Tony Dann Careers Advisor/Employer Links
The Apprentice Reece Matthews, former student on the BDO School Leaver Programme
Informed Choices and Options Next Steps after college Higher Education and degree options (UCAS) National Apprenticeship Company Apprenticeship (sponsored degree and/or professional qualifications to level 4,5, 6 or 7) Another FE or 6 th Form college Employment without training Gap Year Some students will apply for more than one pathway such as a full time degree and a Higher Apprenticeship
Alternative Destinations Apprenticeships and Sponsored Degrees Apprenticeships (Level 3, 4 or above) Sponsored Degrees (UCAS/Non UCAS) Scholarship (e.g. EY Lancaster or Novus and Huddersfield) Traineeships (Company Sponsored) School Leaver Programmes (Professional Qualifications equivalent to a degree)
Apprenticeships Intermediate Apprenticeships (Level 2) Advanced Apprenticeships (Level 3) 2+ GCSEs at A*-C grade (or equivalent) Qualifications equivalent of 5 GCSEs 5+ GCSEs at A*-C grade (or equivalent) These advanced qualifications are the equivalent of 2 A-levels Often involve elements of management responsibility Higher Apprenticeships (Level 4) 2+ A-Levels A*-C grade (or equivalent) Qualifications equivalent of a foundation degree, Higher National Diploma (HND) or Higher National Certificate (HNC) Degree Apprenticeships Some times referred to as school leaver programmes and may offer professional qualifications equivalent to level 6 or 7 Work towards a degree while earning money and avoiding fees
Question for the Apprentice Did you apply for University as well?
Basic Facts All apprenticeships are real jobs so all apprentices earn a salary. You must be paid at least the national minimum apprenticeship wage and many employers pay significantly more. Apprentices should work for at least 30 hours per week and an apprenticeship takes between one and five years to complete, depending upon the level of apprenticeship and the industry sector. Most of the training is delivered in the workplace, so you will learn the skills you need to do the job well. The rest of the training is given by a training organisation, either at the workplace, offsite (perhaps at college) or via e-learning. The training is specifically tailored to ensure you develop the skills the employer wants, giving apprentices a real advantage in the workplace. This means that apprentices not only have better long term salary prospects, but they also have excellent progression opportunities, whether looking to study further or climb the ranks within the workplace.
Apprenticeships The role of the Learning/Training Provider Training Provider Recruitment and selection Company A Company B Company C
Question for the Apprentice Do you have any observations or comments about Training Providers?
Asphalt Higher Apprentice (Darwen) Aggregate Industries Uk Ltd The first year will be a generic period of development and include the principles of minerals extraction and their properties along with product quality and testing. The starting weekly wage is 288.46 By the third year of your Apprenticeship, having acquired a range of managerial attributes, you will be expected to demonstrate this knowledge and skill within a Supervisory position. After completion of the 3 year Higher Apprenticeship, there are a number of options you may choose to pursue including: -Optional progression to the BSc Honours Degree in Mineral Management. -A career in Operations Management or, given the size and scope of our company, an exciting career in another division/department. Personal qualities Well presented Drive and determined to succeed Independently minded Team player Qualifications required 5 GCSE's A*-C including Maths, English language & Science 2 A-Levels grade A-C with at least 1 STEM subject (Science, Technology, Engineering or Maths) or equivalent.
Business Administration Apprentice CSC Computer Science Corporation The Project Management Apprenticeship will cover an 18 month syllabus whereby in Year 1 you will work towards a Level 3 Business Administration qualification with progression to a Level 4 within the same period. Starting weekly wage 230.00 Personal qualities A passion and interest in Business Administration, Finance and Project Management. Good analytical and problem solving skills. Excellent communication skills, with a strong Customer service ethos. Ability to work independently, or as part of a team, and participate in peer to peer knowledge transfer. Ability to work calmly under pressure, and handle conflicting priorities. Responds well to positive leadership. Ongoing willingness to develop new skills and embrace new technologies. Positive Attitude. To work within the Project Management and Business Support function to provide information, reporting, assignment and planning, deployments, demand and sourcing. End to End Project Lifecycle Governance/Compliance. Financial Management and Control. Schedule/Plan Co-Ordination. Risk and Issue Management. Resource & Demand Management. Change Management. Mailbox Management. Measurement & Reporting.
