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!