Apprenticeships and Sponsored Degrees Explained

Tony Dann

Advisor/Employer Links Coordinator

The Apprentice Panel

Chloe Marketing ApprenticeThe Skills Company

Nick Accountancy ApprenticeFairhurst Accountants

Stefan-IT ApprenticeFourteen IP

Apprenticeships and Sponsored Degrees Explained

Thank you for being here this evening

Apprenticeships and Sponsored Degrees Explained

Aim of this session is to give you a broad overview of the Apprenticeship system. This will include:-

• Support in College

• Types of Apprenticeship

• The Role of the Training Provider

• Levels of entry and progression

• The Apprentice perspective

• Application process

• Useful sources of information

Information, Advice and Guidance (IAG) Support in College

• Impartial Careers Guidance and Planning (Individual Interviews in LRC)• Personal Tutor (PT) support for UCAS, personal statement and other

career planning issues • Dedicated sites on the Intranet (Apprenticeships/Uni/Vol work/Careers)• Group sessions and briefings (CV Development, Interview Skills,

Apprenticeships and NAS registrations)• Employer Liaison and links to the curriculum/Labour Market Intelligence• Employer and Apprentice presentations• Careers and Apprenticeship Event 1st February 2016• Apprenticeship Vacancy Alert System• Results day: after services• Employability Skills and the Curriculum • Employability Skills Event and Kloodle

Informed Choices and Options

Next Steps after college

• Higher Education and degree options (funded by SFE)• National Apprenticeship• Company Apprenticeship (sponsored degree and/or

professional qualifications to level 3, 4, 5, 6 or 7)• Another FE or 6th Form college• Employment without training• Gap YearSome students will apply for more than one pathway such as a full time degree and a Higher Apprenticeship

Informed Choices and Options

Ask the Panel:

Did you apply for more than one pathway?

Government policy

Government policy is currently focused upon increasing the number of Advanced and Higher Level Apprenticeships. The Government recently announced their new national employer led approach so programmes are developed by employers to meet their business needs. Several Trailblazers were established and announced.

Greater Manchester Developments

• Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce secured funding to develop Employer Ownership of Skills (EOS)

• This development saw employers, procurers and training providers working collaboratively to generate the right training opportunities

• There are 14 Employer Sector Groups established which includes the legal sector (first to establish a Higher level apprenticeship progamme and start the recruitment and selection process).

• Other sector groups include:- Engineering, Financial and Professional Services, Construction, Logistics, Housing, Sales and Marketing, Manufacturing and Creative Technology

Greater Manchester DevelopmentsLegal Sector

• The qualifications are accredited by the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives and grant exemptions against elements of the CILEx professional pathway and can enable progression to qualified lawyer.

• An increasing number of smaller firms and in-house teams (including the BBC and several local councils) have been recruiting Legal Service Apprentices as well as larger ones with a strong regional presence – Weightmans, Hill Dickinson, Kennedys, Clyde & Co and Stephensons.

• Firms are recruiting into administrative functions at L2 and L3, often with a view to progression onto the more specialist legal pathway

Apprenticeship Facts & Figures

• There are over 250 types of Apprenticeships

• Apprenticeships are available in 1200 different job roles

• Apprenticeships are available across 80 different industries

• No University Fees

Apprenticeship Facts & Figures

• Integrated approach working whilst learning

• There can be progression routes from level 2 up to Level 7 (post graduate)

• You will get a contract of employment (can be fixed term), holiday pay, sick pay and other benefits.

Apprenticeships

When I say apprenticeship it means different things, to different people

What does it mean to you?

Apprenticeship programmes

1) Intermediate/Advanced /Higher Apprenticeship follows a Government Framework-mixture of large national, medium and small businesses

2) School Leaver Programme or traditional “in-house” company development. A solution for large national and multi-national organisations and some smaller employers. (See College Intranet and RATEMYAPPRENTICESHIP Guide 2015) Studying towards a professional qualification and earning a salary.

