Degree Apprenticeship - tips

[stubiff]

If DC are going through the application process at the moment, or have just started one, would be grateful for any tips please:
How to sell yourself.
What skills/traits/behaviours do they look for the most.
What is the applicants to positions ratio (how hard are they to get, understand will be partly based on sector/size of firm).
That sort of thing.
Thanks.

It really depends on the sector I would think.

The company where I did my training contract after finishing my Law degree offered law degree apprenticeships and they would usually get around 6000 applicants with only 4 positions available, so very competitive, but I do think that’s common with law ones not sure about others. The vast majority of those people would be weeded out in the initial online assessments, then those who made it through had to submit video interview questions which got marked and the best of those ones were invited to an assessment centre which was over 2 days and really quite intense, the most successful there were then invited to interviews in person with senior management. It was a long and difficult process, lots of people would apply and then stop bothering as it was too much hassle, but still a lot of competition.

The other thing to consider (depending on your child’s age) is that people of all ages apply for these not just A Level leavers so you could have the best CV possible for an 18 year old fresh out of sixth form and then at assessment centre you’re potentially up against hundreds of 23/24 year olds who did their A Levels and then have worked in the sector for years since then so they have the grades plus years of relevant experience which obviously helps them excel and stand out above the others. My best advice on that would be to try and get as much relevant experience as possible but as I say time dictates how much of that is possible. I never knew of any time where I worked there that an 18 year old would get the positions purely because there were always slightly older candidates with equally amazing grades but a fuller CV & more experience to stand out, that may be different in different sectors though.

All you can do is try your best, what they are looking for and how to sell yourself depends on what sector it is, what degree and what role. One of my friends managed to get one a couple of years ago with a Tech Software company and I know they said they had 5000 applicants for 3 roles, one of the things they did to stand out though was had “built” something (I’m not very techy so don’t fully understand what it was) and it used certain systems & code that the company they were applying to had recently started using, finding people who could manipulate and built it was tricky I think and so he was told that was one of the reasons he were hired above others. So depending on the specific sector there are ways to stand out but in lots of them it’s a bit like buying a lottery ticket now.

https://www.instituteforapprenticeships.org/apprenticeship-standards/

Find the relevant apprenticeship standard here. This will give guidance on the knowledge, skills and behaviours they will be developing throughout the apprenticeship.

The two I know who got them this year.
Solicitor apprentice (regional firm) Not sure applicant numbers but final hurdle was 9 of them had to do power point presentation to panel of partners for 1 role. One question was balancing study with work. She got it in gap year after A levels - had A grades with 9 months full time decent customer facing office work (plus several years customer facing pt work during A levels) and had balanced an extra business A level in that year.
Accountancy. Got it yr 13. All A star grades predicted (and achieved) and two years decent pt job.
In my limited experience actually paid working and studying during A levels seems to be key plus A/Astar grades.

@Mrsttcno1 Coincidentally, looking at Law. Although other options are Finance and Business Management. Side issue of not really knowing career path, but starting to find these things out. At this stage is preferring an apprenticeship.

Would also be local/regional around Leeds/Yorkshire.

I recruit solicitor apprentices. Often 200-500 applicants per place. It is insanely competitive. I recruited in Leeds previously for a large international law firm and we took on 5 apprentices that year.

In terms of what they look for - interesting stuff. Like people who have had a part time job (team work/resilience/communication skills etc), people who have leadership positions and have extra curriculars. Key for me was why law and their understanding of balancing work and study. Six years is a long time to commit to when you are 18ish. We wanted to see people who were passionate and committed and could demonstrate how they would balance everything.

@Sharpkat
Thanks very much.
Would you be able to share the Leeds firm, by PM if you prefer, please.
Understand if not.

@stubiff will share the name via PM but they don't recruit every year in Leeds and have not announced the location for 2025 yet.

My dc did a higher apprenticeship and moved away from home to do it, so don’t be afraid to look in a lot of locations. I’ve heard some people only look in areas local to them, or a London commute.

