With thousands more battling for the same number of places - around 479,000 - this year even more students face rejection from all of their university choices. They will have to decide whether to apply in the year of the higher fees, 2012, or look elsewhere for the opportunity to progress their career.
An increasing number of young people with a degree had to start again when they left university and do some vocational training. Getting into employment earlier, earning on the job and not running up student debt means that apprentices are definitely giving graduates a run for their money.
According to a Department of Education and Skills study carried out in 2007 those with level 2 apprenticship (equivalent to GCSE) earn more than £73,000 more over their lifetime than those who have other level 2 qualifications and below. Those with a level 3 apprenticeship (equivalent to A-level) earn around £105,000 more than those with other level 2 qualifications. Apprenticeships are not only a solid choice for young people but, in many cases, a better route into their chosen career than A-level and university. Young people and their parents are increasingly waking up to this fact and recognising the importance of work related learning in today's competitive economy.
As one of the few areas of education and training not to be hit by government cuts, the apprenticeship market is thriving and the government has pledged to create more than 75,000 new apprenticeship places by 2015. But despite the potential for good salaries and career progression apprenticeships are still not given the status they deserve. A stigma still exists with people tending to think one isn't clever enough for university. This is just not right!
Knowledge about apprenticeships can also be poor. It is important that ALL options available to young people get equitable airing with up to date information and advice. A 2009 study by the education charity Edge found that more than half of teachers rated their knowledge of apprenticships as poor with just 24% of teachers believing apprenticships to be a good alternative to A-level or equivalent qualifications. This begs the question of how developed the quality of careers advice and guidance is within our schools.
GREINER GOLD
Do the innovation
Greiner Packaging, Dungannon are offering opportunities for learning and development through their new apprenticeship scheme. For those interested in developing essential technical skills, obtaining a recognised vocational and academic qualification, benefitting from a broad range of experience in a variety of different technical areas, then this opportunity within the engineering sector needs to be explored!
Greiner Packaging Internatinal (GPI) read more have been operating successfully for the past 50 years. Today GPI is among the most important packaging processors in Europe, with 31 locations. Located in Dungannon the company employs 185 staff. The technology used is thermoforming, dry offset printing, sleeving, k3 and extrusion blow moulding. the company continues to develop new methods and is paticularly proud of its new development programme for apprentices.
The first intake to the Greiner GOLD programme is in September 2011.
The Greiner GOLD programme was formally launched in November 2010 and will feature prominently in the forthcoming STEM Engineering Conference to be held in SW College, Dungannon on Wednesday 2nd March 2011.
The minimum entrance requirement for those interested include:
- 5 GCSEs or above including Maths, English and a Science/Technical subject (or equivalent qualification such as an NVQ)
- Strong IT skills
- Be able to demonstrate excellent technical capability
For those interested in applying please contact
Human Resources Department on 028 8772 3131 for your application pack
The Apprenticeship Agency
'The apprentice agency' launched this week (December 2010), promises to cut the red tape and stacks of paperwork that currently put small business owners off employing apprentices. A joint venture by the Learning and Skills Network (LSN) and The Workshop, the apprentice agency is partnering with colleges to help small businesses by offering them 'work-ready' apprentices.
The company promises to provide the support to make it possible for SMEs to take advantage of apprenticeships. With government plans to fund 75,000 new apprenticeship places over the next 5 years, this support will allow SMEs to compete with big business for the best apprentices.
Piloting the programme in Reading and Oxford, the Apprentice Agency will offer businesses a choice of apprentices that meet their needs, and then employ the apprentice directly on the business's behalf, cutting down on paperwork and removing much of the employer's risk. Partner colleges will deliver the learning either through day release or, where appropriate, on site courses.
Cathy Diver, head of Reading College's IT unit, is one of the company's first clients, having used The apprentice agency to secure its first ICT apprentices:
"We are excited to take part in The apprentice agency scheme. We needed to expand the team to cover first line support for the IT helpdesk.
As an employer I strongly support the approach, because it's difficult to get into the IT industry without previous job experience. I expect this will help the industry - often made up of small employers - to uncover "IT gems". Another clear benefit of offering apprenticeships is that we keep our staff costs down, enabling the college to invest any savings into technology improvements."
