Apprenticeships - how do they work?
Discussion
My 17yr old son is in his first year of 6th form doing Levels, but he hates it and has mentioned switching to an automotive engineering apprenticeship, but I have zero knowledge to help him. He doesn't like the academic subjects he's studying and would rather go to college and learn vocational subjects. What are his options please?
Would he need to find an employer offering apprenticeships with a minimum wage salary, or would he maybe need to just attend college for a ew years and get some qualifications first, then seek an apprenticeship to take the studying further?
Would he need to find an employer offering apprenticeships with a minimum wage salary, or would he maybe need to just attend college for a ew years and get some qualifications first, then seek an apprenticeship to take the studying further?
Different rules depending on where you are in the UK, all detailed here: https://www.gov.uk/become-apprentice
I work in IT for a vehicle OEM, we've got two apprentices. They were chosen from a 'short' list of 100 applicants. They are getting phenomenal experience and a University qualification, both have been told they are guaranteed jobs at the end of it.
It's an amazing opportunity and they haven't ended up 50k in debt. Very competitive application process though.
I work in IT for a vehicle OEM, we've got two apprentices. They were chosen from a 'short' list of 100 applicants. They are getting phenomenal experience and a University qualification, both have been told they are guaranteed jobs at the end of it.
It's an amazing opportunity and they haven't ended up 50k in debt. Very competitive application process though.
I would concur with looking at engineering and aerospace. 15 years ago I was in the exact same position. Hated A Levels, got an apprenticeship as an electrical fitter in the local shipyard.
Many apprenticeships are lead by the college, as I worked for a large corp most of mine was all in-house apart from the academic side of things. All training required should be covered in the respective apprenticeship scheme.
I personally would be eyeing up defence/nuclear/aerospace industries, but that said many skills are transferable regardless.
I am a massive advocate for apprenticeships, as this route saw me well.
At 24 I bought my first house,15 years after leaving school I have a foundation degree, a degree, no debt a good quality of life and an engaging job as a Senior Commissioning Engineer.
Wish him the best of luck!
Many apprenticeships are lead by the college, as I worked for a large corp most of mine was all in-house apart from the academic side of things. All training required should be covered in the respective apprenticeship scheme.
I personally would be eyeing up defence/nuclear/aerospace industries, but that said many skills are transferable regardless.
I am a massive advocate for apprenticeships, as this route saw me well.
At 24 I bought my first house,15 years after leaving school I have a foundation degree, a degree, no debt a good quality of life and an engaging job as a Senior Commissioning Engineer.
Wish him the best of luck!
As mentioned above maybe consider aerospace or similar industries.
I started my career in the defence industry as an apprentice and I can honestly say it has been the best career decision that I have ever made, especially after years of not "fitting in" to an exclusively academic environment.
The scope for personal and career development has been huge. It is worth looking at applying directly with an employer (many of their websites have early career pages). If you can provide a rough location that may help with shortlisting.
I started my career in the defence industry as an apprentice and I can honestly say it has been the best career decision that I have ever made, especially after years of not "fitting in" to an exclusively academic environment.
The scope for personal and career development has been huge. It is worth looking at applying directly with an employer (many of their websites have early career pages). If you can provide a rough location that may help with shortlisting.
There are various levels.
Most “degree apprenticeships” (where you work and learn with an employer, but end up with a degree at the end of the programme) require A-Levels, and obviously the most desirable employers/programmes are very competitive.
Below Degree Apprenticeships you have “higher level” apprenticeships (Level 4 and Level 5) often require A-Levels too, but not all and it’s worth checking.
You then have lower levels of apprenticeships (Level 2 and 3). These are highly varied in their quality and value. Level 3 in an IT-linked discipline good, in hair and beauty less so.
There are different minimum wages for apprentices. Currently £5.28/hr for apprentices age 16-19; age 19 and over the national minimum/living wage applies.
Most “degree apprenticeships” (where you work and learn with an employer, but end up with a degree at the end of the programme) require A-Levels, and obviously the most desirable employers/programmes are very competitive.
Below Degree Apprenticeships you have “higher level” apprenticeships (Level 4 and Level 5) often require A-Levels too, but not all and it’s worth checking.
You then have lower levels of apprenticeships (Level 2 and 3). These are highly varied in their quality and value. Level 3 in an IT-linked discipline good, in hair and beauty less so.
There are different minimum wages for apprentices. Currently £5.28/hr for apprentices age 16-19; age 19 and over the national minimum/living wage applies.
There’s a lot to be said for persevering and getting some a-levels even if they are not amazing. You never know when they might come in handy…. He may decide he wants to go to uni later etc.
I did my a levels, got a U in maths along with everyone in my Class. Scuppered my plans for uni so I started an apprenticeship with rolls Royce. Back in the day it was pretty old fashioned but I learned a lot of engineering skills as well as technical skills. I did that for a few years, then got fed up with the old man politics so worked in It for a few years before I finally went to uni at 23…
I now work at the forefront of unmanned aerospace research.
