A levels or apprenticeship

[Whatnextcrazyworld]

DS has just finished Year 11 at a private school where he is predicted 7s and 8s in his GCSEs. He hasn't particularly enjoyed the last two years and has previously said that he's not keen on doing A levels. I've been open to looking at apprenticeships but am being told that it would be a big mistake not to do A levels. DS isn't interested in going to uni but has "accepted" that he will stay on for sixth form - I'm concerned that he's agreed to this for the wrong reasons. [We've discussed going to college for a change but he's clear that he'd rather stay at his current school if he does study A levels.]

My family are insistent that all employers will expect A levels and that they would think it very odd that a pupil from an independent school would not have A levels. It's very long time since my husband and I went to school and the world is totally different to when we started work.

If you have experience of going straight to an apprenticeship after GCSEs, can you clarify whether you can do to a Level 3 (which I understand is equivalent to two A levels) or are most of them Level 2 at age 16.

[quote HappySonHappyMum]@Whatnextcrazyworld Happy to help - I had absolutely no experience of apprenticeships myself as I went to Uni many moons ago - so it was a steep learning curve that took many months to navigate - the whole process from application to offer took 6 months so it was a slow burn. But it was so worth it as I've never seen my DS so happy with the choice he made [/quote]
Wonderful! To be healthy and happy is the number one priority.

I've never seen an apprenticeship which isn't finance or engineering based
🤔

Where I work apprenticeships are offered In IT, social care, graphic design, social work, sport and leisure and digital media.
Business, Administrative & Accounting Apprenticeships are also offered.
My son's friend had an apprenticeship in IT at the large hospital. He is now out of is 'time' for a couple of years and is on an excellent wage and progressing well with his career. One of the girls in his peer group got an interior design apprenticeship a few years ago and has set up her own company just before Covid. Sure a bit of a set back but things ha e really picked up this summer.
Apprenticeships are not just about engineering or finance!

I've never seen an apprenticeship which isn't finance or engineering based
Within dcs friends , there have been rug making and travel.these were not degree.
Ds did a level 4 apprenticeship at his current company, but that was after he started and made for him in pharmaceuticals and as previously said he is starting the degree apprenticeship in september

I forgot to say, i heard through work there is money being thrown at hospitality trade for training at the moment for apprenticeships as there is a shortage of staff

My son gets his results today - BTECs in engineering and computer science and A level Geography. He’s known all along he doesn’t want to go to uni and during 6th form has realised a computer or engineering route isn’t for him. He started to dabble in stocks with his weekend job earnings, has help to buy ISA and is now starting a paraplanning apprenticeship next month with a view to a career as an IFA.

Where I work apprenticeships are offered In IT, social care, graphic design, social work, sport and leisure and digital media

Are these degree level apprenticeships?

OP in your son's shoes I'd look at doing a BTEC or combination of single BTEC and A levels and then look for a degree level apprenticeship.

A level 2/3 apprenticeship sounds like it would be aiming too low, based on your ds' academics.

@Bellarime

My son gets his results today - BTECs in engineering and computer science and A level Geography. He’s known all along he doesn’t want to go to uni and during 6th form has realised a computer or engineering route isn’t for him. He started to dabble in stocks with his weekend job earnings, has help to buy ISA and is now starting a paraplanning apprenticeship next month with a view to a career as an IFA.

Bellarime Good for him and I hope your DS's results are what he's expecting. I do think that sometimes just "knowing" what you don't want to do, helps put you on the right path.

A degree is not important or necessary to everyone.

With regard to learning to invest, I suggested to my DH that he hands over the eye-watering £35K [that it will cost at the fee-paying school to acquire A levels over 2 years] and teach DS how to invest it wisely. I think DS would like this idea

igelkott Thank you. I need to remove the voice from his head (ie from school) that BTECs are second rate. I will certainly be showing him these responses and looking at what available that may suit him.

Are these degree level apprenticeships?Many of them are.
I work for a large county council which has embraced apprenticeships and we often see In the digital news update how well people are doing. Theres usually a photo of them in their gown once they have their degree and pictures of them promoting apprenticeship week once a year. The apprenticeships are not just for teens though. A r colleague aged 46 was sucessful on applying for a social work apprenticeship . She nearly had the offer withdrawn because she ocouldn't find her math and English GCSE results!