a-z of apprenticeships

O F A P P R E N T I C E S H I P SO F A P P R E N T I C E S H I P S

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NCFE Apprenticeships are designed to help you build the skills and practical experience employers look for. With a wide range of nationally recognised programmes available, an NCFE Apprenticeship could help you realise your potential.

Find out more about NCFE Apprenticeships at ncfe.org.uk/apprenticeships.

Call: 0191 239 8000 Visit: ncfe.org.uk/apprenticeships

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A-Z of Apprenticeships 03

Welcome to the A-Z of Apprenticeships – everything you need to know about apprenticeships. Pay, entry, applications … we’ve got you covered.

So whether you’re keen on an apprenticeship or heading to university, give our guide a read- it could change your mind!

pprenticehship

Apprenticeships combine real paid work with studying for a qualification. You will gain first-hand work experience while learning essential skills within a profession or trade. Apprenticeships mix the best of both worlds – working and learning.

enefits

There are 100s of benefits to becom-ing an apprentice. Here’s our top five:

Learning a trade, profession or skill

No university debts Earning money while you learn

Studying for a recognised qualification

Stepping onto the careers ladder early – you could be just 16 and earning a wage!

123

5

4WORK + LEARNING

=APPRENTICESHIP

04 A-Z of Apprenticeships

areers

The careers on offer through an apprenticeship have grown dramatically over the last 5 years. Apprentice-ships are not restricted to vocational careers but have a wide range of professions available.

What careers interest you?Sports & outdoors

Business & city careers

STEM careers( Science, Technology, Engineering & Maths)

Creativecareers

Hospitality & leisure careers

Coaching

Fitness Trainer

Referee

Gardening

Construction

Accounting

Human Resources

Administration

Consultancy

Marketing

Engineering

IT Developer

Economics

Web Design

Tester

Music

Marketing

FashionHairdressing

Graphic Design

Catering

Hairdressing

Beauty

Hotel Management

Cooking

Deciding on your chosen career and career route is tough. You should consider all options available to en-sure your decision is well thought-out. Consider the pros and cons of each option (Apprenticeships, University, School leaver scheme, Enterprise etc…) and speak to people that have already made the decision to see if they have any useful tips.

ecisions

Decisions Decisions… Who should I ask?

Close to home:Parents, Friends, Teacher,

Older Siblings A bit further from home:

Admissions Officer, Careers Advisor, local Job Centre

Advisors


xperience

Apprentices gain real work experience during their training. They work alongside full-time employees and become part of the daily team. Inevitably, having work experience gives apprentices a greater advantage over candidates with a purely academic CV. Employers want candidates that can strive in a working environ-ment and need less time to settle into a new job. Work experience is so valuable.

uture

Apprenticeships have come a long way but there are still things that need to be improved in the future. The apprenticeship minimum wage, regu-lation on apprenticeship trainers and the age at which someone can start an apprenticeships are all prone to future change.

Even the sectors involved in appren-ticeships are changing with ‘traditional’ university sectors such as medicine and Law considering the introduction apprenticeships.

How Will the Future Look?

Higher Wages for Apprentices

More Choice

Entry into Traditional University Sectors- Medicine, Law, Architec-ture, Oil & Gas….

Sign up to a Big Careers Fairwww.big-careers.co.uknationwide careers events


Apprenticeships are for boys and girls. Past stereotypes have generalised apprenticeships as ‘boys only jobs’ in trade or construction but this is untrue. Apprenticeships are vast with even the most traditional apprentice-ships advertising jobs to everyone.

irls and boys

There are some fantastic campaigns that encourage

girls to get into construc-tions and STEM careers.

www.wisecampaign.org.uk/ is a great place to start!

Another stereotype of apprenticeships is that they are not aimed at high achievers. This is untrue. Apprenticeships are targeted at young people from all academic abilities and backgrounds. In fact some apprenticeship schemes are designed for high achievers as an alternative option to university. These are fre-quently offered by investment banks, accountancy firms and global technology companies. Everyone can get ahead with an apprenticeship!

igh achievers

Generating information about your apprenticeship is essential.Best Information Sources: 1) Big Careers – www.big-careers.co.uk ( General Careers information, Advice & Events)

2) National Apprenticeships Service – www.apprenticeships.gov.uk (Appren-ticeship Information)

3) National Careers Service – www.nationalcareersservice.direct.gov.uk (General Careers Information)

4) Government (GOV)- www.gov.uk/apprenticeships-guide (Workers’ rights including Wages, Hours, Breaks etc..)

nformation


After finishing an apprenticeship the main goal is to find a job. Some apprentices secure employment with the company they completed their apprenticeship with. Others choose to look for employment elsewhere. Apprentices are excellent candidates for employers as they have relevant qualifications PLUS vital work experience.

ob

Unlike graduate schemes that start after complet-ing a degree (3-4 years), apprenticeships can start as soon as you leave full time education. You can kick-start your career at age 16 and get ahead on the careers ladder before graduates. This can give you a 6 year head-start on graduates that tend to finish their degrees aged 21-23 years. ick-start

Double Advantage + Double Opportunity = Double chance of Success!