SAS Daniels Legal Apprenticeship What can you expect during your apprenticeship? Apprentices are employees of SAS Daniels and are personally mentored by one of our solicitors or partners. Training and assessment is delivered by Manchester Metropolitan University who work closely with SAS Daniels throughout the apprenticeship and who are in regular contact with our apprentices as they visit and assess in the work place. Year one of your apprenticeship The first year will be your starting point in a successful career in law. Through on and off the job training, you ll be helping our solicitors with duties and we ll be helping you build your legal knowledge. After you have completed the One Year Apprenticeship, you ll be invited to apply for the second phase of the programme the two year Higher Apprenticeship. The Higher Apprenticeship During the Higher Apprenticeship you ll be immersed in the legal work carried out by SAS Daniels assisting solicitors and partners with their legal matters, having your own responsibilities within the team, carrying out legal research and building relationships with our clients. What is SAS Daniels looking for? We are looking for bright, ambitious students who have completed A Levels or equivalent, who have decided to pursue a vocational rather than academic / university route. As well as demonstrating a passion for working in the legal sector and sharing our firm s values you will need to show real drive and determination to succeed in what can be a demanding sector. Entry level for the Legal Apprenticeship Scheme is 240 UCAS points GCSEs in English, Maths and Science, grades A* C. Pay and benefits A starting salary of 12,000 a year; 24 days holiday (plus bank holidays); Nationally recognised apprenticeship qualifications; All training costs fully funded.
Question for the Apprentice What was your Apprenticeship offer? Where did you find out about Apprenticeships and vacancies?
Apprenticeships/Sponsored Degrees Key points to think about:- Competition can be fierce Recruitment and selection processes are time consuming UCAS Points Tariff range from 160 to 340 Some skills shortage areas are less competitive Minimum pay is 2.65 Average is 170 per week across all apprenticeships Higher Apprenticeship starting salaries range from 8K to 23K Very limited number of Higher Apprenticeships in Wigan Driving licence is invaluable Wage rises and bonuses Usual recruitment age 16 to 24 Can be a progression route to HE No tuition fees (normally) Earn while you learn
The Process The Audit Programme Click here to hear about the application process! Online application Situational Judgement Tests Verbal and numerical reasoning test First round interview A telephone call Second round interview Analysis exercise Partner Interview Presentation
Question for the Apprentice How did you find the recruitment and selection process? Was it competency based? What advice would you give young people in the audience about applying for Apprenticeships and the recruitment and selection process?
Employability Skills Employability skills are those that are particularly sought by recruiters as they make for effective employees, with skills useful in any role. There are several definitions of employability skills, but the CBI have produced a useful list with definitions - see the CBI website: Boosting employability skills for definitions and a checklist. Self-management Teamwork Business and customer awareness Problem solving Communication and literacy Application of numeracy Application of Information Technology Entrepreneurship Underpinning all skills - a positive attitude. Plus those outlined in the person specification for that job role
The STAR Approach Situation: Explain the situation that you were in. This should be a short description, it could be: during my college course or whilst working in a shop. Task: You need to briefly explain what it is that you had to do, and what the success criteria was. If you were working as a group explain what the overall task of the group was but be clear about your own role. Action: This is the most substantial part (around 50-70%) of any example and you need to include: What you did. Why you did it. How you did it. What skills you used. Result: There is little point in explaining the situation, task and action if the employer or course provider is left wondering whether what you did made any difference. So be prepared to explain: What happened as a result of the actions you took? What you would do differently or improve? What impact the result had overall on the team task?
Young people in the room Do you know what occupational areas you are interested in? Do you know what competencies as well as entry requirements a potential employer is looking for? Do a Gap Analysis and address the gaps Don t say it prove it! Where is the evidence??
