According to careers advisors, apprenticeships are becoming increasingly popular among school-leavers. They are now seen as excellent career opportunities, offering an alternative to schools and colleges’ purely theory and exam-based education, and allowing young people to learn as they earn.
Currently over 240,000 people work as apprentices across England, but this number is likely to grow as the government plans to plough more than £1billion into increasing the number of places available. You can do an apprenticeship in almost anything, at the moment you can choose from 80 different sectors of industry, including everything from hospitality and engineering to sea fishing!
Take a look at Abbigail and Lucy’s stories to find out how successful you could be.
Lucy
‘My Advanced Apprenticeship and the NHS have helped me plan my future,’ says 19 year old Lucy, whose initiative on a project saw an incredible 104 per cent increase in interest.
When she left school at 16, Lucy lacked ambition. She didn't want to go to college like all her friends as she had felt uninspired at school. However, she then learned about Apprenticeships and decided this was the route for her.
Lucy started her Advanced Apprenticeship in Business Administration with the NHS in February 2005. ‘The thing that attracted me most to my Apprenticeship was the ability to earn whilst I learnt. I could not believe that within seven months I had completed my Apprenticeship, I was a different person with clear goals,’ said Lucy.
One of Lucy’s main roles involves helping unemployed men into health and social care. Whilst her colleagues were on leave, Lucy did some research and decided to host an information day, which was attended by 270 people. As a result, Lucy helped an average of four people a week to secure job interviews, including mentoring and coaching them.
Andy Brooks from NHS London said: ‘Lucy has more than proved herself and she is a shining example to her peers. She used her own initiative to promote the ‘Men into Care’ project and managed to increase interest in the project by 104 per cent.'
‘The impact of having such a positive young person working as an apprentice in the team has created a growing amount of interest throughout our organisation. Lucy’s drive and positive results have been one of the main reasons that the NHS is willing to continue running Apprenticeships.’
Lucy continued: ‘I love my job and the idea that I can actually help people through the work I am doing. I have helped promote the Apprenticeships we offer by talking to young people in schools and making them more aware of their options. It has been great.'
‘In the space of two years I have completed my Advanced Apprenticeship and been promoted twice. I now have the ambition I once lacked and the motivation to go with it. I hope to study for a degree in business administration, and gain a management role in the future.’
Lucy Rouillon was Highly Commended in the Advanced Apprentice of the Year category in the national Apprenticeship Awards 2007.
Abbigail
Abbigail, 15, chanced upon her future career thanks to completing her Young Apprenticeship in Arts and Design at Tyne Metropolitan College. ‘I thoroughly enjoyed all my placements, particularly with graphic designers Bgroup. My Apprenticeship has been inspirational, and helped me decide on a career in advertising,’ she says.
Abbigail started her Young Apprenticeship in August 2005 with a placement at Blueprint Interior, before joining a freelancer photographer, Liz King, for a short period, and finally working with high profile advertising agency, the Bgroup.
The programme provided Abbigail with a fantastic opportunity to get an insight into arts and design, and in particular, the advertising field. Her experience has increased her confidence and taught her how to work independently: ‘My Apprenticeship helped me improve my professional skills, which helped me succeed in my BTEC First Diploma and GCSE Art.’
The Young Apprenticeship programme has meant a lot to Abbigail: ‘Completing the whole programme, on top of my other studies and interests, has been a great achievement. Through my work with Bgroup I have made my first step into the advertising industry. I was involved with producing a logo for a new jewellery shop and this practical experience will really help boost my career.’
Peter McKenna, Tyne Metropolitan College, says: ‘Abbi has made a positive and demonstrable impact on all the employers and staff she has worked with. She has supported fellow students and would be an outstanding ambassador for the Young Apprenticeship programme.’
Abbigail is currently at college continuing with Art and is also studying for AS Levels in Philosophy & Ethics, Media Studies and Art. She has plans to study art at university and wants to map a career in advertising.
To find out more about Apprenticeships, visit www.apprenticeships.org.uk or call the Apprenticeships helpline on 08000 150 600.
|