3) Sponsorship onto a degree whilst working for an employer, sometimes referred to as a school leaver programme, cadetship, trainee or Apprenticeship. Students generally guaranteed a job if they achieve a 2:1. The company normally sorts out the degree course

4) Scholarship programme where you normally apply via UCAS and then get a scholarship which also includes guaranteed work experience as an intern over your summer holidays. If you achieve a 2:1 you are often guaranteed an interview for their graduate entry programme

Apprenticeships and the role of the Learning/Training Provider

Training Provider

Company A Company B Company C

Recruitment and selection

Apprenticeships and the role of the Learning/Training Provider

Ask the Panel:

What is their experience and views on Training Providers?

Levels of Entry and ProgressionNVQ Levels

• Level 2 Intermediate entry requirements, check vacancy details, some employers will specify GCSE grades often D or above

• Level 3 Advanced entry requirements usually GCSE or equivalent in at least 2 subjects, often 4 or 5, including maths, English and may specify others depending on job role

• Level 4 Higher entry requirements A’ Level or equivalent, often specify GCSE maths and English, some will ask for a points score e.g. MBDA 300 points for Commercial Apprenticeship , Aviva 340 for Actuary and 300 for Insurance Trainee, BBC Broadcast Engineers 300 points including a grade A in maths and a B in a science subject.

• Qualifications at Levels 4 and 5 are equivalent to a higher education certificate, diploma or a foundation degree. Level 6 is equivalent to an undergraduate degree. You might be able to top up a foundation degree to a full degree, or pursue a master’s or a relevant professional qualification.

Levels of Entry and Progression

Intermediate Apprenticeship

• Level 2

• 12 – 18 months

• Equivalent 5 GCSEs A* - C

Advanced Apprenticeship

• Level 3

• 18 – 48 months

• Equivalent 2 A levels

Higher Apprenticeship

• Level 4,5 and 6

• 24 months +

Different levels of Apprenticeship available

FE FE/HE HE/Professional Qualifications

Levels of Entry and Progression

Ask the Panel:

What qualifications did you have to achieve to access your programme?

What is the company offering you in terms of progression and personal development?

Apprenticeships

Key points to think about:-• Competition can be fierce

• Recruitment and selection processes are time consuming

• UCAS Points Tariff range from 160 to 340

• Some skills shortage areas are less competitive

• Minimum pay is £2.73

• Average is £170 per week across all apprenticeships

• Higher Apprenticeship starting salaries range from 8K to 21K

Apprenticeships

Key points to think about:-• Very limited number of Higher Apprenticeships in

Wigan• Driving licence is invaluable• Wage rises and bonuses • Usual recruitment age 16 to 24, but can be older• Can be a progression route to HE• No tuition fees (normally)• Earn while you learn

Competition

Ask the Panel:

How many apprenticeships did you apply for?

How many offers did you get?

Any advice about applications?

The Process – The Audit Programme

Online application

Situational Judgement

Tests

Verbal and numerical

reasoning test

First round interview

Analysis exercise

Partner Interview

Second round interview

A telephone call

Presentation

Click here to hear about the application

process!

The Recruitment and Selection Process

Ask the Panel:

What was the recruitment and selection process like for you?

What advice would you give young people in the audience about preparation?

Apprenticeship Vacancies Capgemini

Vacancy Description IT Sponsored Degree

Designed to give you work experience and develop your personal, technical, team and social skills, you will study for a BSc in Computing and IT Practice from the Open University as well as a Level 4 Diploma in IT Professional Competence through QA. Through this five year programme you will receive on-going support to develop your skills and capabilities in programming and software such as C#, Java and PHP, together with broader software engineering skills. As well as improving your technical competencies, you will benefit from a range of Project Management qualifications.

You will start on an initial salary of £10,000 per annum until you have successfully completed the first fifty day accelerated learning phase of your apprenticeship. You will then progress to your enhanced apprentice salary of £16,000 per annum. Your salary will be reviewed regularly in line with your progress and at the end of the programme you can expect to be paid higher than the graduates with no work experience.

More information can be found on the Cap Gemini website: www.uk.capgemini.com/apprenticeships

These vacancy roles start in April, July, September and November 2015, please make sure you check the start date on the programme you are applying for.

