Alternatives to University

Destination% of studentsChange from 2012 HIGHER EDUCATION64-3% FURTHER EDUCATION13-2% FOUND EMPLOYMENT7No change UNKNOWN7+3% GAP YEAR6+2% SEEKING EMPLOYMENT2 OTHER1=1 Unknown – students who did not respond to the college enquiries and no other information was available from UCAS etc. Could be working so difficult to contact, travelling or doing nothing at all!

 Art Foundation Courses – essential to do this before some very prestigious art degree courses and also a chance to experience and build on different areas of art before specialising in a degree  A few students returned to college for a third year. This is only agreed in exceptional circumstances. Most students who ask to are not allowed to return for a third year. This is due to Government Funding restrictions.

 Planning to go to university in the following year  Reapplying to a new subject/ the same subject as before/ may not have applied while at college  Some students apply for deferred entry during year 13  Make use of a gap year! eg gain experience through voluntary work, travel, take external resits, travel etc Most work part time or full time at some point in a gap year

Destination Seeking Employment 3%2% Not avail yet Found Employment 7% Not avail yet How does this compare to the doom and gloom headlines we see for Youth Unemployment?

Some students increase the hours of the part time work they have been doing while at college There can be opportunities for career progression in retail Eg Arcadia (Top Shop, Dorothy Perkins etc) with experience and training, sales staff can become branch managers as well having graduate programmes for their senior staff Use as a stepping stone to demonstrate face to face people skills, flexible hours, working under pressure, trustworthy (money and stock), teamwork or specific interest in fashion etc. Good skills for many jobs including the Police.

 Difficult to tell exactly what they are doing!  ‘Foot in the door’ jobs – I’ll get experience working at a low level for this employer and hope to be able to progress  Jobs with a set career path eg Royal Navy, apprenticeships  Good for experience jobs – eg working in care and support work to gain experience to progress into a specific NHS career later on  Any job has value in terms of income and skills gained.

 Higher Apprenticeships are aimed at students with A Levels or equivalent level 3 qualifications  They include vocational university level qualifications – this could mean going to university part time while working and being paid with no tuition fees or gaining other professional qualifications.  There are limited options but this is growing  For options see - vacancies and search for apprenticeship type ‘ Higher Apprenticeships’

 Accounting ( Audit) Apprentice with Baker Tilly  Carrying out risk analysis, reviewing an organisation’s systems and ensuring accounting processes work efficiently.  Duration 24 months  Need 280 UCAS points and 5 A-C GCSEs including Bs in English and Maths  Pay £192 per week for 37.5hr week

 National Grid Engineer  ‘ A technical problem solver in engineering and management.’  Duration 2 – 3 years.  Need at least 2 A Levels including maths or physics.  Wage £ per week for 37 hour week

 Insurance Apprenticeship with Aon  Supporting the broking and client management of senior team members while working towards AC11 professional qualifications  Need 5 A-C at GCSE including English and Maths and 280 UCAS points from 3 A Levels or equivalent.  Duration 12 – 15 months  Pay £ for 37.5 hour week

National Minimum Wage compared to these examples – fill in the gaps In and over18 to 20Under 18Apprentice (usual) Hourly£6.50£5.13£3.79£2.73 Weekly based on 37 hr week Higher Apprenticeship eg Engineering/ management Accounting (audit) Insurance Hourly pay Weekly pay£ per week for 37 hour week £192 per week for 37.5hr week £ for 37.5 hour week

JobPrimary Teacher NurseTrainee SolicitorTrainee Accountant Annual SalaryStarting salary £22,023 working 37+ hours per week Starting salary £21,388 per year working 37.5 hrs per week Starting salary £16,650 - £37,000 per year for 37 hour week £19,501- £22,000 for 37 + hour week Weekly Salary Hourly Salary