I did my a levels, got a U in maths along with everyone in my Class. Scuppered my plans for uni so I started an apprenticeship with rolls Royce. Back in the day it was pretty old fashioned but I learned a lot of engineering skills as well as technical skills. I did that for a few years, then got fed up with the old man politics so worked in It for a few years before I finally went to uni at 23…
I now work at the forefront of unmanned aerospace research.
My middle son uummd and aahhd about an apprenticeship within the aerospace industry, always been into aviation, started flying lessons at 14. He went to an open day for post 6th form at Leonardo Systems based in Luton, a huge European co involved in all sorts, of avionics, weapon systems, nav aids etc, but decided to go for his degree outside and then joined their post grad intake afterwards. He did a fair bit of research and the consensus was that their post grad system is very good and the opportunities to move onward and upward quicker were better than going through their apprenticeship route. 8 years down the line things are going very well for him, been heavily involved for the past 3 years in updating and improving some of the shockingly bad systems they built the Typhoon with, he’s not allowed to go into much detail though!
Thanks everyone.
I'll have a chat with him and discuss the options. He's half way through his first year of A levels, so nothing wasted if he opts out, but I'd like him to continue with them as he's a bright lad and just needs motivation, and then he consider his options. But if he really does hate A levels then I won't be forceing him to continue.
I'll have a chat with him and discuss the options. He's half way through his first year of A levels, so nothing wasted if he opts out, but I'd like him to continue with them as he's a bright lad and just needs motivation, and then he consider his options. But if he really does hate A levels then I won't be forceing him to continue.
Ok it’s 35 years ago, but I did an Engineering Apprenticeship with Ford (back when they still did them) which, at the time, was considered one of the better ones to do. As such, it had a huge amount of applications so god knows how I ended up doing it!
The format was 4 weeks technical training within Ford (firstly at the Apprenticeship centre in Dagenham, then in Dunton Engineering Centre), 2 weeks at college where I ended up with an HND in Automotive Engineering. Total of four years. This was then turned into a guaranteed job in, basically, a department of my choice.
It was hugely enjoyable, we were well payed, and got all the benefits of a multinational company. Then I left three and a half years later and never looked back. It gave me an excellent start to life and I’ve done ok ever since.
Good luck to your son!
The format was 4 weeks technical training within Ford (firstly at the Apprenticeship centre in Dagenham, then in Dunton Engineering Centre), 2 weeks at college where I ended up with an HND in Automotive Engineering. Total of four years. This was then turned into a guaranteed job in, basically, a department of my choice.
It was hugely enjoyable, we were well payed, and got all the benefits of a multinational company. Then I left three and a half years later and never looked back. It gave me an excellent start to life and I’ve done ok ever since.
Good luck to your son!
generationx said:
Ok it’s 35 years ago, but I did an Engineering Apprenticeship with Ford (back when they still did them) which, at the time, was considered one of the better ones to do. As such, it had a huge amount of applications so god knows how I ended up doing it!
The format was 4 weeks technical training within Ford (firstly at the Apprenticeship centre in Dagenham, then in Dunton Engineering Centre), 2 weeks at college where I ended up with an HND in Automotive Engineering. Total of four years. This was then turned into a guaranteed job in, basically, a department of my choice.
It was hugely enjoyable, we were well payed, and got all the benefits of a multinational company. Then I left three and a half years later and never looked back. It gave me an excellent start to life and I’ve done ok ever since.
Good luck to your son!
Friend of mine did exactly the same - couple of years before you otherwise it likely you would have been in the same classes! He stuck with Ford and is now in Dearborn as one of their senior design engineers. His team is responsible for the Mach-E amongst others. The trajectory Ford set their apprentices on is one of the best out there.The format was 4 weeks technical training within Ford (firstly at the Apprenticeship centre in Dagenham, then in Dunton Engineering Centre), 2 weeks at college where I ended up with an HND in Automotive Engineering. Total of four years. This was then turned into a guaranteed job in, basically, a department of my choice.
It was hugely enjoyable, we were well payed, and got all the benefits of a multinational company. Then I left three and a half years later and never looked back. It gave me an excellent start to life and I’ve done ok ever since.
Good luck to your son!
StevieBee said:
generationx said:
Ok it’s 35 years ago, but I did an Engineering Apprenticeship with Ford (back when they still did them) which, at the time, was considered one of the better ones to do. As such, it had a huge amount of applications so god knows how I ended up doing it!
The format was 4 weeks technical training within Ford (firstly at the Apprenticeship centre in Dagenham, then in Dunton Engineering Centre), 2 weeks at college where I ended up with an HND in Automotive Engineering. Total of four years. This was then turned into a guaranteed job in, basically, a department of my choice.
It was hugely enjoyable, we were well payed, and got all the benefits of a multinational company. Then I left three and a half years later and never looked back. It gave me an excellent start to life and I’ve done ok ever since.
