If you’re in Year 11 or coming to the end of your A-Levels/College Course, you’ll no doubt be wondering what to do next.
A traditional 3/4 year degree isn’t the right educational path for everyone and with most Universities soon expected to charge £9000 a year in tuition fees, going onto Higher Education isn’t going to be a realistic prospect for a lot of youngsters.
However, with an Apprenticeship you really do get the best of everything…
If you're in Year 11, you'll soon be making some big decisions
Why do an Apprenticeship?
More and more school leavers are choosing to do an Apprenticeship because they like the idea of learning and picking up new skills on-the-job as well as earning money and working towards recognised qualifications.
Sound like a good combination? If you’re thinking about doing an Apprenticeship what do you need to do?
How to get started
As Apprenticeships are work-based, you need to have a job before you can start.
Yes you’re probably on study leave at the moment so obviously revision takes priority (or so it should do!)
However, lots of organisations are advertising their vacancies right now!!! Make sure you don’t miss out on any of the Apprenticeship vacancies by joining us on Facebook.
Simply ‘like’ our facebook page and our vacancies will appear in your newsfeed!
There’s plenty more you can do to find that all important job.
Prepare a C.V. / Complete an Online Application Form
Almost every job you apply for will require you to submit a C.V. This informs a potential employer about you. You should include:
- Predicted grades / grades you’ve already achieved
- Any work experience
- Interests
- Personal qualities and skills
For more information about how to put a C.V. together, read our guide
You may also be required to complete an online application form. Read the do’s and don’t about applying for an Apprenticeship!
Start looking for local employers
Send out speculative letters or if possible call in to local businesses, introduce yourself and enquire about any possible job vacancies and leave your C.V. with the manager.
Look in the Yellow Pages and / or Thomson Local for businesses in your area and send off letters saying that you’ll be leaving school in June and that you’re enquiring as to whether they’ll be taking on an Apprentice.
Apprenticeships Website
If you haven’t been on already, have a look on the Apprenticeships Website. This is where local employers advertise jobs for potential Apprentices.
You will need to create an account before you can access full details about each vacancy and to be able to apply for a job. Find out more by reading the step-by-step guide.
Use your contacts!
Ask friends and family if they know of anyone who could take you on as an Apprentice. A lot of the time Apprentices found their job through someone they know / word of mouth.
Perhaps you had a successful and enjoyable work experience. If so and you’d like to work there, make contact with the company. They know you, you know them – perfect!
And lastly….Total People
If you want an Apprenticeship, we need to know! So if you haven’t already, register your interest and we’ll keep you up-to-date via email about the latest vacancies.
On Facebook? Make sure you ‘like’ our facebook page.
What if I have already got a college place or can’t find a job?
By now, lots of people in Year 11 will have been accepted onto a college course or will have a place on a further education programme. However, it’s your future remember so the more options you have the better!
You don’t have to decide where you’ll be in September right up until you collect your exam results in August. If you do start college/sixth form but know you’d really prefer an Apprenticeship, keep looking for that all important job!
If you are successful in getting a job, contact us and we can arrange for your Apprenticeship to start!
If you know you don’t want to remain in full time education but are keen to get a job and gain more qualifications, our Pathways to Apprenticeships programme is specifically designed to help 16-18 year olds prepare for an Apprenticeship and focuses on:
- Writing a CV
- Completing application forms and writing letters
- Interview Skills
- Presentation skills
[...] would advise any young person to consider doing an Apprenticeship. If you’re studying A-Levels but not enjoying it, it’s definitely worth you while searching for a job with [...]