Is a Level 3 apprenticeship qualification worth anything?

[thebigwave]

DS (16) has been offered an apprenticeship with a local business, studying Level 3 Business Administration. He's got GCSEs and is at college but isn't enjoying it so thought an apprenticeship might be better for him.

I assumed this would gain UCAS points allowing him to progress onto perhaps an HNC in Business but it appears you don't get UCAS points from an apprenticeship.

So now we're not sure if it's the right thing to do. Does anyone have any experience of apprenticeships and whether or not you can go onto higher education?

Surely an apprenticeship leads into a job or trade so you don't need to go to university?
Isn't that the point?

There's no guarantee of a job at the end of the apprenticeship.

Plus, it would be good to keep his options open for the future.

The level 3 qualification he should be taking as part of the apprenticeship will give him entry to HE if he does well enough.

He is quite academic and did well in his GCSEs but is very young and college just isn't for him.

But if it doesn't gain UCAS points how can he go onto HE?

Would it enable him to do foundation year if he wanted?

HE education not for all and this might be his thing.

I think it depends on the apprenticeship. Some have an academic component that it is accredited but not all do. I would advise him to stick with college if he is academic.

Why do you think it eon't get ucas points or grades? Is it a full or extended accredited level 3?

It's nothing to do with the apprenticeship bit with HE. An apprenticeship is simply a route to achieving a qualification. If it's an extended level 3 diploma he's studying, it'll be enough UCAS points. A regular level 3 diploma isn't quite enough points. But it doesn't mean he can't get into university. My home educated daughter got an unconditional offer with no GCSEs, only functional skills maths and English and a regular level 3 diploma. She's half way through now. Higher and degree apprenticeships have different entry requirements, so if he likes being an apprentice, he could go onto study a degree as an apprentice. Many options. Encourage him just to enjoy life and do what makes him feel capable and fulfills him.

is It accredited? If so it should be recognised, you could speak to UCAS to find out.

in another note, if he isn’t enjoying college what makes you think he will enjoy university?

He could start with a L3 and then start moving upwards to a L6 Degree Apprenticeship although this would be over a longer space of time than A-levels to Degree but if he isn't academic then this is a great route.

I think we need to have another conversation with the college who'll be doing the training as they've told us it won't gain UCAS points.

He isn't enjoying college as he's very young for his age and is finding it overwhelming.

He is quite academic but he's not happy and I can't see the point in making him stay.

There's nothing to say that when he's older he won't be ready to study so we want to keep all options open.

Where I work the apprentices are in a good position to then look for other similar jobs as its given them real work skills other 18 year olds won't have.

But I'd assume they weren't going to uni tbh. I imagine there are different types of apprenticeships...?

I honestly have no idea if it's full or extended. Just know it's a Level 3 in Business Administration run by the local FE college. And it doesn't gain UCAS points.

My daughter did a Level 3 apprenticeship, and like you, we assumed it was equivalent to 3 A Levels and it turns out it's not.

She applied for University at the end of it in the same subject and got four offers. One university clearly didn't understand and we would have pushed it, but it wasn't her preferred choice or insurance anyway.

So I think it probably depends on what subject he might follow it with at University.

My advice would be to give it a go - if he's not enjoying what he's doing at the moment, even if he ends up doing a foundation year or access course, it's better to give it a go. Apprenticeships are not an easier option though - there's still the college work, essays and assignments and exams, with (nearly) full time employment on top..

I think some are amd some arent accredited. I am also someone who likes to keep doors open as i did a degree equivilent qualification and when i wanted to be a teacher it wasnt recognised.
I would clarify the situation with college and then also see if there are any other apprenticeships around that are accredited in some way.

It's a City and Guilds Level 3 Diploma in Business Administration. Definitely no UCAS points, but can lead onto a Level 4/5/6 apprenticeship.

@clearspilt he hasn't left college yet as he has nothing to go to, the college are aware of how he's feeling and being supportive.

He did reasonably well in his GCSEs, a mixture of 5s, 6s and 7s. Although some on Mumsnet don't think they are particularly good grades. He hasn't said he doesn't want to go on to HE, so we're trying to keep his options open.

He would persevere with A Levels for now.

Do you have anything to add regarding the merits of the apprenticeship?

He could do the apprenticeship, see where it leads, and do an access to HE course later which would make him eligible?