1. Choosing an Apprenticeship
On behalf of
National Careers Service

2. What exactly is an apprenticeship?
A job with learning built-in
Designed to prepare you for employment
Lasting from one to five years
On an apprenticeship you will:
Develop relevant skills
Earn while you learn
Gain a qualification.

3. Apprenticeships are available at various levels:
Which level?
Apprenticeships are available at various levels:
Intermediate – level 2 (like GCSE)
Generally requires GCSEs at D or above
Advanced – level 3 (like A level)
Generally requires GCSEs at C
Higher – level 4 and over (Higher Education level)
Generally requires A levels or equivalent
Degree – level 6 and over (undergraduate degree level)
Entry requirements tend to be similar to degree programmes
Now being introduced in new job areas including engineering, surveying, laboratory science and digital.

4. The process
WAES in partnership the National Careers Service will support you in moving towards the most suitable option for you, be it university, an apprenticeship or any other option.
Today, we’ll focus on apprenticeships.
Top Tip: if you’re considering an apprenticeship, start preparing now.
You’ll need to think about the job sectors you may be interested in.
You might need to take action now to improve your chances of success.
Decision-making deadlines often arrive sooner that you anticipate.

5. Choosing an apprenticeship: the method
Follow the FIRST framework:
Focus – have you narrowed down your options?
Information – how much do you know?
Realism – how realistic is your plan?
Scope – do you understand the range of options?
Tactics – how will you make this plan a reality?

6. Focus Stage 1: What could you do? Stage 2: Where could you do it?
Consider your current subjects, career ideas, work experience, interests and strengths.
Stage 2: Where could you do it?
Start to look at:
Content of different apprenticeships
Academic requirements
Any other requirements
Location and ease of travel.

7. Focus: what is important to you?
apprenticeship availability
timing and frequency of recruitment
opportunity to gain professional qualifications
number of places available
type of employer
applications per place
quality of training
drop-out and completion rates
style of training (day release, block release etc)
post-apprenticeship opportunities
level of apprenticeship offered
distance from home
length of apprenticeship
practical considerations.

8. Focus: how should you decide?
How do you prefer to make decisions?
Gather information and weigh up pros and cons
Seek advice
Go with your instincts
Close your eyes and hope for the best
See which opportunities look interesting and apply for those
Or a combination of these things?

9. Focus: decision-making
The McDonalds tendency
Stick with what you know
‘Nothing bad happened last time I did this’
“People don’t want the best burger in the world, they want one which tastes just like the one they had last time.”
Ray Kroc, founder of McDonalds

10. Focus: decision-making
The empty restaurant syndrome
Two restaurants, equal in every way.
One is empty, the other has people in it.
Which one do you choose?
Choosing the unfamiliar (eg an apprenticeship) could leave you with a slight feeling of unease.
“Nothing draws a crowd quite like a crowd.”
PT Barnum, 19th Century Showman

11. Focus: what might suit me?
Student 1 studies BTEC Extended Diploma in Construction and Built Environment
His work experience was at a firm of architects.
Away from college, he enjoys art and technology.
What could he do?

12. Student 1 Structural technician apprenticeship (Revit/AutoCAD)
“An exciting opportunity for a motivated person to join our CAD/ BIM team. You will be working on high profile and interesting projects. Candidates should have an interest in building projects and Building Information Modelling. As a Structural Technician you will be working together with Engineers to design buildings and produce drawings for a variety of different projects. Our projects have won several awards recently, including the Institution of Structural Engineers Supreme Award for Engineering 2011 for the Olympic Velodrome and Building’s 2012 Engineering Consultant of the Year award.“
£250 per week
Monday – Friday 37 hours per week (including 1 day at college)
Advanced level apprenticeship: 2 – 3 years

13. Focus: what might suit me?
Student 2 is studying A levels in Economics, Maths and Chemistry.
She would like to work in finance or accounting.
She is also interested in fashion, textiles and interiors.
What could she do?

14. Student 2 Apprentice Finance Assistant
Working for a well-known international producer of fragrances, candles and skincare.
£ per week
Mon - Fri 40 hours per week
18 months minimum
Advanced Level Apprenticeship
“This is a great opportunity for someone who would like to start a career in accountancy, allowing you to gain a qualification and experience whilst earning a wage. Reporting to the Financial Controller you will be responsible for the purchase ledger, placing purchase orders, payments, raising sales invoices and bank reconciliations.”