NCS Job Profiles Skills, interests and qualities To be a social media manager, you ll need: great communication skills to enjoy working with people and have a sociable personality good organisation and time management skills an eye for detail and the ability to work accurately an interest in internet marketing and social media trends the ability to deal with more than one task at a time creativity presentation skills an analytical approach to data good writing skills a commitment to keep on top of changes in technology. https://nationalcareersservice.direct.gov.uk/advice/planning/jobprofiles/pages/social mediamanager.aspx#
Apprenticeship : Examples of College Leaver Destinations Stockport Council (Project Management/Democratic Services) Stephensons Solicitors (Legal Executive) BDO (Trainee Auditor) Horwich Farrelly (Legal Executives x 3) Vodaphone (Software Developer) Fourteen IP (IT Network Services and Internal Communications) Kuits Solicitors (Social Media Marketing Coordinator) BacSol (Trainee Quantity Surveyor) Trelleborg (IT Project Management) 3P Logistics (Customer Services) UKFast (IT Network Services) Hanson (Mineral Technologist/Trainee Site Supervisor) AstraZeneca (HR Management Trainee) MI5/6/GCHQ (Technology Degree) SAS Daniels LLP (Legal Services) BAE Systems (Software Developer) Birchall Blackburn (Legal Services)
St John Rigby College - Apprenticeship Case Study Template Lauren Davies Achieved grades: IT A Level-B Business BTEC-D*D* Name of the company: Kuits Solicitors Title of the apprenticeship: Social Media and Digital, Level 3 at The Juice Academy Why a career in Social Media Marketing? I use social media every day of my life as I am sure you also do, this means I get to apply this to a business environment and help my place of work develop in the social media world. For example where I work just one part of my job has been helping develop and improve 10 Twitter accounts across the firm. I ve also helped rebrand the accounts to make them consistent. What I like particularly about my position is it crosses over a lot with regular marketing which I also find really interesting but was unsure of which path to follow, so the fact I get to do both every day and each day is different for me is brilliant. I can honestly say I LOVE my job!
St John Rigby College - Apprenticeship Case Study Beth Keeley Achieved grades: BTEC Sub Applied Biology Distinction IT BTEC ND -D*/D* Name of the company: Vodaphone Title of the apprenticeship: IT Higher Apprenticeship Level 4 Why a career in IT I have always enjoyed IT and wanted to build on the qualifications from SJR which is an excellent foundation for my next steps into a Higher Apprenticeship. I'll be at the HQ in Newbury on the 28th of September, for a three day induction programme spread over several weeks and I'll be based in Manchester. It's 20,000 per annum then after my 2 years training it's 22,000, I think it's definitely one of the best apprenticeships I could have got. They pay for all your training and support you in your personal development.
St John Rigby College - Apprenticeship Case Study Daniel Sharples A Level grades: A, A*, B in Business Studies, History and ICT Destination: Business Administration Apprenticeship (Level 4) at Stockport Council Why did you decide to pursue an Apprenticeship? I had originally planned to go to University to study Politics and/or History, as it seemed the natural progression following college, however I struggled to explain why I wanted to go to University when filling in my Personal Statement and therefore decided to explore other options. What are the benefits? Entering an organisation at a lower entry level and being paid as you rise through the structure and learn at the same time is a much better option than paying for university and entering at a higher level. From working in a large organisation like a Local Authority, I have seen that apprentices with experience have a better chance than graduates with no experience when it comes to graduate level vacancies. Having a functional qualification is very beneficial, especially as the organisation pays for it.
The Future Apprenticeship Levy (growth + implications for graduate employment market?) Apprenticeships and competition for places A competency based approach Degree Apprenticeship Developments
Future Development MMU Masters Level 7 Management Masters Level 7 MSc Digital & Technology Specialist Degree Apprenticeship in UX Design (User Experience) Degree Apprenticeship in Digital Marketing Degree Apprenticeship for Teaching Assistants Degree Apprenticeship in Healthcare Science Engineering (Transport)
Employment at 18 Advantages No student debt More disposable income Potential for quite high earnings Foot on career ladder Many top graduate employers now recruit at 18 too Broad range of opportunities across a wide spectrum of industries and career sectors Disadvantages You need to be work ready at 18 You miss out on the true Uni experience Not in UCAS (yet), so you can t source all the opportunities in one place Each one has separate selection process Location source own accommodation? Commitment to a specific job at 18? Uni gives time to grow, develop, build networks, prepare for a changing world?
Sources of Information NAS Website www.apprenticeships.org.uk College Careers Service-Apprenticeship face book site links to company and Training Provider websites www.notgoingtouni.co.uk Lists vacancies National Careers Service for CV development and Job Profiles to support applications www.direct.gov.uk/nationalcareersservice CBI Employability Skills http://www.cbi.org.uk/business-issues/education-andskills/in-focus/employability/ School Leaver Guide and reviews of Apprenticeship programmes http://www.ratemyapprenticeship.co.uk/apprenticeships College Intranet Careers drop down menu
Any final questions? Contact details tony.dann@sjr.ac.uk Please can we thank Reece Thank you for your support Safe journey home