Apprenticeships: Myth or reality?

[sassyannie]

My son has been applying for apprenticeships through the apprenticeship.org.uk website. Trouble is the deadline for applications passes and low and behold the same apprenticeship is readvertised. What is going on here? It seems to be so much harder for our kids to get on the job market! Has anyone's kids actually managed to get through the system and get one of these apprenticeships? And are they worth their salt?

Do is a gas engineer and his employer has taken on 2 who seem to be doing ok. But my friend who does careers advisory says that she's amazed at how many with good grades are being turned down.

What sort of apprenticeships is he applying for? Has he tried any offered through local FE colleges?

Unfortunately apprenticeships are currently a really mixed bag - I manage a sixth form and some of the opps advertised on that site are outstanding and some our students don't even hear back from. Which ones is he applying for? Happy for you to pm me and can ask our careers adviser which kosher and which less quality assured.

DS has been applying for 2 years - not sure they are real

I've been wondering this too. Lurking to find out more!

I did an apprenticeship in Germany, and I think a lot of people hear about German system and think its the same here, but from what I understand, it is very hit and miss here.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-33983048

This was interesting.

We need to do more for our young people. There is a confusing array of things called apprenticeships. All the really good ones want the same people, ie the AAB canditates.

Otherwise, it is hard to tell what they are. Some of them are courses for people who already have jobs and some are dead end jobs for people on the courses.

DS was interviewed by an agency for a firm of solicitors who wanted a website. It was not clear what the training was, what support there was and building a professional website needs a lot more than untested coding skills.

Lots of DC's friends seem to be going through the apprenticeship route. I dont know the ins and outs of it all though.
My dd did her work experience at a SN school and was offered a 1 year apprenticeship from that. However it did not involve any outside education so she may go on to it as a gap year (they have said they will wait)
I know apprentices in the construction industry who still go to college and get a qualification through that as well. Another boy has just done a Siemens apprenticeship which seems very good.