15. Information: websites
Self-awareness
Morrisby Online or Kudos Online (your sixth form or college may subscribe to these)
Skills Health Check (nationalcareersservice.direct.gov.uk/tools/skillshealthcheck)
Buzz Test (icould.com/buzz)
Careers information
National Careers Service (nationalcareersservice.direct.gov.uk)
icould (icould.com)
Apprenticeship vacancies:
Company websites – look for careers, recruitment or working for us sections
School leaver opportunity websites eg All About School Leavers, Milkround School Leavers or Not Going to Uni
Recruitment agency websites

16. Information: other sources
Other sources include:
Apprenticeship events
Employer open days or insight days
Careers advisers
Employers

17. Information: the influencers
Who or what might influence your decisions?
Friends
Parents and family members
Teachers or Careers Advisers
Employers or their representatives

18. Realism What exactly are you applying for?
What is the apprenticeship provider looking for?
What will you be expected to know?
What can go wrong?
What are the barriers?

19. Realism: aren’t apprenticeships just for practical jobs?
No!
You can become fully qualified and gain professional accreditation
All of the following job roles are accessible through an apprenticeship:
engineer
accountant
veterinary nurse
surveyor
laboratory scientist or technician
project manager
legal executive (solicitors’ apprenticeships expected from late 2015)
journalist
and many more.

20. Realism: don’t graduates earn more?
The graduate salary premium is reducing (BIS, 2014).
Median graduate salary in England £31,000
Average non-graduate salary £22,000.
Apprentices start earning sooner.
Apprentices don’t have university debt to pay off (average £44k, IFS).
Apprenticeships can still offer a route to a graduate salary.

21. Realism: pay, terms and conditions
Apprentices are normally expected to work for at least 30 hours per week.
Young workers under 18 must not exceed 8 hours work a day or 40 hours per week.
Entitled to rest breaks and paid holidays.
Apprentices aged under 19 years should be paid:
£3.30 per hour from October 2015.
Apprentices aged 19 and over should be paid:
Wages as above for the first year of their apprenticeship
Thereafter eligible for the full National Minimum Wage for their age.

22. Scope: A-Z of apprenticeships
Arup
Built environment (
BaxterStorey
Contract catering (
Cap Gemini
Consulting, technology, outsourcing (
Digital Apprentice from Creative Process
Creative digital apprenticeships (digital- apprentice.co.uk)
EDF
Smart metering apprentice (
Fashion Enter
Fashion and textile industry (
Google
Recruited in 2014 through Arch Apprenticeships
HIT Training
Hotel and catering (
Investment 2020
Asset management (
JTL Training
Electrical & plumbing (
Kaplan
Accountancy & finance (kaplanapprenticeships.co.uk)
Lloyds Banking Group
Finance, marketing & IT

23. Scope: A-Z apprenticeships
Mott Macdonald
Civil Engineering & Building (
National Grid
Engineering and other roles (careers.nationalgrid.com)
Optima Legal
Legal apprenticeships (360.optimalegal.co.uk)
PGA
Golf Apprenticeship (
QA Apprenticeships
IT, project management, marketing & business
apprenticeships.qa.com
REMIT
Automotive and other roles (
Savile Row Bespoke Association
Tailoring (
Transport for London
Finance, engineering, surveying, operations
Uxbridge College
one of many colleges delivering apprenticeships
Virgin Media
range of apprenticeships (careers.virginmedia.com)
Williams F1
Motor racing engineering (
(X) Next Gen Skills Academy
Games and VFX (
(Y) Sky
Media, business, customer service or technology
jobs.sky.com
ZenithOptimedia
Marketing (creativepioneers.london)

24. Tactics Making it happen: Build up your work experience
Develop your employability skills
Get organised

25. Tactics: applying Where? When? How? Prepare
Company websites
Or via an apprenticeship provider
When?
Large companies might start recruiting up to a year in advance
Smaller companies often recruit throughout the year as and when they need someone
How?
Application form CV
Prepare
Research the company
Make sure you meet the job specification.

26. What next? Start thinking Build your experience Start your research
Online
Employer events and visits
Recommendations
Get advice.