Apprenticeship Vacancies Civil ServiceVacancy Description Civil Service Apprenticeship

The new Civil Service Apprenticeship Scheme is giving 100 talented people the opportunity to become the organisation’s future leaders. So if you want to work at the heart of Government with a minimum starting salary of £18,763 in a role where you can really make a difference, this fast track programme could open up senior opportunities and lead to an exciting and varied career.

The roles are on offer across a variety of departments including Cabinet Office, Ministry of Justice and HM Revenue and Customs, Department for Education, Department for Work and Pensions, Crown Prosecution Service and Department for Business Innovation and Skills.

The challenge : not only are the roles demanding but also, as part of the scheme, you’ll work towards a Level 4 Higher Apprenticeship in Business and Professional Administration. This requires you to study and submit written assignments to show that you understand high-level administrative processes and gather on-the-job evidence to demonstrate your competency.

What’s more, you’ll join as a management grade which means that in addition to your role you could manage a colleague or a team.

EY School Leaver Programme• You don’t have to go to university to get ahead. On the EY School Leaver programme you’ll step straight into the

workplace, develop valuable technical skills with structured training, and gain a sought-after professional qualification – without university fees or student debt.

• Our five-year training programme lets you join EY straight after school or college. At the end of five years, you should have a professional qualification and be perfectly set up to take the next step in your business career.

• What do we look for?• An interest in Assurance is a given, but we look for so much more than that.•

• Different backgrounds and skills – but similar values. EY can offer a superb working environment, thanks to our commitment to flexibility, inclusiveness and development. There are a number of criteria we look for in our employees:

•

• People who excel - We aren't only looking for high academic achievers. We also want you to demonstrate leadership through extra-curricular activities and community involvement.

• People who are good at working in teams - We look for evidence that you are good at listening, learning, sharing, developing and working with others, including those who are different from you.

• People with integrity - We want you to have a clear sense of personal and professional accountability and to show you are committed to doing the right thing.

• People who demonstrate respect - We look for people who recognize the value of different backgrounds and points of view. By respecting these differences we enrich our perspectives, which helps us to build strong relationships and enhance the services we provide to our clients.

• People with energy, enthusiasm and the courage to lead - We want you to be passionate and excited about the opportunities at EY and what your future holds

•

• Academic Entry requirements:• Grade B or above for GCSE Mathematics and English Language or equivalent• At least 300 (24) UCAS points from 3 A2 levels or equivalent (excluding General Studies and re-sits)

Employability skills and competency based recruitment and selection

Employability skills are those that are particularly sought by recruiters as they make for effective employees, with skills useful in any role.

There are several definitions of employability skills, but the CBI have produced a useful list with definitions - see the CBI website: Boosting employability skills for definitions and a checklist. • Self-management • Teamwork • Business and customer awareness • Problem solving • Communication and literacy • Application of numeracy • Application of Information Technology • Entrepreneurship • Underpinning all skills - a positive attitude.

STAR ApproachSituation: Explain the situation that you were in. This should be a short description, it could be: ‘during my college course’ or ‘whilst working in a shop’.Task: You need to briefly explain what it is that you had to do, and what the success criteria was. If you were working as a group explain what the overall task of the group was but be clear about your own role.Action: This is the most substantial part (around 50-70%) of any example and you need to include:• What you did.• Why you did it.• How you did it.• What skills you used.Result: There is little point in explaining the situation, task and action if the employer or course provider is left wondering whether what you did made any difference. So be prepared to explain:• What happened as a result of the actions you took?• What you would do differently or improve?• What impact the result had overall on the team task?