The apprentice agency aims to place 300 apprentices within the first 12 months of operation. Initially, three apprenticeships are on offer: IT technician, Business Administrator (including financial admin), and IT User. However The apprentice agency will expand its offer to meet local employers' needs.
"We've launched with these courses first because every business needs administrative and IT support, and many don't realise that apprenticeship is an option when they are looking to fill these roles,"
said Phil Jefferies, Manager of The apprentice agency.
"We would love businesses to tell us what their skills needs are, so The apprentice agency can grow our offer. The service is completely employer-led, and available to help businesses source and manage a high quality apprentice."
Sally Dicketts, Principal of Reading and Oxford and Cherwell Valley Colleges, commented on the new offer:
"In my view, apprenticeships raise students' learning and future job prospects to a higher level, and many businesses report back on a whole range of benefits that apprentices bring.
"We encourage businesses to get in touch with The apprentice agency, to discuss the benefits, particularly in terms of time and cost, that it can offer them."
It will be important for our careers teachers to work closely with their DEL careers partners inestablishing if such a scheme currently exists in NI or if not are ther plans for a similar project to take effect in the near future.
Interested in learning more about The apprentice agency? Read more
or call 0845 680 8254
National Apprenticeship Week 7th - 11th February
Monday 7th to Friday 11th February is this year's Apprenticeship Week. The aim of this week is to highlight the achievements of apprentices and celebrate the value of Apprenticeships. It is also about creating a better understanding of what apprenticeships are; which is what we aim to help you with.
Although Apprenticeships offer a great alternative to staying in full time education, there is still a general lack of knowledge about vocational training amongst school leavers. That's why we've created a short but informative film to help you and your clients or students gain a better basic understanding of apprenticeships.
Employers recruiting apprentices now
More and more employers are now recruiting apprentices as well as, and often instead of, graduates. Here's a sample of some of the best out there now...
BT Apprenticeship - award winning engineering and technology apprenticeship
Microsoft Partner Apprenticeship - 10 month advanced IT apprenticeship
Halfords Autocentre Apprenticeship - UK's largest 'Aftermarket’ Apprenticeship
Headlight competition is now open
Headlight is the exciting schools project developed by the Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI) and the National Schools Partnership (NSP). The project includes a series of creative curriculum-linked teacher and student resources all aimed at those studying KS4 business related courses, with the motor industry as the stimulating backdrop.
Students will learn about the wide variety of job roles across the sector and can enter their work into a national competition. The winning team will receive a 4x4 off-roading day plus tours of the Jaguar manufacturing plant and the Land Rover heritage museum. Participating schools will also benefit from being linked to local employers. To learn more about Headlight, click here.
And in related news...
Netmums , the UK's fastest-growing online parenting organisation, recently launched a free careers resource on their website packed full of career films and news for parents and teenagers. Discover it for yourself here.
If you would like to know more please do not hesitate to contact Careersbox on 01223 240099 or by e-mail read more
100,000 new apprenticeships by 2014
This morning, Vince Cable showed the government's support by announcing that an extra 100,000 apprenticeships are to be created by 2014, encouraging businesses to take on more young workers.
You might have also seen our 'Understanding Apprenticeships' recently. We've made an updated version of it now for you to embed in your own site to help spread the word and build understanding about the benefits of apprenticeships. Simply visit Careersbox, and click on the 'Embed this film in your website' link below the film you want.
On our homepage this week you'll find a collection of other fantastic apprenticeship films, all of which you can embed too!
Current apprenticeship opportunities
More and more employers are recruiting apprentices as they see the value they can bring to their workplace. Here's a sample of some of the best out there...
British Gas Apprenticeship - service and repair engineer apprenticeships
BT Apprenticeship - award winning engineering and technology apprenticeship
Microsoft Partner Apprenticeship - 10 month advanced IT apprenticeship
Halfords Autocentre Apprenticeship - UK's largest 'Aftermarket’ Apprenticeship
Skills Minister John Hayes set out his vision for apprenticeships and reaffirmed the Government's commitment to work-based learning and training.