Leaving Education

Starting to work in industry

Junior position / Graduate Scheme

Starting salary

Graduate – Age 21 Apprentice – Age 21

Left education 5 years ago

6 years of working in industry

Higher position in company due to years of experience

Higher salary due to higher role in company

£ £ £ £ £

Research carried out by the IPPR this

year highlighted that many of the jobs

expected to drive economic growth and

mobility in the future will be accessible

with a vocational qualification. By

2022, there is set to be an additional

3.6 million job vacancies in mid-skilled

occupations (such as accounting

technicians, child care supervisors,

legal executives, radiographers), all of

which employ high numbers of people

with vocational qualifications at level

3 – the standard reached through

advanced apprenticeships and many

further education courses. Additionally,

the skills required for 9 out of the 10

most in-demand occupations of the

future can be attained by completing

vocational qualifications.

At NCFE, we remain committed to

meeting the demands of industry whilst

also providing options for all learners,

through our high quality vocational

qualifications and apprenticeships in a

range of sectors.

Apprenticeships are a viable alternative to an academic pathway.

By David Grailey, NCFE Chief Executive

A recent piece of research conducted by Which? University revealed that more than half of students in England and Wales approached their A Level results this year with no back-up plan if they failed to get the grades they needed to get to their university of choice. It begs the question, what are the options for learners? What does life beyond university look like?

Well there are a number of possibilities

available – full or part time higher

education offered by FE colleges (often

cheaper than universities), as well as a

range of professional certificates and

diplomas. There’s also the option of an

apprenticeship or higher apprenticeship

in a range of occupations.

Whilst university is the perfect route for

many learners, other flourish more in an

alternative training environment where

they can earn as they learn. Learners

need to consider the debt that they will

accrue through going to university and

consider their employment prospects at

the end of their course.

The government is making real strides

to ensure that apprenticeships are

seen as a gold standard alternative to

a university place for today’s young

people. For example, they’ve recently

announced the introduction of 40 new

employer-designed apprenticeships in a

range of occupations from engineering,

hospitality, law, accountancy and

journalism. The idea behind this is to

narrow the divide between university

and apprenticeships, break down that

barrier and also meet the needs of

industry.

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The number of appren-ticeships you can do at any time is just 1. Ap-prenticeships are not

like A-Levels or GCCEs where you can take multiple subjects per year. So

think hard about the apprenticeship you choose to complete.

How to choose an apprenticeship1) Think about your hobbies & inter-ests. Can you make a careers out of something you love?

2) Consider the subjects you’re good at. Where do you get the best results & can you take this further?

3) What type of personality do you have? Are you outgoing, do you like routine, can you work with others, do you enjoy problem-solving, are you creative…?


The laws that protects apprentices is very important. Here are some laws you need to know.aw

Legal Bits & BobsMinimum Wage

Apprentices Holidays Breaks at work

£2.73* per hour

*Apprentices aged 16-18

Apprentices aged 19+ are entitled to the national minimum wage for their age.

Apprentices get at least 20 days of paid holiday per year, plus

bank holidays.

Apprentices are entitled to a 30 minute rest break if they work more than 4.5 hours.

Apprentices age 16-24 are paid at least £2.73 per hour and will not be expected

to pay for the training or qualification.

Are you over 24 years? Apprentices over 24 years will have to check with their employer before starting their apprenticeship as your fees may not be covered.

oney

umber


There are 3 entry level options for apprenticeships:

ptions

Equivalent to 5 GCSE passes

Intermediate Advanced Higher

Equivalent to 2 A level passes

lead to NVQ Level 4 and above or a Foundation

Degree

Apprenticeships can lead to profes-sional qualifications and entry into amazing ‘city jobs’. Professional qual-ifications in Accountancy, Marketing, Brokering, Property surveying and Au-diting can all be achieved through an apprenticeship. No need for a degree!

rofessional

You will receive a qualification after the successful completion of your appren-ticeship. You can choose to continue studying to further your qualification to a higher level. This is often the case for apprentices wishing to enter a job at a higher level.

ualification

There has been an enormous rise in apprenticeships and the amount of young people choosing an appren-ticeship over university. According to the National Apprenticeship Service there has been a 55% increase year on year (28.4.14). Will you be part of the rise?

