All parent’s want the best for their child and as exam season quickly approaches before you know it your child will be coming to you for post-school options. With so many options available to school leavers it’s not just your children that are feeling overwhelmed by the choices but also you as parents. Is your child thinking of doing an Apprenticeship? As a parent you may know very little about Apprenticeships but we’re here to help reduce your worries with a parent’s guide to Apprenticeships.
What is an Apprenticeship?
First things first, Apprenticeships are a credible alternative to college and university. If your child doesn’t want to continue full time study, then an Apprenticeship could be just what they are looking for. Apprenticeships involve a mixture of academic study and on the job training meaning you earn as you learn whilst also gain highly sought skills, vital industry experience and nationally recognised qualifications.
Types of Apprenticeships
Long gone are the days when Apprenticeships were only associated with trade careers. Now you can do an Apprenticeship in pretty much everything from construction to business and many more. We’ve put together a list of a few examples:
- Hair and Beauty
- Law (Paralegal, Legal Administrator, Solicitor)
- Construction
- Energy and Renewables
- Business
- Finance
- Sport and Fitness
- IT
- Telecommunications
- Land-based
- Environmental
- Animal Care
- Education
- Childcare
- Health and Social
- Engineering
- Mechanic
- Aerospace
- Manufacturing
- Customer Service
- Hospitality and Travel
- Retail
- Transport, Logistics and Warehouse
- Creative, Digital and Media
- Manager
..and many more (which you can search for at the bottom of this article.)
Levels of Apprenticeships
A common misconception is that Apprenticeships are just for those who didn’t do well in school. Let us tell you that couldn’t be more further from the truth. Apprenticeships are an excellent foundation for school leavers to kick-start their career and there are a wide range of levels available from intermediate, advanced, higher and even degree! Look at an Apprenticeship as a debt free alternative to university as all your university tuition fees will be paid for with a degree Apprenticeship and you’ll be the one that’s getting paid!
Salary
Although the minimum wage for an apprentice is £3.70 an hour as of 2018, most employers will pay more than this and you’ve got to remember that you’re gaining a qualification out of it. If you’re 19+ and in the second year of your Apprenticeship you must be paid the national minimum wage rate for your age.
Are there any entry requirements?
Apprenticeships are available to anybody if you’re 16+ and living in England. Other entry requirements will depend on the employer, the job role and the type of Apprenticeship you’re applying for.
A quick recap of the benefits
There are hundreds of benefits to an Apprenticeship including:
- A salary
- Paid holidays
- Excellent progression routes
- A nationally recognised qualification
- Work experience
- Skills
- Increased earning potential
