Apprenticeships
Apprenticeships offer the best of both worlds. Not only do apprentices start their career and earn a wage – they also get the chance to work towards nationally recognised qualifications.
Apprenticeships give young people the opportunity to learn a job by doing it, at the same time as working towards qualifications.
If your son or daughter is employed as an apprentice, they will spend most of their time in the work-place, working alongside experienced staff. They will build up knowledge and skills through on-the-job training. The rest of their training is likely to take place at a local college or a specialist training organisation.
The majority of apprentices are employed by a company and receive a wage of at least £2.50 per hour. (This works out at £95 for a 38 hour week.) Research has found that many employers increase wages as apprentices’ skills develop. The national average take home pay for employed apprentices is around £170 a week.
Apprenticeships are available in a wide range of occupational areas and they can act as a stepping stone to university. As part of their apprenticeship a young person will work towards an National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) at Level 2 or 3 as well as Key Skills qualifications and a technical certificate such as a BTEC or City and Guilds. Visit www.apprenticeships.org.uk for more information.
