Date: 3rd February 2023
Dear Parent / Carer,
Please see below information on apprenticeships, careers, courses and degrees.
How to deal with interview stress
Stress can be a normal part of job seeking, more often than not, it’s the result of over-thinking a situation. This article is full of advice on how to prepare for an interview:
Higher and Degree Apprenticeship Vacancies
Please take a look at this fantastic resource from Amazing Apprenticeships listing companies offering higher and degree apprenticeships plus details of salaries and other important aspects. There are both local opportunities (eg Crewe, Derby) and national (eg commutable cities such as Manchester, Birmingham or London).
National Apprenticeship Week
5 reasons you should kickstart your career with an apprenticeship
National Apprenticeship Week is coming up from 6th – 12th February!
Chances are you’re starting to think about what you might like to do after you leave school. Did you know that an apprenticeship could be your ticket to a high-skilled job straight out of education? And what’s more, you’ll get paid a wage and gain qualifications without having to take on any student debt.
Here are our top 5 reasons to apply for an apprenticeship:
1. You’ll get paid a wage
Apprenticeships are now a gateway into jobs which require higher-level qualifications such as foundation degrees, bachelor’s degrees and even master’s degrees. You could train as an engineer, a software developer, a solicitor, a nurse – there are even apprenticeships in academia!
Have a look at our guide to the qualifications you can gain from an apprenticeship.
2. You’ll train in a high-skilled job
There is a minimum wage for apprentices, called the apprenticeship wage. This year, it is set at £4.81. It goes up in stages until you get to the age of 23, when it reaches £9.50, so long as you have completed the first year of your apprenticeship. The apprenticeship wage is increased every year. Remember this is the minimum – in practice, many apprentices earn much more.
Read more on our site.
3. You could get a university degree
If you complete a degree apprenticeship, you will gain a university degree. But unlike with the traditional university journey, you won’t graduate with thousands of pounds of tuition fee debt because your employer will pay the costs for you.
Our guide to degree apprenticeships has the low-down.
4. You’ll learn on the job
As an apprentice, you will gain the knowledge and skills for your role on the job. You’ll spend most of your time in the office, lab, factory or field, where you will be trained up by experienced colleagues. Depending on your apprenticeship level, you will also study with a training provider, in college or at university, working towards a qualification which will support you in your day-to-day job.
Read about the four different types of apprenticeships.
5. You could work in the industries of the future
Research suggests that technology skills, social and emotional skills and cognitive skills are set to grow the fastest over the next decade (see our guide to the future of work). Apprenticeships offer you a way into the most employable industries, from tech and engineering to social care and the creative sector.
Take a look at our guide to 7 apprenticeships you never knew you could do.
Still undecided? Check out the guides below for more answers to your questions. And you don’t need to choose right away! You could apply for university courses AND apprenticeship programmes to keep your options open.
We’ve got tonnes of apprenticeships from big employers on the Success at School website, check them out today and get applying:
The apprenticeship guide
National Apprenticeship Week 2023
We look ahead to this year’s National Apprenticeship Week, taking place from 6-12th February 2023.
This year’s theme is ‘Skills for Life’; reflecting on how apprenticeships can help individuals to develop the skills and knowledge required for a rewarding career. See below some of the events you can look forward to this year.
The Big Assembly
Tuesday 7th February, 11.10am.
Join The Big Assembly for all things apprenticeships. The event will include Q&As, feedback from employers as well as former and current apprentices. Sign up here
An insight into apprenticeships Thursday 9th February, 5pm.
National Highways are running a session to talk all about apprenticeships and tackle some of the myths surrounding them. Hear about some of their exciting new apprenticeship roles as well as from the HR team who will provide some guidance on the recruitment process. Reserve your spot here
Put your stamp on a Royal Mail apprenticeship Wednesday 8th February, 3pm.
Find out more about life at Royal Mail and delve into the experience of what it’s like to apprentice across a variety of functions. At Royal Mail, learning never stops, as they continue to evolve the business with a variety of apprenticeship opportunities for 2023. Register here
Lloyds: All about apprenticeships Tuesday 7th February, 7pm.
Wondering what to do when you leave school? Lloyds Banking Group’s “Careers Live” experience offers you an inspiring, engaging and interactive opportunity to discover new, exciting careers that could start you on your journey into the world of work. Register here
A MUST-NOT-MISS EVENT FOR STUDENTS WHO ARE CONSIDERING THEIR OPTIONS
Deciding what to do after leaving school is tough. Do you go to university and get a degree, or choose an apprenticeship and earn while you learn?
Our free virtual careers event is perfect for students in Years 10-13 who are considering their options and want to learn more about apprenticeships and options outside of university.
THE APPRENTICESHIP EVENT OF THE SEASON
START YOUR CAREER Tuesday 21st February from 4pm
Throughout the evening, current apprentices will share their experiences of discussing options outside of university with their parents, why they decided the apprenticeship route was for them and what’s next now they’re nearing the end of their apprenticeship.
It’s not to be missed – 98% of students who attended last year said they would attend in the future!
Share the event with your students and their parents by downloading our event showcase doc. There’s tons of info in there about the event, the employers they’ll meet and why they should consider an apprenticeship.
Why attend?
- Hear from some of the UK’s Best Employers, including Deloitte, Mazars, BDO and PwC.
- Listen to discussions with a panel of current apprentices discussing life free of university debt, filled with incredible career prospects.
- Get to attend an exclusive CV and Interview workshop with The University of Law.
Attendees receive a certificate of attendance for their record of achievements, CV or LinkedIn profile.
We can’t wait to see you there,The RateMyApprenticeship Team
University of Exeter’s Discover University Conference
Exeter University online conference for Year 12 students: Saturday 18 February, 13:00-16:00
This conference from the University of Exeter, ‘Your Journey to Higher Education’, will help your get a feel for applying for and studying at university. You’ll learn how to choose a course, how to navigate the UCAS application process, and what student life is like.
You’ll also get the chance to ask the university’s staff and students their questions directly.
Lincoln Training Hub
KPMG
At KPMG, we’ve got exciting and rewarding Apprenticeship opportunities in Audit, Consulting, KPMG Business Services, Tax & Law and Technology. And we need your help to spread the word.
Our nationwide apprenticeships offer the chance to do work that makes a positive difference for organisations, people and communities. At KPMG, we use our insights, ideas and innovative technologies to deliver impactful solutions. We help transform businesses, develop trust and confidence in markets, and build stronger, fairer communities.
Our Apprentices gain qualifications – including degrees – and work experience that gives them the opportunity to grow, feed their curiosity and gain skills that will last them a lifetime.
We want people from every walk of life, to join and build a career with us. Our supportive teams consist of inspiring and diverse colleagues, and we offer a competitive salary and broad range of employee benefits too. To discover more about our Apprenticeship and work experience opportunities, please encourage your students to visit our Careers portal at: kpmgcareers.co.uk/apprentice
Nottingham Trent University
Advocacy short courses from Nottingham Law School
Courses cover topics around handing criminal evidence, and the principles and practice of witness statements.
Delivered online, these one-day courses are taught by leading experts and include a certificate on completion of the course.
Discover the Business Leaders’ Podcast series
The Business Leaders series from Nottingham Business School celebrates some of the high-achievers from their network. In the latest episode, respected women leaders discuss why women earn on average almost 15% less than men.
Thomas Alleyne's high school 
Pingback: 5/2/23 Roundup – Key messages & Term dates (all year groups) | Thomas Alleyne's high school