Apprenticeship College Leaver Programmes

• Airbus Undergraduate Apprenticeship (Supply Chain and Engineering)• Barclay’s Retail Development Programme • BDO School Leaver Programme (Audit and Tax)• Deloitte BrightStart Scheme • KPMG School Leavers’ Programme (Sponsored degree and professional

qualifications)• Marks & Spencer’s Trainee Retail Management programme • MBDA (Commercial and Engineering)• National Audit Office School Leaver Programme (Accountancy)• National Grid Engineer Training Programme • PwC Higher Apprenticeships or Flying Start Degree Programme • Siemens Finance & Commercial Academy • Tesco Trainee Management Options Programme/Commercial

Development Programme • Travelodge Junior Management Programme• BAe Systems Engineering and Project Management plus other offers• GSK

Apprenticeships- Examples of College Leaver Destinations

• Stockport Council Democratic Services• Fourteen IP • BDO• Stephensons Solicitors• Co-op Bank• RBS• Network Rail• Aldi• Tesco• Fairhurst-Chartered Accountants Wigan• Mazars- International Accountancy and Financial Consultants• BAE Systems• JaguarLandrover• T and G Joinery• NHS Finance• Skills Solutions

Apprenticeships - Preparing for a Successful Application

• Start your career planning now!• Self Assessment (know your strengths and

weaknesses, personal skills and qualities, likes and dislikes, apply this knowledge to jobs and opportunities)

• Opportunity Awareness (know what skills and qualities a job demands, the entry requirements, vacancies and how to find them)

• Enhance your chances of success by accessing learning and development opportunities in college and elsewhere

Useful Websites

• National Apprenticeship Service (NAS) Website www.apprenticeships.org.uk for more information, registration and applications for vacancies

• College Careers Service-Apprenticeship Intranet site, links to Company websites

• www.notgoingtouni.co.uk Lists vacancies

• National Careers Service www.direct.gov.uk/nationalcareersservice

College Apprenticeship IntranetFront page introduction and then divided into

sector groups that link to the page

Accounting and Finance Legal

Business Administration Leisure Activities

Construction Media and Publishing

Education and Training Public Service

EngineeringRetail and Commercial

Service

Health Science based

ICT

College Apprenticeship Intranet

• Aviva offer training as an actuary or underwriter in insurance. The vacancies for Actuary are based at their head office in Norwich, which is a University City and therefore some competively priced rented accommodation. Starting salary circa 18k for Actuary and 16k for Underwriter. UCAS points 340 + with a grade A in maths for actuary and 320 for Underwriter. Click here

• Baker Tilley with offices in Manchester recruit AAT apprentices with progression onto professional qualifications. Click here

• Barclays bank Apprenticeship programme click here• BDO offer a school and college leaver programme leading to professional status. The company has an interesting

underpinning philosophy and customer focused approach to business. Currently the fifth largest accountants. Offices in Manchester. Click here

• Grant Thornton recruit A Level or the equivalent students for accountancy training in Tax and Audit, more details here

• Kaplan (TP) are a local Training Provider that offer apprenticeships in Accountancy. They recruit for a number of small, medium and large firms including multi nationals. They also offer a summer school for would be accountants. Click here for more information.

• KPMG offer opportunities for school and college leavers, undergraduates and graduates. Their highly regarded Undergraduate programme gives you the opportunity to go to University on a block programme whilst earning and without tuition fees. Applications are directly to KPMG (not through UCAS) and the Universities involved are Durham, Exeter and Birmingham. Offices in Preston, Manchester, Liverpool and other parts of the world. Click here

• Mazars are an international business and finance consultancy and service provider organisation. They offer a wide range of specialisms in accountancy including a school/college leaver programme that leads to professional qualifications. Offices in Manchester, the UK and world wide. Click here

• National Audit Office School Leaver A Level entry programme open until 31.3.13 more information here

Vacancy Alert SystemHi,Some more vacancies for you to consider• BPP are still recruiting for a number of top financial and professional services firms across the region including RBS, Baker

Tilly, Mazars, etc. The skills shortage area is mainly Tax Consultants, but there are other opportunities including HR, Customer Services, Corporate client management, etc http://www.bpp.com/apprenticeships/find-an-apprenticeship

• HSBC Web Site http://www.jobs.hsbc.co.uk Vacancy Location Manchester, Greater ManchesterWorking Week 35 hours Weekly Wage £ 335.59 Number of Vacancies 2 Vacancy Reference Number VAC000622430 Closing Date For Applications 04/07/2015 Interview Begin From 01/07/2015 Possible Start Date 01/11/2015Training to be Provided Level 3 Providing Financial Services

