Apprenticeship after Alevels?

[Greendayz]

Is anyone else's teen looking into an apprenticeship after Alevels?

DS (Y13) had been planning a gap year with a post-results application to uni to do engineering. But he's really not been enjoying studying and is now thinking about an apprenticeship instead. Grades will most likely be around ACC which wouldn't qualify him for most engineering courses anyway. We've found a few apprenticeships but the process of finding them and applying seems very haphazard. It's not coordinated like UCAS is. Also very time consuming with Alevels looming.

The one he's most inspired by so far isn't local so he'd be moving away. That seems scary at just 18 to be looking for somewhere to live in a strange town with no uni support.

Has anyone's teen done this? Any advice?

www.ucas.com/degree-apprenticeships

We looked at degree level apprenticeships - UCAS has information on these - pls see the link.

My DS applied to uni and for a degree apprenticeship after weighing up the uni offers and the apprenticeship offer he is taking the apprenticeship. Luckily for him the university partnering with the employer was his 1st choice via UCAS. So once his apprenticeship is finished he will have the honours degree he wanted alongside 4 years of work experience.

I would say though that this means he is staying at home with a view to hopefully being able to organise a flat share with some of his fellow apprentices next year. That way he has a year to getting used to what will be a demanding work/study schedule before having to worry about everything else that come with moving out of the home without the pastoral support that others will get through the standard uni route.

Unfortunately I don’t think you can get round the time consuming part of apprenticeship application - each potential employer will have their own process but something along the lines of a strong personal statement which can be tailored with some facts relevant to each employer should help.

Thanks very much celtie. I'd actually not found that website - just the government one that lists all types of apprenticeship, most of which are for age 16+. That UCAS one is better and I found a couple on there that look promising and have sent the links to DS. One is local to us.

DS is up for the idea of leaving home and renting a room if he needs to. He's quite capable and self-reliant. But yes it does seem a lot to take on at once - 4 day a week job, part-time college and also fending for yourself at home and in a new town. I'd rather he could find a local one and leave home in his own time, like your DS is planning to.

Could I ask how many apprenticeships your DS applied for? They all seem to be on different timescales, so I'm unsure what you do if you get multiple offers, or how many he should go for to be likely to get a place.

To be honest Green the whole apprenticeship thing was very last minute for us as the UCAS application process and university had been the main focus for our DS, I hadn't appreciated that degree apprenticeships existed so hadn't really done any research. My DS applied pretty much last minute for one apprenticeship (which was recommended to him) in his chosen area of interest. Fortunately it worked out well - I wouldn't recommend this very targeted approach!

If we were to do this again - which we might as I have a few more DC to get through school!! We'd start looking earlier - it would be easy to go overboard and apply for loads but I'd focus on quality employers linked with good universities - perhaps with a view to around 6 applications. If you get invited to interview the interview process could be quite time consuming so def quality over quantity. Timescales are set by the individual employers, many deadlines for starting sept/oct this year will probably have passed. If your DC is still thinking of a gap year - he could research which apprenticeships to apply for with a view to starting next year.

If you get multiple offers - look at the overall package, salary, training, future prospects etc. exactly the same as you would if you were weighing up a job offer because that's what you are doing. Accept the one that is the best fit for your DC. Good news if you get one, no tuition fees or student loans to worry about. I would also focus on employees that bring on a decent number of apprentices each year as this will be the cohort that your DC will spend a lot of time with, build relationships - the same as they would if they were at university.

For the actual interview process the focus for your DC is demonstrating their 'passion' for their chosen industry plus a big focus on interpersonal skills, can they work in a team, can they communicate well, contribute their ideas while listening to others etc.

Post my DC applying I've done a lot of research my understanding is that competition can be very fierce - I think this type of apprenticeship will become even more competitive as people realise what a great opportunity they offer.

One final point - don't wait until the deadline to apply - the earlier the better. Some employers will start interviewing once they have enough applicants and make offers as they go - if you wait until the deadline all the places may have already been offered.

Good luck to your DC.

Awe, thanks very much for that. Really helpful . DH and I have 6 teens between us, but the older ones have all gone to uni so far. And, like with yours, DS's focus had initially been on a uni application. He had planned to work for 9 months or so and then go travelling but for various reasons now plans to travel this summer instead, meaning he'd be free to start an apprenticeship in the autumn.

Anyway, he's had a productive day today and now has a total of 6 applications in. Will have to see how they go!