CAREERS

Apprenticeships

  • Recruitment - Apprentices are either employed directly by an employer or through a training provider who will link you to a company looking for an Apprentice.

  • Induction Period - to help you to settle in & adjust to the world of work.

  • Placement - you’ll have a mentor who will support your work based training & ensure you’re making progress. You will also be assessed in the workplace.

  • Pay - Get paid a salary - this varies but can be anywhere from £150 - £300 p/wk to start depending on the level

  • Further Study / Training - You'll attend a college , training centre or a university (degree apprenticeships) for further training and to help you to gain your qualifications -

  • Day Release - 4 days a week on placement / 1 day a week at college / training centre / university

  • Block Release - several weeks on placement / one week at college / training centre / university

  • Degree apprenticeships - a real alternative to university - some careers where these are currently available include nursing, engineering, accountancy, business, construction & law & is expanding all the time.

Levels of Apprenticeship 

  • Level 1 / Foundation/Entry Level - equal to 2-3 GCSE's grade 3/4  (usually no GCSE's required for these)

  • Level 2 / Intermediate - approx equal to 4-5 GCSE’s grade 4

  • Level 3 / Advanced - equal to 3 A levels / BTEC level 3 qualifications

  • Level 4 / Higher - approx equal to the first 2 years of a degree

  • Level 5 & 6 / Degree - you’ll be studying for a degree part time at university - Academic learning will be provided by universities with the practical training element being delivered on the job by companies

 

What Qualifications Could You Get?

  • NVQ - National Vocational Qualifications

  • HND - Higher National Diploma = first 2 years of a degree

  • Degree - usually only available through Degree Apprenticeships but you may still be able to study part time for a degree with other types of apprenticeships such as a Higher apprenticeship.

  • Other Qualifications – for some jobs you may need other specific certificates eg: Health and Safety or First Aid.

What Do Employers Look For?

  • Foundation / Intermediate - from no GCSE' to 2-3 at grade 3/4. You may be asked to sit an aptitude test & you will probably need to continue studying for maths & English qualifications if you don't have a GCSE grade 4 in these.

  • Advanced / Higher / Degree Apprenticeships - GCSE’s / A levels or BTEC Level 3 qualifications but subject requirements and grades vary depending on the employer & level of Apprenticeship

Core skills - all employers look for 

  • A quick learner, good listener, and someone who can efficiently implement the training they receive. Apprenticeships are preparation for future careers, and employers want to hire workers who can develop their skills quickly and steadily improve their productivity over time.

  • Employers love problem solvers. Throughout the work day, minor problems always arise, and companies need employees who can think on their feet to fix or circumvent the obstacles that inevitably come up, without having to always rely on others for help.

  • Strong people skills are also a must have, and not only in jobs that involve customer service. In any profession, it's always important to work well alongside co-workers and bosses toward the company’s mutual goals.

  • Reliability is essential. Employers need their apprentices to show up on time, work hard, focus on their jobs and not miss work unnecessarily.

 

When / Where / How To Look For Opportunities

When

* Nov / July - is when the majority of school leaver opportunities are advertised

* Oct / Nov (of year 13) - for companies such as Jaguar Land Rover / BMW / Mondelez

Where

* Company websites / Speculative Applications - You can either wait for the vacancy to appear on the National Apprenticeship website or be proactive and look on company websites or their social media sites. If you think you would like to work for them then send them a speculative application - email & attach your CV - to find out about their apprenticeships & if & when they’ll be recruiting. 

* Apprenticeship / Career Fairs - lots more of these being held in the Midlands area now, I always pass details on to form tutors & will also advertise on the Careers Website Blog

* National Apprenticeship Website - www.apprenticeships.gov.uk  Register & search for opportunities from November onwards. There is also an app for this.

* Social Media - Twitter, Facebook, Instagram & LinkedIn - Employers are keen for their apprentices to be socially aware and proactive so using social media can be a great way to connect with prospective employers - Google companies in your chosen field, follow and learn more about them using social media & connect with them directly to find out about apprenticeship / career opportunities.

How

  • Apprenticeship website - Register with the National Apprenticeship website & search regularly for vacancies

  • Social media - follow companies / organisations you’re interested in

  • Make speculative Applications 

  • Google ‘marketing / engineering / media companies in B’ham’

  • have a look at their website to find out who they are, what they do, their ethos etc 

  • if you’re interested in applying to them send them a speculative email & attach your CV

  • ask about apprenticeships &/or work experience opportunities

  • see the template below that you can use/adapt for yourself.

 

Template for Apprenticeship / Job Speculative Email / Letter

Your name
Your address
Telephone number
E-mail
Company Name
Company Address

Date

Dear…… / Hello (if you don’t have a contact name)

I am currently a year 11 / 13 pupil at Bishop Walsh Catholic School in Sutton Coldfield & I am looking for a ……………….. apprenticeship to start Summer (year).  I am currently studying GCSE's / A levels in…………...

I have looked at your website & feel that your company / organisation would offer me an excellent environment in which to train for a career within the …………….  sector. I work well in a team & would work in a professional & respectful manner.

I would be grateful if you could let me know whether or not you might be recruiting any apprentices for next Summer. Please see my CV which I have attached to this email. 

Thank you for your time

Kind regards