Alternatives to Full Time Higher Education Janine Jackson Independent Careers Adviser

Higher Education? HE is expensive and there are no job guarantees at the end of it. Perhaps you have had enough of studying full time? Perhaps you are a ‘hands-on’ learner? Perhaps you feel ready to enter the ‘real world’? You can study a HE course at a local college, part time, via open university or later in life

Three main options Apprenticeships Employment with training/prospects Gap Year(s)

Highest Earners? PIPE FITTER ACTUARY/ECONOMIST PHYSIOTHERAPIST SOLICITOR TRAIN DRIVER Actuary/Economist £61,584 Train Driver £45,489 Solicitor £44,787 Pipe Fitter £36,637 Physiotherapist £27,814

Apprenticeships Gain nationally recognised qualifications whilst earning and gaining work experience. Often training and assessment is in the workplace with attendance at college/training centre/university part time. Intermediate = Level 2 (4-5 GCSEs) Advanced = Level 3 (2-3 A levels) Higher = Level 4 (Foundation degree/HND) or Level 5 (degree level)

Apprenticeships Minimum apprentice wage £3.30/hour for first year. Many apprenticeships pay more than this – JLR higher apprenticeship starting salary is £18,550; National Grid is £23,500! The average higher apprentice starting salary for large companies is £15,000 Employers 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 a limited recruitment period. Usually pay well and have excellent prospects. May involve living away from home. Often very competitive to achieve a place.

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 Nestle

Smaller/medium sized companies Smaller companies recruit nearer the start date. More likely to be local to you. Several websites advertise apprenticeship vacancies (local and national). Training providers help find vacancies eg local colleges, CWT, etc Companies also advertise in the local press.

Degree Apprenticeships & Sponsored Degrees The Company may pay all your fees or some of them; You may go to university full time, part time or work with ‘virtual’ learning via IT; You may be paid a salary and be an employee; This often leads to permanent employment; You will probably have no choice about where you study or the course; There may be clauses such as working for the company for a certain length of time after graduation, working in the holidays, etc.

Companies offering sponsored degrees National Grid JCB – progression from higher apprenticeship Rolls Royce KPMG Deloitte Bright Start Morrisons Environmental Agency Armed Forces Experian Logica Capgemini

Employment with prospects Be sure to check you will have the opportunity to gain nationally recognised qualifications; Make sure there are prospects for future development; Be prepared to study for professional qualifications; Self-employment is an option (support from Prince’s Trust) but experience is usually required.

Where to look Local press including online; Specialist publications; Websites; Employment agencies; Networking – 29% job vacancies filled through word of mouth.

High levels of competition High level apprenticeships/sponsorships/jobs with prospects can be extremely competitive – some companies had over 100 applicants per place last year (this is more competitive than Oxbridge!). Work experience is the answer!!!!!! Preferably with the company concerned, but any is better than none! Develop skills, knowledge and confidence through activities both inside and outside school. Get a part time job. Search proactively – start researching now.

Gap Year and Volunteering Personal development to help with longer term decisions:- www.gap-year.com www.gapyear.co.uk www.yearoutgroup.org.uk www.realgap.co.uk www.csv.org.uk www.do-it.org.uk www.vinspired.com

Careers interviews In school on Wednesdays and Thursdays. Support with: career choice; higher education/university; apprenticeships/employment; post 18 choices. I have your career meeting request forms – but if you change your mind about wanting one or if you can’t make the time allocated, please let me/Mr Richens/Miss Parsons know asap.