Good luck to your son!
Friend of mine did exactly the same - couple of years before you otherwise it likely you would have been in the same classes! He stuck with Ford and is now in Dearborn as one of their senior design engineers. His team is responsible for the Mach-E amongst others. The trajectory Ford set their apprentices on is one of the best out there.The format was 4 weeks technical training within Ford (firstly at the Apprenticeship centre in Dagenham, then in Dunton Engineering Centre), 2 weeks at college where I ended up with an HND in Automotive Engineering. Total of four years. This was then turned into a guaranteed job in, basically, a department of my choice.
It was hugely enjoyable, we were well payed, and got all the benefits of a multinational company. Then I left three and a half years later and never looked back. It gave me an excellent start to life and I’ve done ok ever since.
Good luck to your son!
I started September 1987.generationx said:
StevieBee said:
generationx said:
Ok it’s 35 years ago, but I did an Engineering Apprenticeship with Ford (back when they still did them) which, at the time, was considered one of the better ones to do. As such, it had a huge amount of applications so god knows how I ended up doing it!
The format was 4 weeks technical training within Ford (firstly at the Apprenticeship centre in Dagenham, then in Dunton Engineering Centre), 2 weeks at college where I ended up with an HND in Automotive Engineering. Total of four years. This was then turned into a guaranteed job in, basically, a department of my choice.
It was hugely enjoyable, we were well payed, and got all the benefits of a multinational company. Then I left three and a half years later and never looked back. It gave me an excellent start to life and I’ve done ok ever since.
Good luck to your son!
Friend of mine did exactly the same - couple of years before you otherwise it likely you would have been in the same classes! He stuck with Ford and is now in Dearborn as one of their senior design engineers. His team is responsible for the Mach-E amongst others. The trajectory Ford set their apprentices on is one of the best out there.The format was 4 weeks technical training within Ford (firstly at the Apprenticeship centre in Dagenham, then in Dunton Engineering Centre), 2 weeks at college where I ended up with an HND in Automotive Engineering. Total of four years. This was then turned into a guaranteed job in, basically, a department of my choice.
It was hugely enjoyable, we were well payed, and got all the benefits of a multinational company. Then I left three and a half years later and never looked back. It gave me an excellent start to life and I’ve done ok ever since.
Good luck to your son!
I started September 1987.Network rail,Finning caterpillar dealers,Doosan Babcock worth looking into for apprenticeships
Other jobs that can provide decent wage progression if you get stuck in
Irata rope access hard work to start off but level 3 working offshore or wind farm are good payers
Construction plant fitters and drivers are in demand, decent wage if your not academically minded
Other jobs that can provide decent wage progression if you get stuck in
Irata rope access hard work to start off but level 3 working offshore or wind farm are good payers
Construction plant fitters and drivers are in demand, decent wage if your not academically minded
This might be of interest: https://www.heritageskillsacademy.co.uk/apprentice...
Giantt said:
Network rail,Finning caterpillar dealers,Doosan Babcock worth looking into for apprenticeships
Other jobs that can provide decent wage progression if you get stuck in
Irata rope access hard work to start off but level 3 working offshore or wind farm are good payers
Construction plant fitters and drivers are in demand, decent wage if your not academically minded
I would highly recommend the "plant fitter" bit. Other jobs that can provide decent wage progression if you get stuck in
Irata rope access hard work to start off but level 3 working offshore or wind farm are good payers
Construction plant fitters and drivers are in demand, decent wage if your not academically minded
My son left school with very little but a great personality. He got a apprenticeship with an access co (cherry pickers & scissor lifts), did very well at college. At 25 he went to Oz for a couple of years, working in the mines north of Perth and earnt some good money there. Came home after a couple of years as it was too hot.
No problem getting a job back home .
Now on very good money working mainly at Hinckley on plant.
I did an electrical maintenance apprenticeship, this included a HNC in electrical engineering.
I found the work side of it really enjoyable. the academic side i was glad to have it finished.
It was the best decision of my life to choose an apprenticeship, however, staff positions for maintenance personnel can pay rather poor or you need to do shift work. as with most things, contracting is where the money is at.
If he wants to be an engineer then the apprenticeship route is the way forward.
I would reccommend he finishes the A levels. It will give him more oppurtunity to secure the apprenticeship against the competition. There were two apprentices my year and we were both 18, one with A-levels and myself with a BTEC.
I found the work side of it really enjoyable. the academic side i was glad to have it finished.
It was the best decision of my life to choose an apprenticeship, however, staff positions for maintenance personnel can pay rather poor or you need to do shift work. as with most things, contracting is where the money is at.
If he wants to be an engineer then the apprenticeship route is the way forward.
I would reccommend he finishes the A levels. It will give him more oppurtunity to secure the apprenticeship against the competition. There were two apprentices my year and we were both 18, one with A-levels and myself with a BTEC.
Edited by tactical lizard on Tuesday 27th February 09:22
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