He told an audience at the Group Training Association England annual conference that the Government was firmly committed to expanding apprenticeships and making them more accessible to learners and businesses.
The minister spoke of the role Group Training Associations (GTA) play in helping businesses, particularly small businesses, take on apprentices and challenged them to engage with more employers and get them involved with the apprenticeships programme.
John Hayes said:
"The truest measure of the success or failure of this Government's commitment to apprenticeships will be found in how well-equipped today's young people will be in future years to face the shifting challenges of life and work.
"To be successful in that, we must create a radically new model for workplace training with apprenticeships at its heart and with partnership between Government, employers and individuals as its motive force.
"We have promised to re-shape the apprenticeships programme to ensure that it provides more high-quality training opportunities. We have already begun to deliver on that promise by redeploying £150 million to provide an extra 50,000 places."
The minister told the audience at the Institute of Directors that the Government would expand and improve the apprenticeships programme by building on the existing strengths of the GTA sector.
He has asked the Skills Funding Agency to review what funding they might make available to support the work of GTAs and to help them expand. He told the audience that GTAs can and should play a major role in our drive to increased advanced and higher level skills in growth sectors.
He also invited GTA England to put forward a set of recommendations to him that will help the sector grow in a way that will encourage even more businesses to get involved in apprenticeships and other training.
Mr Hayes said in his speech that the Government plans to reform apprenticeships in order to build on the quality of the training programme, and better meet the needs of employers and learners, and said Government will do this in three ways:
Expanding the number of apprenticeship places on offer and prioritise more advanced skills levels at level three and above;
Take a firm approach in establishing what the employer contribution to apprenticeship programmes should be; and
Make it easier for businesses to access apprenticeships, and in particular small businesses which can take advantage of the support GTAs offer in this respect.
The minister also urged the audience of employers to contribute to the two consultations launched in July. The consultations are gathering suggestions on how the skills system can better meet the needs of employers and learners, and how to simplify the funding system to enable colleges and providers to deliver more efficiency and effectively.
At the conference, the minister also announced that the work of UKSkills, an independent charity which champions skills and learning for work through competitions and awards, is to be come part of the Skills Funding Agency.
UKSkills' activities and staff will be transferred and the Skills Funding Agency will lead a more coherent programme to promote skills and apprenticeships through international competitions and award ceremonies which recognise home grown talent, in partnership with the Devolved Administrations. A highlight will be the WorldSkills 2011 international competition which is being hosted by the UK in London in October 2011.Careers event: 16 -17 February
JTL, the leading training provider to the building services engineering sector will be attending SMAARTSKILLS at Wembley Stadium later this month.
SMAARTSKILLS is the one place for young adults aged 15-24 to discover the huge range of careers, training schemes, apprenticeships, educational options and skills opportunities available to them. For full details visit SMAARTevents. It's a free event running on the dates below:-
Wednesday February 16th 2011 10.00AM - 3.30PM
Thursday February 17th 2011 9.30AM - 3.00PM
JTL offer advanced apprenticeships in electrical installation, plumbing and heating and ventilation. Visit the JTL website for a host of useful tools to help make informed decisions about a future in the engineering sector.
If you would like to order any FREE literature from JTL including leaflets, posters and interactive CDs then fill in the order form by cotacting beverleycooper@jtltraining.com.
Apprenticeship Week 2011
This week (7-11 February) Lantra are celebrating Apprenticeships in England and Wales, as a part of Apprenticeship Week 2011. That’s because we want to highlight the outstanding work of land-based and environmental apprentices, and thank the employers that support them and help build the workforce of tomorrow.
So whether you are an employer considering taking on an apprentice or if you think you might like to sharpen your skills through an Apprenticeship, find out more to get started.
• Read articles that answer many questions about Apprenticeships
• Watch some trees and timber and horticultural apprentices at work in our benefits to Apprenticeships films
• Read interesting case studies about apprentices and about employers working with apprentices
• Read our latest issue of Connect, our free magazine, and see our feature on Apprenticeships.
• Get the latest updates on Apprenticeship week by following us LantraSSC on Twitter
• Download the latest Apprenticeship Framework documents to find out what skills are learned through this programme
Read more
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