My son is thinking of ditching A-Levels for an apprenticeship

[Justwingingitsince2007]

Long time lurker, first time poster.

My DS is in Y12. After doing ok in his GCSEs (not as well as predicted, but still good enough, predicted 7s, got mostly 6s and an 8 in Maths) he embarked on A-Levels (Maths, Physics, Chemistry). He has coasted all year, and has pretty much bombed his mocks, getting E’s across the board. His plan was always A-Levels, then Mechanical Engineering at uni.

He has resits in August to get into Y13, and to be fair has been revising throughout the hols so far.

However, he did his work experience at a large well known car manufacturer and off the back of that they have offered him an apprenticeship. They only offer 2 every 3 years. It’s a level 3 light vehicle maintenance qualification. It’s 3 years long. They have block release to their own specialist college. He will earn a wage.

He is volunteering there through the holidays and they have talked to him again about this apprenticeship. They have said he can have it now, or they will wait for him to finish his A-Levels and keep it open for him.

He wants to ditch his A-Levels and do the apprenticeship now instead. He couldn’t get into uni on this apprenticeship because it’s only worth 48 UCAS points. He says he doesn’t want to go to uni anyway now.

I think he should finish his A-Levels and then do the apprenticeship, so he has that back up, and he thinks he should just go for it now.

Will not having A-Levels hinder him in the future? I really don’t know what’s best. I know it’s ultimately his decision, but he wants my opinion and I want to give him the best advice.

OP this was our situation some 3 and half years ago. DS was in middle of A levels (during covid times so not really in school) He was studying Maths, Biology and PE and intended to go to Uni to do Sports Physio or similar. He'd always been quite high achieving and academic, so it made sense. Towards the end of year 12 had a complete change of heart, and decided he wanted to get out work after school.

Applied for lots of different apprenticeships but was really set on working in the motor industry. He's always loved anything mechanical, and he landed a 3 year apprenticeship with Mercedes. He's just coming to the end of it now and doesn't regret it one bit.

At the time it was really hard to get our heads around, but we recognised that if we forced him down the uni route and it didn't work out, we would feel terrible.

Things to consider:
He will possibly be on minimum wage/low pay for the duration of his apprenticeship. If it's a level 3 - it's aimed at year 11 school leavers, so being a bit older he might get more or in line with NMW for his age.

He will possibly need to buy his own tools- however some employers give them an allowance to pay for these.

He will probably need to be able to drive by the time he's completed the apprenticeship if he wants a permanent job with the company after (sounds stupid, but one of them at DS place is in his second year and still doesn't drive, it means he can't do any of the test drives once work is completed, or even drive the cars he's working on into the bays!)

He will come in stinking of diesel/petrol/grease and filthy!

DS is due to finish this summer and will be fully qualified. In these 3 years he has started doing private work on the weekends/evenings, is part of a motor sport team that have built their own car and intend to race at Santa Pod and has never regretted his decision.

I'm now a big advocate for apprenticeships, and if you need any more industry specific info don't hesitate to pm me

I would also bear in mind the number of young people who drop out of university part way through their course; and also those who complete their degree but still end up doing a basic level job at the end of it.

I would question the dedication of a young person who is wavering on his first year A level as to the likelihood of him completing a further 3-4 years study .

I'm all for apprenticeships, but I wouldn't take this one.

The world is very quickly shifting away from internal combustion engines in favour of batteries. There's a pattern that the adoption of new technology follows ( cars, washing machines, phones, computers, etc) and the uptake of EVs are very clearly following this pattern.

Yes, old cars will be on the road for years, but they won't outlast the army of car mechanics that are needing to find new careers.

@Justwingingitsince2007

I do think that it would be a good idea to take the resits in August, OP, as he has put so much effort in this summer. The moment for thinking things through again could be after those results are in, if the timing allows.

Which board does he do at A Level?

I would assume that cars will still need fixing so they will move with the technology as it comes out?

And who will be fixing these electric vehicles? Magicians?

It has been this attitude, combined with the idea that only low achievers do apprenticeships that has led to the lack of skilled mechanics .

I’d encourage the apprenticeship, my cousin left school with minimum grades for an apprenticeship with a small company, he then moved companies once he had been qualified a few year and got a few promotions and is now managing director for the whole of the company.

Sometimes it’s not grades than you need but hard work and determination.(and being in the right place at the right time)

Apprenticeships don’t come around very often. Grab the chance,

That’s fantastic! It sounds very similar to what DS has been offered.

DS is starting his driving lessons in Sept (youngest in the year so doesn’t turn 17 until end of Aug) so that should be fine. He told me about the tools so he seems to know he will need to hit his own, and the wage is national minimum wage while he is an apprentice.