ise


A large proportion of sports clubs and teams are now offering active apprentice-ships. The LTA (Law Tennis Association), FA (Football Association) and RFU (Rug-

by Football Union) all offer apprenticeship schemes to people aged 16-19 years (sometimes older). Check out the official websites for more information.ports

Careers in sports – top 5 picksLawn Tennis Association www.lta.org.uk

Football Association www.thefa.com

Rugby Football Union www.rfu.com

Basketball England www.basketballengland.co.uk

England Golf www.englandgolf.org

If you have a natural talent – singing, dancing, acting – you can turn this passion into a career through a creative apprentice-ship. Creative apprenticeships are a fantastic and sensible way to follow your ‘creative juices’. You will enjoy practicing your craft whilst gaining a valuable qualification. alent

niversity Vs Apprentice-ships

University

Fees £9000 per year

Apprenticeship

No fees (funding for 16-19)

Duration 3-4 years 1-4 years

Start age 18 Years 16 Years

Sep/Oct or January Start date Ongoing throughout year

No – unless secondment year taken

(year out to work)

Work experience

Yes – part of the apprenticeship is

experiencing real work

Yes

Professional career

No except Social Care/ Dental Nursing Medical career

Yes Yes


There is no denying that apprenticeships are amaz-ing for young people that enjoy ‘hands-on’ and active learning. Vocational courses are the proud foundation of apprenticeships and they continue to provide young people with the skills they need for successful em-ployment. Great vocational apprenticeships include brick-laying, catering, hairdressing, decorating, plumb-ing, beauty and auto mechanics.

ocation

BIG TIP

Vocational skills

are IN DEMAND.

Employers want

employees with

vocational skills- UK,

EU & Worldwide!

An integral part of apprenticeships is working in a real company and the skills you will gain from this experience!

Skills Gained from the Work PlaceTime-keeping * Professional Conduct * Team Work * Responsibility for Com-pleting Own Work * Communicating with Colleagues * Upholding Good Attendance

ork

Applications for apprenticeships do not follow same method or deadlines as applying to university. There is no UCAS procedure that operates on a set dead-line for all providers. Different companies will recruit for apprentices at various times throughout the year. Some companies will recruit apprentices before they leave college while others wait until you have completed your studies.

marks the spot

For more information, ask your college about NCFE Apprenticeships or visit ncfe.org.uk/apprenticeships.

An NCFE Apprenticeship can help you step out from the crowd and into your dream job.Find your perfect programme from NCFE’s range of full and part Apprenticeships in the following sectors:

• Information and Communications Technology• Retail and Commercial Enterprise• Health, Public Services and Care.

• Business, Administration and Law• Education and Training • Leisure, Travel and Tourism


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ears ahead

Now is the time to zone-in and start thinking about your future. University, enterprise or apprenticeship? You decide! one in

This is how your careers could look years ahead…

Age 16 Age 19-25 Age 30+

Start apprenticeship in Accountancy

Apprenticeship complete and join a company as a junior bookkeeper/ accountant

assistant or carry on studying for your professional accountancy

practicing certificates.

Qualify as an accountant. You can work for a company or run

your own firm.

Accountancy

Age 16 Age 19-25 Age 30+

Start apprenticeship in

Hairdressing

Apprenticeship complete

Start hairdressing in a salon or beauty shop

With all of your experience you can

become a manager of hairdressing salon or

own a salon!

Hairdressing

Age 25

As an experience hairdresser you can

further your skills through more short courses and

training.

Age 16 Age 19-25 Age 30+

Start apprenticeships

in Coaching

Apprenticeship complete

Start coaching a youth football team.

Your career can development into

premier league level football coaching or

football management

Football Coaching

Age 25

Develop your skills as a coach by studying for further coaching

badges.

For more information, ask your college about NCFE Apprenticeships or visit ncfe.org.uk/apprenticeships.

An NCFE Apprenticeship can help you step out from the crowd and into your dream job.Find your perfect programme from NCFE’s range of full and part Apprenticeships in the following sectors:

• Information and Communications Technology• Retail and Commercial Enterprise• Health, Public Services and Care.

• Business, Administration and Law• Education and Training • Leisure, Travel and Tourism


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O F A P P R E N T I C E S H I P SO F A P P R E N T I C E S H I P S

Good Luck from Big Careers!

Published by Big Careers UK Limited (2014)Sponsored by NCFE

No copying or redistributing without permission from publishers.

a-z of apprenticeships

Documents

work learning

real work experience

option apprenticeships

ukncfe apprenticeships

firsthand work experience

careers advisor

vocational careers

careers ladder