Rachel Crowder Rachel.crowder@sheffield.gov.uk Apprenticeships Rachel Crowder Rachel.crowder@sheffield.gov.uk

What is an apprenticeship? A job with an employer Paid a wage and have a contract of employment Receive paid holiday You gain a nationally recognised qualification. You gain job specific skills and valuable industry experience. Go in to detail about what each bullet point means especially how job specific skills will look great on your CV. Emphasise on the main parts of the apprenticeships including the fact that it is a job with a salary and progression within companies who we work with due to small and medium size businesses.

1 in 3 apprenticeship vacancies is in business administration Who are they for? People who want to get into work and start their career early, either after GCSE’s or A Levels People with positive attitudes; enthusiasm, and willingness to learn Able to balance studying and working at the same time There are over 1500 job roles available by the apprenticeship route! This means it’s very likely that your chosen career path is possible via this route. 1 in 3 apprenticeship vacancies is in business administration

Higher Degree Advanced Intermediate

Advantages Earn money, kick start a successful career Gain crucial work experience and become more employable Debt free training (this includes degrees) Progression: Nationally, 90% of apprentices continue employment with their apprenticeship employer or find employment with another company. More than 1500 different types of apprenticeships, from construction to engineering, from beauty to catering to the more abstract (extra ordinary) apprenticeships such as a drone pilot or creative, digital and social media marketing. You could also train to become a spy with the MI5/MI6. Really emphasise the progression part of the slide. Progression through the vocational side of the apprenticeship and progression through the company. Successful career- really push.

Bridie Mulgrew OCCUPATION: Marketing Assistant, Level 4 WHERE: Wake Smith Solicitor. WHAT SHE SAID: “The best part is probably that you get to know what it is like in a work place straight away, rather than going to college or sixth form, getting paid for a job is great too.” ADVICE: “I would definitely recommend it, I have had this job now for three years, I have worked my way up into new job roles at Wake Smith Solicitors” Here are some of our very own candidates who have been through the Skills Made Easy process. Bridie Mulgrew, Owen Hartley. This is Bridie, she works …..

Advice BE PREPARED! Look at widely advertised apprenticeships Good Maths and English grades are a priority. Make sure your social media profiles are private and photos are appropriate. Keep an open mind, always have a back up plan. Keep applying for apprenticeships, even if you’ve started your course at college/6th form – beware of starting Level 3 vocational courses Be prepared: Not like a college or 6th form application- competitive, similar to applying for a full time position. Ensure your cv is as up to date and as impressive as possible, interview techniques up to scratch. The impetus is on you to contact employers, follow up applications. Drive and determination to successfully get the apprenticeship is what you need however the benefits are worth it. Not just with apprenticeships or Skills Made Easy but always have a back up plan- story about me not getting into Uni. Chance to do maths and english quals during apprenticeship however achievening good maths and english grades are a priority. Widely advertised apprenticeships- NAS, colleges, employment websites. Keep an open mind- the job and industry you think is your dream job may not be when you start a specific job in that industry. May not suit you the way you think.

Actions Look on DAS www.findapprenticeship.service.gov.uk/apprenticeshipsearch ‘Amazing Apprenticeships’ is also a very good website to find out more Go direct to companies you’d like to work for Start getting your CV together and practice interview techniques What to do next? Throughout the academic year we can assist with CV help, to make you stand out from the crowd and also interview practice, explain that interviews can be daunting even for experienced people however you are interviewing the employer as much as they are interviewing you. Work Experience is key if you can get it. A lot of employers now look at work based learning as a more important feature to become employed rather than grades and academic success.

Any Questions? Any questions. Explain about brochures and if they are interested we will work with them throughout the year to ensure that they are apprenticeship ready and will be completely ready to go straight from school in to an apprenticeship. If there is not time for questions say you will be on a stand and willing to answer any questions.