1. Vocational & Apprenticeship options

2. Grey Court Careers education
Careers education is an important part of the Grey Court experience. We have been accredited with the Quality in Careers Standard Award in 2018 showing our commitment to providing high quality careers education and guidance.
Year 10 careers input:
Careers week in July –mock interviews, START careers programme, work related learning/work experience and a university visit.
Talks from GC 6th form and Kingston College.
Way Ahead Careers Fair
Wednesday 9th October pm in the Hall
Students and parents welcome
Range of careers represented as well as local colleges and universities
Careers adviser Miss Bernie Corrighan in school Monday - Wednesday and Friday

3. HAPPINESS AND FULFILMENT
YOUR DREAM CAREER
HIGHER APPRENTICESHIP
UNIVERSITY
EMPLOYMENT
AUGUST 2022
AUGUST 2021
BTEC
APPRENTICESHIP
A LEVELS
NVQ
20th August 2020 GCSE Results day

4. Vocational/BTEC qualifications - Myths
For students with more moderate GCSE grades
Not equivalent to A level
Easier than GCSE/A level
For students with lower aspirations
Don’t derive UCAS points
Won’t enable you to progress to University

5. BTEC qualifications - Truths
Examples of courses include:
Animal Management Engineering Applied Science Music Technology
Creative Media Production Travel & Tourism Performing Arts Business
Health & Social Care Childcare Art & Design IT/Games Design
Level 3 BTEC – GCSE grades 4 & above inc. English & Maths.
2 years, leads on to University (earns UCAS points just like A levels) or higher apprenticeships/work
Extended Diploma (equivalent of 3 A Levels)
Diploma (equivalent of 2 A Levels)
Extended Certificate (equivalent of 1 A Level) *offered at GC 6th form*
Certificate (equivalent of 1 AS Level – 1 year)
Level 2 – GCSE grades 3-1 including English &/or Maths
1 year course, leads to Level 3 courses or apprenticeships
Level 1 – Will look at qualifications 2-1, reference and interest in subject area. Leads to Level 2 courses or apprenticeships.
Combine academic theory units with practical units. Assessed through a
combination of continuous assignment - tests, essays,
research, practicals, field work, experiments & exams!
Taught at 6th forms, colleges and studio schools.

6. BTEC Progression from Grey Court
Sam is at Bristol University studying Physics
Sam studied BTEC Music Technology achieving a Distinction* (equivalent of an A*) as well as Maths, Physics and BTEC Media.
Parisa is at Kingston University studying Nursing
Parisa studied BTEC Health and Social Care achieving a Distinction (equivalent of an A), alongside English and Philosophy A Levels.
Jack is at Bournemouth University studying Media Production
Jack studied 3 BTECs in: Creative Media achieving a Distinction (equivalent of an A), Enterprise & Entrepreneurship achieving a Merit (equivalent of a C)
and BTEC IT achieving a Merit (equivalent of an C).

7. Work related qualifications
Examples of courses include:
Construction trades – Plumbing, Electrical, Carpentry etc
Professional Cookery
Motor Vehicle
Floristry
Hairdressing
Beauty Therapy
Construction Crafts Diplomas and NVQs
Courses range from Level 1 – Level 3
These courses are generally practical and designed to prepare you for work of a technical nature.
Check with the colleges for entry requirements – most courses will look at English and Maths grades and if a grade 4 is not achieved, retakes or alternatives will be offered
Students either move up to the next level or go into a job/apprenticeship from college Assessments are mainly practical or portfolio based although there are some short answer tests.

8. What is an Apprenticeship?
Apprenticeships are training schemes
You are employed to work alongside experienced staff to gain job-specific skills whilst you work towards technical qualifications
You will gain your technical qualification whilst on day/block release at College or a training provider
It is a great way to learn as you will get hands on experience and as well as getting paid
You will have a contract of employment and will be entitled to the same benefits as other employees including holiday pay!

9. What levels of apprenticeship are there?
The three main levels are: - Intermediate Apprenticeships - studying towards a level 2 Competence Qualification and roughly equivalent to 5 GCSEs
- Advanced Apprenticeships studying towards a level 3 qualification. Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeships are equivalent to 2 A-Levels
- Higher Apprenticeships, where you work towards a level 4 competence qualification. Level 4s are equivalent to a higher education certificate or diploma
Some employers will sponsor you through university and pay for your degree as well as give you a salary!

10. What are employers looking for
Good Maths and English skills
Communication skills
Ability to communicate to different types of people;
face to face, on the phone and professionally via
Punctuality, reliability, enthusiasm
Working as a part of a team means your colleagues
and customers will rely on your input

11. Where can I find an apprenticeship?
There are various ways of applying for apprenticeships.
First of all think about the sector you would like to work in and research by looking at
National Apprenticeship website
Search and apply for local & apprenticeships and register for updates
Local training providers e.g. AfC Way to work, Hawk Training, MIT etc
Colleges e.g. Kingston, Richmond, West Thames, Nescot
Directly through company websites
e.g. BBC, BA, Haymarket, NPL

12. When to apply
Most apprenticeship schemes open from January onwards some later.
If there is a specific company you would like to work for then check their website for details
Register on the National Apprenticeship website for notifications when a job comes up e.g. plumbing in 5 miles of TW10
You can apply to colleges for apprenticeships
Opportunities for year 11s:
October - Careers Fair
March - ‘World of Work’ event

13. Grey Court Case Studies
Ethan – Business Apprentice at Blue Cube Travel Ltd
Ethan had been keen since year 10 to go in to an apprenticeship and was interested in Business.
He spoke to AfC ‘Way to Work’ at the ‘World of Work’ roadshow in March who are a local provider of apprenticeships. When he finished his exams he applied for a vacancy on their website. He had an interview with W2W and they put him forward for the job interview and helped him prepare.
He has completed his Business Level 2 apprenticeship and is now doing his Level 3 at the at the company.

14. Grey Court Case Studies
Leigh – Arts & Community Engagement (Events organiser) at Orleans Gallery
Leigh went to sixth form and was undecided about going to University and wanted to take some time out before making the decision.
She heard about the job at Orleans Gallery through school and went to an open event and really impressed the team there.
She then applied for the job and from 60 applicants got an interview and and got the job!
Alongside her job she does a NVQ Level 3 in Community Arts Management

15. Any questions?