LadyPenelope68]

Thanks for that. Are you a teacher/advisor?

[Stinkerbelle37]

Kind of an advisor in a secondary, but very new in post (literally months), so just learning about it all at the moment really.

My background is in large professional services firms, and whilst I was client-facing I also took responsibility for our graduate scheme in our department, and I've always had an interest in learning and development.

There are some great websites out there. I like this one:

www.careerpilot.org.uk

But other website are available!

[Stinkerbelle37]

(I feel a name change coming on having outed self!)

[LadyPenelope68]

Thanks so much, really appreciate it. Will have a good look.

[trashcansinatra]

There are lots of technology and computing apprenticeships and lots are really good. Especially with computing, the combination of training with working on real IT projects is a really good combination.

Have a look at IBM, Microsoft, Capgemini, Atos, even GCHQ and the Air Force.

[LadyPenelope68]

Thanks!

[thesandwich]

I reall recommend visiting the skills show at the nec in Birmingham in the autumn. Free- with loads of coma is you can talk to. Including gchq!

[trashcansinatra]

Interesting article about apprenticeships on the BCS blog (the BCS is the chartered institute for IT)

www.bcs.org/content/conBlogPost/2596