Alternatives to Higher Education

Sarah GerrardIndependent Careers Adviser

Three main options

Apprenticeships

Employment with training/prospects

Gap Year(s)

Apprenticeships Gain nationally recognised qualifications – often

NVQ

Training and assessment in workplace with attendance at college or training centre

Intermediate = Level 2 (GCSEs) entry into craft

Advanced = Level 3 (A levels) may require L2

Higher = Level 4 (sometimes includes Foundation degree)

Apprenticeships 16% businesses in W Mids offer or

currently have an apprentice

Minimum wage £2.68/hr = £101.84/wk

Average weekly wage = £175/wk

Employer can claim up to 50% of costs of training for 19-24 year olds

Apprenticeship frameworks Agriculture, Horticulture,

Animal welfare Arts, Media, Publishing Business, Administration,

Law, Finance sector Construction and Built

environment Hospitality, Event

management, marketing Engineering and

Manufacturing

Information Communication Technology

Health, Public services and Care

Leisure, Travel and Tourism including Air cabin crew

Retail and Commercial Enterprise

Education and Training including teaching support in schools

Larger Companies/National Schemes

More likely to offer apprenticeships than smaller organisations

Have limited, time-sensitive recruitment span

May involve living away from home

Examples National Grid Rolls Royce Jaguar Landrover KPMG Cap Gemini Thomas Cook Accor (hotels) John Lewis

National Health Local authorities Mettis Aerospace Barclays HSBC Morrisons Boots (based at

HQ in Nottingham)

Smaller/medium sized companies

Smaller companies recruit nearer the start date

Register with www.apprenticeships.org.uk and can search locally

Apply to training providers - eg New

College, CWT, Warwickshire College

Examples of current apprenticeship vacancies Nursery assistant

(Warwick) Horse Care (Moreton) Auto Tech (Stratford) Mech Eng (Redditch,

Alcester) Estate Agency

(Stratford) Recruitment (Alcester) Digital Marketing

(Redditch)

Dental Nurse (Redditch)

Web Design (Coventry, Redditch)

Gas Distrib (Redditch) Sales Asst (Studley) Website Admin

(Evesham) Busines Admin

(Alcester) Chef (Pershore)

OTHER LOCAL OPPORTUNITIES

NHS - healthcare assistant could lead to more specialised role

Hospitality or retail if chain has local vacancy

Classroom assistant – see www.wmjobs.co.uk

Jaguar Landrover (online) Mettiss Aerospace (open day)

Sponsored Degrees

Partnership between Company and University –full/part fees paid plus placement opportunities and training allowance

Live away from home

Some local eg Cap Gemini, Rolls Royce, JLR

Growing own workforce => permanent job

Learning programme designed to meet the needs of the company rather than your interests

Examples National Grid – partnership with 7 Universities

JCB – progression from higher apprenticeship

Rolls Royce and Experian - both in partnership with NTU Business School

KPMG – with Birmingham, Durham and Exeter six years

Deloitte Bright Start - ABB/BBB Maths AL not required

Morrisons - Business Mmt with Bradford Univ

Environment Agency – with UWE

Employment with prospects Grow your own career

Join a large or expanding organisation Chance to try a career before committing

to training Show enthusiasm and initiative Be prepared to study for professional

qualifications Develop good career management skillsSelf-employment - support from

Prince’s Trust

Where to look Local press inc online

Specialist press

Websites

Employment agencies

Networking – 29% job vacancies filled through word of mouth

Where to look online

www.apprenticeships.org.uk www.notgoingtouni.co.uk www.thebigchoice.com www.allaboutschoolleavers.co.uk www.directions.org.uk www.thescholarshiphub.org.uk/

sponsoreddegrees https://www.gov.uk/jobsearch

High levels of competition 800 apps for 60 places for PWC Headstart in 2010More applicants per place to BT than to Oxford

SO… Work out what you want – widen work

experience Develop leadership/team-building skills Get a part time job Learn to drive Search proactively – start surveying now

Gap Year and Volunteering

Personal development to help with longer term decisions which could take TWO years!

www.gap-year.com www.gapyear.co.uk www.yearoutgroup.org.uk

www.csv.org.uk www.do-it.org.uk www.vinspired.com

Other routes to a degree

Part- time study and work Foundation degree Open UniversitySupport from National Careers

Service once left AGS:https://nationalcareersservice.gov.uk

Careers interviews

Support with degree decisions too Complete questionnaire in form

time 4TH Feb Interviews start after mocks until

exam leave Tell us if your need is urgent! Remember to turn up!