1. Alternatives to Full Time Higher Education
Janine Jackson
Independent Careers Adviser

2. 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

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

4. 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

5. 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)

6. 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 year olds

7. 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

8. 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.

9. 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

10. 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.

11. 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.

12. 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

13. 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.

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

15. 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.

16. Gap Year and Volunteering
Personal development to help with longer term decisions:-

17. 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.