I’m so glad it’s been the right fit for your DS! And well done him on completing it, sounds like he is doing brilliantly!

If the company is holding the offer open then I’d get that in writing ( ie an actual contract starting in say July 2025).

I personally think he’d be mad not to do his A levels. Even three Cs in the sciences gives him options in the future. By ditching A levels, he’s limiting his options.
With A levels you can get a degree as a mature student should the job not be what he ultimately wants.

Definitely the appreticeship.

His A levels are very difficult and he isn't motivated to do them.

I want to add to ease concerns that it is very possible to move from a Level 3 apprenticeship to a higher level (Level 4-5) or degree apprenticeships (Level 6) connected with a university or a Level 4-6 cadetship. Some specifically prefer those who've previously completed apprentices, and for many young people I talk to, getting paid and having guaranteed work experience during uni is what makes the idea appealing.

It's also possible to do uni with 48 UCAS points, though typically the person would start with an Advanced Certificate or Diploma (HNC or HND) and then top-up to full if progress well enough and choose to do so.

do the apprenticeship.

i am involved in recruitment in a similar industry. We’d FAR rather take on a person who’d completed an apprenticeship in a related industry than someone with A levels and less work experience.

Another vote for taking the apprenticeship. DD in similar situation.

Unless he has a contract stating he is accepted on an apprenticeship on x date in the future I would be wary of this route. My DS is in the 1st year of an automotive manufacturing apprenticeship and the industry is changing rapidly. I'm sure the manager who has offered to take OPs DS on in the future means what he says now. BUT will the opportunity actually be there in a years time? Is that a risk OPs DS is willing to take.

He should jump at it.
A levels are just a stepping stone to the next stage, there are other ways of getting there if he wants to.

Engineering apprenticeships are very selective, well regarded, and it will set him up well. He'll be ahead of the game in 5 years when his peers are fiddling about looking for a job just out of university.

He's extremely fortunate to get this offer.
In three years time he'll be in a secure job earning a good wage, while his school mates in uni will be loaded down with debt and no guarantee of a job suited to their paper qualifications.

@GladAllOver a friend of mine was in this position with her son a year ago. He's now a year into a 3? Year apprenticeship with Bosch - automotive arm, but fridges! He's loving it! A bit of pay, tangible skills, good job prospects, no debt!

@Justwingingitsince2007

I was wondering whether there is a teacher with whom he gets on very well to whom he could speak about his options, OP. If there are re-sits to be done in August, there is a possibility that the teacher he likes best will be around and he could ask to talk to him/her.

I still think that completing A Levels having secured a guarantee that the apprenticeship will be there for him next summer is the way to go.

I think this for a few reasons. He must be around 17 now; at 23, he could feel differently about what he wants to do and might want to take a different route which requires A Levels.

The other thing is that changes in the company might mean that they don't keep on all the apprentices they have trained up. If this happened and he had to look for something new, having the A Levels could make a difference.

It's not a question of saying that he should abandon the apprenticeship and focus on A Levels, it's rather a question of exploring the possibility of having both; the A Levels and the apprenticeship. That would be a great combination.

Sorry, that post should have been addressed to the OP.

I asked a similar question for a few years ago, although DD didn't have a particular apprenticeship to go to, and plenty of posters told me she would be ruining her life and should stick A levels out, but actually it was the making of her. The apprenticeship gave her really solid work experience in the NHS and set off a desire to be a nurse, she's now been at uni for two years and absolutely loves nursing and seems to be great at it. if she'd stayed doing A levels it's unlikely she would have found her way to it. When we made the final decision I had a look at alternative routes to university, and I realised she could easily do an access or foundation course or even A levels if she needed to.

The other thing is that changes in the company might mean that they don't keep on all the apprentices they have trained up. If this happened and he had to look for something new, having the A Levels could make a difference.

If he is even barely able, then he will be able to get another job as a mechanic. But they won't let him go if he is even slightly decent. I can not explain how desperate the situation is wrt mechanic vacancies.

• although I do concede that having options is useful and completing the A levels would have it's benefits. I just wouldn't want to risk the apprenticeship.

Not the point but why is he VOLUNTEERING for a profit-making company?! Sounds rather exploitative!

I missed that
You are right. Work experience is one thing but they should at the minimum be paying him an apprentice wage.

Speak to a career advisor at the school or elsewhere.
Make sure there is no benefit in completing the A levels such as helping him gain further automotive qualifications, like electrical or design, within his chosen field.

If the business will wait I'd be tempted to ask DS to complete the A levels. What if he, after a short while, changes his mind about his career path and decides to study online uni part time?

Congratulations, Op, on having a child who volunteers and learns skills and is offered a wonderful chance due to his work ethic.