Shining a light on what types of apprenticeships are available based on your grades - YourGamePlan.
There are a lot of options available to students after school, unfortunately, no one seems to know what they are. I mean, granted the 'fire it up' ad campaign by the Government is visually lovely, but doesn't really tell you much. So we've broken it down for you.
What are the entry requirements for apprenticeships?/Why an apprenticeship might be for you
Are you unsure whether an apprenticeship may be for you? Would you like to learn what different types of apprenticeship are available for you? Why should you consider an apprenticeship rather than studying at university?
. There are four different levels of apprenticeship available for school leavers either for finishing at 16 or 18 years-old. What are these different types of apprenticeship?
· Intermediate or advanced apprenticeships are level 2 or level 3 apprenticeships – these apprenticeships are for school leavers at the age of 16 and would generally require you to have some GCSEs, however some will require no qualifications.
· Higher or degree apprenticeships are level 4-6 apprenticeships – these apprenticeships are for school leavers at the age of 18 who have A-levels or equivalent qualifications.
Have you left school with no qualifications?
If you are worried that you have left school with no qualifications, there are still apprenticeships out there for you! These will be intermediate apprenticeships and leave you with an NVQ level 2 qualification which is equivalent to achieving GCSEs. HOWEVER, be aware that some intermediate apprenticeships will require you have some GCSE qualifications, specifically maths and English. One key industry with apprenticeships which require no qualification is the retail industry, for example Butchery at Morrisons or as a Pharmacy advisor at Boots.
Have you left school with GCSE qualifications?
Alternatively, if you have finished school with at least 5 GCSEs including maths and English, then an intermediate or advanced apprenticeship may be for you. Employers will generally offer one or the other and specify having GCSEs in certain subjects for example engineering apprenticeships may require GCSEs in relevant sciences. An advanced apprenticeship will leave you with an NVQ level 3, which is equivalent to two A-level passes. These apprenticeships will be common in all industries. Examples of companies with these apprenticeships in different industries are:
· Engineering: BAE systems, GlaxoSmithKline, Centrica, Airbus
· Technology: Siemens, BT, Microsoft
· Banking: Barclays, Lloyds Banking Group, HSBC
· Professional services: Deloitte, PWC, KPMG
Have you left school with A-level qualifications (or equivalent)?
If you are expected to finish school with A-level qualifications, a higher or degree apprenticeship could be a good option for you. A higher apprenticeship (level 4) will provide you with an equivalent qualification to an Higher National Certificate, a foundation degree, or the first year of an undergraduate degree. While as the title suggests a degree apprenticeship will give you the equivalent of a full degree, as you would often be educated at the local university.
On the whole employers require you to have 3 A-levels ranging from 96-120 UCAS points which would be equivalent to CCC-BBB. Many employers will require for apprentices to have A-level in specific subjects for example an engineering degree apprenticeship at Unilever would require at least 2 A-levels of at least a B in one of the following subjects: Chemistry, Biology, Physics, Maths or Further Maths. Higher apprenticeships on the whole require lower A-level grades than degree apprenticeships, higher apprenticeships may only require one or two A-levels. There are many large firms which offer higher and/or degree apprenticeships in key industries:
· Engineering: BAE systems, Unilever, ARUP, GSK, Balfour Beatty, BP, Airbus
· Technology: BBC, Siemens, BT, Microsoft, IBM
· Banking: Barclays, Lloyds Banking Group, HSBC Banking Group, JP Morgan Chase
· Professional Services: Deloitte, EY, PWC, KPMG
· Retail: Tesco, Marks & Spencer, Morrisons
References:
UCAS. 2020. Entry requirements for apprenticeships in England. [Online]. [Accessed 9 January 2020]. Available from: www.ucas.com
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