• Thomas Cook Aircraft Engineering Apprenticeship If you are having problems finding the details, click on the Thomas Cook link, than on airline and then on engineering and the details and application process become visible. Out of curiosity I had alook at what salary a fully licensed aircraft engineer can command and its in the region of 50K, you can take a look on theirvacancies listed on the web site. http://careers.thomascook.com/

• BT are still recruiting for a number of different roles with some based in the North West, including IT specialists based in Manchester http://www.btplc.com/…/UK/Apprenticesh…/HowToApply/ApplyNow/

• CiLex expect to have a number of vacancies becoming available for Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeships in Legal Services over the summer for A level leavers. They are currently promoting three vacancies with international law firm BLP, based in Manchester. https://jobs.blplaw.com/…/legal-apprentice…/443/description/ I would also monitor their main web site http://www.cilexlawschool.ac.uk/Prospective_Students/Legal_apprenticeships/Legal_apprenticeship_vacancies where they have some other vacancies and also http://www.damartraining.com/apprenticeship-vacancies/ who recruit for legal services , but also financial and business admin

• RBS Get ahead “taster day”, and discover whether a career in a bank is for you, whilst developing skills to increase your employability and those all-important skills for your CV. For more information about our Apprenticeship Scheme: https://www.rbsbankyoubuild.com/school-leavers Dates available: Manchester: Wednesday 5th August Apply today: https://www.rbsearlycareers.com/…/EventApply/EventApply.asp…

• Level 3 IT Training offer with progression to level 4. The company has 15 vacancies and are offering a starting weekly wage of £270. They are based in Euxton near Chorley and are a large global concern.

Apprenticeship Quiz

1 Can I do a sponsored degree, earn a salary and not pay any tuition fees?

2 Can I do an Apprenticeship after I have completed a degree course?

3 Can I become a qualified Solicitor through an apprenticeship?

4 Is a Higher Apprenticeship equivalent to degree?

5 Can I become a qualified Accountant quicker via an apprenticeship than a degree and post graduate entry programme?

Apprenticeship Quiz

6 Can I do a Higher Apprenticeship in Flood Risk Management specialising in coastal or river flood defences.

7 Can I be recruited onto a Higher Apprenticeship, but have to do Level 2 or 3 Qualifications as part of the programme?

8 Can I do an Apprenticeship with MI5, MI6 or GCHQ.

9 Can I earn a salary worth £250 or more a week on an apprenticeship?

Apprenticeship Quiz

10 Is it harder to get a Higher Apprenticeship than on a degree course?

11 Will a company pay travel expenses and other costs if I have to go to an assessment centre at their head office?

12 Is the National Apprenticeship Service Vacancy System (NAS AV) the equivalent to UCAS for apprenticeship applications?

13 Can I do an apprenticeship in specialised innovative project management such as with ASTRAEA (Autonomous Systems Technology Related Airborne Evaluation & Assessment)?

14 Can I find out more about apprenticeships and where to apply on the SJR Intranet?

Employers and HR Managers

As part of your annual business planning cycle have you considered:-

• The age profile of your workforce?

• Is there a need for succession planning?

• Are you developing new goods and services that require workforce development and/or expansion?

• Have you considered taking on an apprentice?

Employers and HR Managers

If you would be interested in finding out more about employing an apprentice yourself please contact the National Apprenticeship Service

www.apprenticeships.org.uk

Any final comments or observations from the Panel?

Finally ……….

Key messages for young people:-• Dedicate a set amount of time each week to do research

starting with the intranet site. Check entry requirements, competencies or skills and qualities they are looking for.

• Some firms start recruiting in September 2015 for a 2016 start

• Use the NAS site for research • If in doubt apply, an interview is a two way process• Do complete your exams! • There are some brilliant opportunities, but it takes time,

effort and hard work‘Failing to Prepare is Preparing to Fail’.

Thank you for listening

Any last minute further questions ?

Thank you to the panel

Please take a copy of the RATEMYAPPRENTICESHIP Guide 2015 and hand in your completed evaluation forms

Tony.Dann@sjr.ac.ukTel: 01942 214797 Ext 295Tuesday and Friday all day plus Wednesday pm

Safe journey home