(Dc did accountancy, so technically not a degree but a professional qualification. Also, accountancy covers several areas, not just auditing/bookeeping, so maybe worth looking at accountancy if he’s interested in business)

https://www.ey.com/en_uk/careers/students/schools

@Fireworknight
Thanks, yes, Accountancy is a possibility and would come under my Finance. And L6 and L7 would be options.
Spoke to DC about location this morning and they were open to trying further afield, for an apprenticeship, as they would possibly/probably be doing that if they chose Uni.

They seems to be like hen’s teeth to be honest! I know lots of YP who were going to apply to these programmes, I only know two who got them: both are with the police.

I know a couple who are doing professional book keeping or accountancy qualifications.

They are such a great idea, but demand is definitely outstripping supply- at least in my part of the country. A real shame.

I'm in Local Authority finance/procurement and we had around 400 applications for two posts. Probably the most competitive posts in the council!

Apart from the obvious (organised, decent grades, good written and verbal communication and so on) we look for candidates who are ready to join the workplace. That doesn't necessarily mean they need to have previous paid employment experience but they need to demonstrate they understand the importance of timekeeping, prioritising work, how to contribute appropriately in meetings, working in a team. Leadership skills are a big selling point. It's a job and they are competing against mature applicants (albeit a small proportion of applicants are over 21). Of course there is some easing in and understanding they are inexperienced, but equally they will be working from day 1 and need to be capable of that.

Imo higher apprenticeships are harder than degrees as you need to balance significant study with working 3 days a week, you need to demonstrate a good head on your shoulders.

@stubiff I think that was our theory also. If he’d gone to uni (he had a place and deferred it for a year before declining it) he’d move away, so no different.

Is there a complete list of apprenticeships anywhere? I've looked at various databases but they all seem different. Is there an apprenticeship version of UCAS where ALL apprenticeships are listed?

@downwindofyou

www.skillsforcareers.education.gov.uk/pages/training-choice/apprenticeships

Also look at individual companies, but be creative. I know someone doing HR apprenticeship in British Airways, and someone else who did an IT apprenticeship in the NHS.

The Gov site is like a job advert site, so it’s not like UCAS showing a full list. Bearing in mind that it’s employer led so new ones will come up and maybe a firm offering them before doesn’t this year.

@Fireworknight
Yes, sometimes good to look at companies you’d like to work for and see what options/pathways they have.

Sorry, hadn’t clicked on the link.

Other resources-

https://notgoingtouni.co.uk/parents

My 18yo has recently started an apprenticeship working in insolvency. He'll do level 4 AAT, then probably ACCA, then insolvency exams if he wants to carry on.

It isn't a "degree apprenticeship", but it has the professional qualifications.

He applied for a number of degree apprenticeships, but didn't get past the online stages. He then stopped to concentrate on his A'levels. After finishing his exams he contacted all the local insolvency practitioners on spec, got an interview with one and was offered the job. They weren't actually advertising but were thinking about it, so just a case of right time, right place.

The accountancy practice I work for takes 18yo on level 3 or 4 AAT, followed by ACCA or ICAEW. Again, not a degree although I think with ACCA you can add another bit to get a degree.

https://nationalapprenticeshipevents.co.uk

@Dearover Thanks.

For others, have summarised the L7 Solicitor entry:
Questioning. Listening.
Analysing, evaluating and presenting information accurately and clearly.
Researching. Advising.
Communication. Negotiating.
Developing strategies and solutions.
Creating documents. Accuracy.
Advocating for something/someone.
Honesty. Integrity.
Professionalism. Judgement.

Link Some tips courtesy of @OrangeSofa1

Consider the company you are doing the apprenticeship with - are they in a good financial position? Likely to merge, or be taken over? Might they decide on a change of direction? Might they move location in the UK or move significant operations offshore?

I know a couple of graduate apprentices whose apprenticeships have changed significantly since they started due to changes at the business. Neither for the better.

https://feweek.co.uk/all-level-7-apprenticeships-will-be-axed-skills-minister-suggests/#:~:text=Prime%20minister%20Keir%20Starmer%20announced,Labour's%20party%20conference%20in%20September.

@TrumptonsFireEngine
Puts the cat amongst the pigeons.
Guess it won’t be for Sep ‘25 start if something happens.