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Advice for parents

What are the benefits of an apprenticeship for your son or daughter?

Get a job

Earn a salary

Receive training

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Gain a qualification

As parents, you want your child to get the best possible start to their career. There are various options to consider such as staying in full time education, spending 30+ hours a week working or starting a Traineeship or Apprenticeship. The most important factor to consider is what your child would like to do as a future career.

With apprenticeships, your child can start to gain ‘real-world’ practical learning in industries such as health and social care, dental nursing or children & young people’s workforce, as well as business administration, management or team leading. There are many choices to pick from when selecting an apprenticeship with your child being able to earn whilst they learn and gain valuable employability skills and qualifications.

If your child is aged 16 or over, they can apply for an apprenticeship and begin work, learn new skills and build a career. The combination of practical on the job training and theoretical learning in training companies or further education colleges has become more appealing and useful than going to university.

Apprenticeships vs University

  Apprenticeships University
Cost If you’re aged 16 to 19, no cost. £27,000 plus living expenses.
Earnings Receive apprenticeship wage No earnings
Employers view Train people their way. No work experience.
Job prospects 90% of apprentices stay with employer. No guaranteed position.
Subjects on offer A wide variety of courses to choose from. Variety of degrees.
Focus on training One-to-one on the job training. Classroom based learning.
  • Parents who think Apprenticeships are an excellent way to earn and learn: 68%
  • Parents who believe university doesn’t suit everyone: 62%
  • Parents who don’t believe Apprenticeships lead to low paid, low skilled jobs: 91%
  • Parents who don’t believe Apprenticeships will slow the career progression of their child: 93%
  • Parents who believe that their children need to go to university in order to compete in the job market: 11%

Research conducted in 2016 by the ncfe

Levels of apprenticeships

Intermediate Apprenticeship

An Intermediate Apprenticeship is a Level 2 qualification, equivalent to five good GCSE passes. This qualification provides the skills for apprentice’s chosen career and gain entry to an Advanced Apprenticeship, Level 3.

Advanced Apprenticeship

An Advanced Apprenticeship is a Level 3 qualification equivalent to two A-level passes. To start this qualification, applicants should have five GCSE’s at grade C or above or completed an Intermediate Apprenticeship.

Higher Apprenticeship

A Higher Apprenticeship a Level 4 or 5 qualification, equivalent to a higher education certificate, higher education diploma or foundation degree. This qualification gives the chance to progress up to a higher education level.

FAQS

What is an apprenticeship?

An apprenticeship is a full time job with added training and assessment meaning your child will gain on the job experience, earn a wage and receive a nationally recognised qualification. An apprenticeship teaches both the theoretical aspect of the industry you’re working in as well as the practical experience.
Read more on what is an apprenticeship here.

Is this going to cost us?

No, if your child is aged between 16 and 18, it will cost you absolutely nothing. The training is completely funded by the government.

Read more on apprenticeship funding here.

How much will they earn?

The minimum wage for apprentices as of 1st October 2016 is £3.40. The wage of an apprentice can vary, with many employers paying more than this. It all depends on the industry and level of apprenticeship.

An apprentice will earn over £18,000 in their first job, whereas a university graduate will earn closer to £14,000 in their first job due to University graduates lack of work experience.

If my child has an issue at work, who will they speak to?

Each one of our apprentices is visited by a tutor once a month, to train the learner in the workplace and to offer help, support and guidance.

We take safeguarding very seriously and any problems your child have at work they know they can speak to us at any time. Support is available throughout the entirety of the apprenticeship.

Read more about safeguarding here.

What qualification will my child get?

If your child fully completes an advanced apprenticeship, they will gain a qualification equivalent to a diploma, foundation degree level. This is all possible with no cost and leads to huge career potential.

Read more about the levels of apprenticeships here. 

Is there a job at the end of the apprenticeship?

The vast majority of employers will keep an apprentice on as a full time employee. Approximately 90% of apprentices stay with their employer after the apprenticeship is finished, this all depends on their performance throughout the apprenticeship.

My child can’t drive; how will they afford transport to work every day?

There are various options when it comes to funding for transport. As an apprentice, they are entitled to a 16-25 young person’s railcard.

They are also entitled to all student travel discount’s available.

Will my child get similar discounts to what students get?

Yes, they will. Apprentices can apply for an Apprentice NUS extra card, which is £11 for a whole year.

Find out more about what discounts are available here.