Alternatives to Higher Education Sarah Gerrard Independent 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 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 and can search locallywww.apprenticeships.org.uk 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 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 skills Self-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 eddegrees eddegrees

High levels of competition 800 apps for 60 places for PWC Headstart in 2010 More 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!

Other routes to a degree Part- time study and work Foundation degree Open University Support from National Careers Service once left AGS:

Careers interviews Support with degree decisions too Complete questionnaire in form time 4 TH Feb Interviews start after mocks until exam leave Tell us if your need is urgent! Remember to turn up!