Has anyone's DC gone on to a Level 3 apprenticeship after doing A levels or BTEC? Did it lead anywhere beyond that?

I have A Levels, a degree in engineering and am now studying on an apprenticeship to become a mechanic. I’d say do the apprenticeship!

@TizerorFizz Actually he does have a professional engineering qualification. He's had to do a hell of a lot of written work across the three years, lived away from home in the company training centre for a year - not fun during Covid - have final interviews and a viva voce. He has EngTech TMIET after his name, he could move on to IEng and then CEng as next steps if he wanted to and his company would pay for this. What he hadn't realised though in the industry he is working in it's not IEng and CEng that they really need. It's the EngTechs that earn the big bucks because the business can't run without them - they're irreplaceable. He's already been head hunted by two other firms (also nationally known companies) because the apprenticeship scheme he qualified with is sort after but he's holding out for now. The company he works for employs 150,000 people in the UK 10% of which are Engineers - not a small number in my eyes.

Friend's child went from A levels to level 4 apprenticeship to years 2&3 of a degree part-time whilst also working part-time for the same employer. Got a first, still works (back to full-time) with the same employer.

@HappySonHappyMum It’s not really true to say he has an engineering qualification though. That’s not possible at 22. Some other qualification might be but of course those who are CEng or IEng will probably earn more in the long run as they can work anywhere in the world and command very high salaries. I think your DS is unusual to earn so much at 22 with no degree. Most won’t.

Yes absolutely, DC1 did A Levels, then the company that she did work experience with offered her an apprenticeship. Because of the specialism of the work it had to be a level 3 apprenticeship, which subsequently led on to a degree apprenticeship.

My company offers level 3&4 apprenticeships which can then turn into them completing a Level 6 DA. There is a ton of benefits to them e.g the earn as you learn piece.

My DS did a three year level 3 apprenticeship after he had completed his A levels. Had enough UCAS points to go to Uni but didn't feel it was for him. His apprenticeship was not easy to get onto - it is a nationally recognised company. They had over 8000 applications for 30 places. He went through a number of stages, application, aptitude tests, online interview, location visit with in person interview and another exam - it took six months from his application to being given the job. He was offered the apprenticeship and it's the best thing that's ever happened to him. Four years on he has completed it, is now qualified has letters after his name. He has the opportunity to go further but he enjoys the work and is already a higher rate taxpayer. He says he can go further in the future if he wants - but his job in Engineering is in high demand so with his rather large pay packet he's not motivated right now to study more. I wouldn't worry about the Level 3 leading to Level 6, the opportunities that have become available to my DS as a Level 3 apprentice have been amazing.

@Sunbeckons I don’t have direct experience of this but, as you say, degree apprenticeships are difficult to get. The one huge advantage of a degree is changing your mind about what work you actually do want! Business is a massive umbrella. I can see how not having to pay a grad tax is good, but what will she realistically earn on the apprenticeship and what advancement is possible? Is uni right anyway if she doesn’t like change? Yes, grads don’t always get grad level work or great pay. So I would try and work out what the prospects are with this
company.

I do not see how a new government can force firms to create apprenticeships when there are grads around who they don’t have to pay for 3 years whilst at uni and the grad pays their own uni expenses. Some companies are no doubt great but not all.