Become ‘Job’ Ready
Subjects taught in schools, colleges and universities are learning programmes, and so is an apprenticeship. With an apprenticeship, however, you get to learn both in the workplace as well as in the classroom. You will have a paid work placement with an employer and time set aside for other learning, usually at a college, training provider or university.
As an apprentice, you will achieve qualifications and you will need to build certain skills and knowledge (standards) by the end of the apprenticeship. The idea is that you become ‘job ready’ but an apprenticeship is already a real job where the apprentice is an employee with a contract of employment, holiday leave and a wage.
Most job sectors offer apprenticeships, but apprenticeships do not always exist for all job roles. With the National Health Service (NHS) for example, it is currently possible to train to become a Nurse/Doctor via a Degree Apprenticeship.
On an apprenticeship, you’re employed to do a real job while studying for a formal qualification. By the end of your apprenticeship, you’ll hopefully have gained the skills and knowledge needed to either succeed in your chosen career or progress onto the next apprenticeship level.
There are four different levels of apprenticeship:
Most job sectors offer apprenticeship opportunities in the UK, with a wide range of specific roles on offer within each.
Find out more information here https://www.prospects.ac.uk/jobs-and-work-experience/
Finding a Good Apprenticeship.
Ask yourself: Does the apprenticeship fit in with my career interest and aspirations? If you are excited to apply, then this is a good sign.
www.ucas.com/understanding-apprenticeships/how-apply-apprenticeship/finding-good-apprenticeship
The apprenticeship should list its standards and outline how you will be trained and assessed. Does it? Ask your careers adviser for support if you are unsure.
You will need to consider whether you like the employer and also the learning provider (the college, training provider or other learning venue) which will be involved in delivering the apprenticeship.
You should also ask the employer and learning provider questions at, or even before, interview. For example: Do their staff enjoy working there? Do they allow ample time for your study? Is it one day a time, or in blocks? What happens after your apprenticeship? Is there scope to progress? Will you be expected to work overtime? Do their staff feel supported by their personal goals?
Where can I find Apprenticeship Vacancies?
There are lots of search tools online, you can simply do a google search and you can visit the websites of the employers you are interested in directly. However, these are some of the best search tools that are worth checking regularly: