Choosing the best route There is no right or wrong route after 6th form, but there are ways of choosing the correct route for you by analysing each option and discovering which suits you best. University University

Apprenticeship Apprenticeship

Good for those who wish to Good for intensive those whostudy wish to continue continue intensive study Certain jobs require a degree Certain jobs require a degree

Earn while you learn Earn while you learn

Gap Year Gap Year

Employment Employment

Working and training with a Working for a real employer real employer

Exposure to different cultures Exposure to different cultures and environments and environments Give something back to society Give something back to society

Financial benefits of earning a Financial wage benefits of earning a full-time full-time wage Can often progress through a Can oftenquicker progress through a company company quicker

Opportunity Opportunity to to gain gain independence independence and and live live away away

Gain Gain valuable valuable insight insight into into aa specific vocation specific vocation

Gap Gap year year experiences experiences often often appeal to appeal to employers employers

Job Job history history and and references references for for future employment future employment

Opportunities Opportunities to to study study abroad abroad or or do do an an industrial industrial placement placement

Likelihood Likelihood of of full full time time employment employment once once complete complete

Teaches Teaches you you to to be be independent independent and and self self sufficient sufficient

Responsibility Responsibility for for managing managing your your money money and and work work life life

Often Often leads leads to to aa higher higher salary salary once employed once employed

Suits Suits practical practical learners learners wishing wishing to gain workplace experience to gain workplace experience

A A break break from from studies studies to to consider your options consider your options

Training Training opportunities opportunities for for your your professional development professional development

Can Can be be aa way way of of keeping keeping your your options options open open

Apprenticeship routes Could progress onto a higher equivalent to university level level apprenticeship if available are now available

Increase Increase life life experience experience

Security Security

What are higher level apprenticeships? Higher apprenticeships offer a work-based learning programme and lead to a nationally recognised qualification at one of the following: • •

a level 4 and 5 - equivalent to a higher education certificate, higher education diploma or a foundation degree a level 6 - equivalent to a bachelor degree

With 47 higher apprenticeships ranging from Aerospace to Accountancy, Construction to Creative and Digital Media, higher apprenticeships range across the sectors and represent hundreds of different job roles.

What are degree level apprenticeships? 9 new industry designed Degree Apprenticeships - an innovative new model bringing together the best of higher and vocational education. Degree Apprenticeships will be offered in key areas including, Chartered Surveying, Aerospace Engineering, and Nuclear. Apprentices will split their time between university study and the workplace and will be employed throughout – gaining a full bachelor’s or master’s degree from a top university while earning a wage and getting real on-the-job experience in their chosen profession.

Higher Apprentices are already able to study to degree level as part of their apprenticeship but Degree Apprenticeships will go further. They will involve a degree as an integral part of the apprenticeship, co-designed by employers to make sure it is relevant for the skills industry is looking for. As with other apprenticeships, the cost of course fees are shared between government and employers, meaning that the apprentice can earn a full bachelors or even masters degree without paying any fees.

Information taken from the March 2015 article by The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills

Key areas where degree level apprenticeships are currently available: • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Chartered Surveying Electronic Systems Engineering Aerospace Engineering Aerospace Software Development Defence Systems Engineering Laboratory Science Nuclear Power Systems Public Relations Digital Automotive Engineering Banking Relationship Manager Construction

The difference between a higher level and a degree level apprenticeship: Name

Level

Equivalent educational level

Higher

4,5,6 and 7

Foundation degree and above

Degree

6 and 7

Bachelor’s or master’s degree

Degree level apprenticeships may also be slightly more specific in terms of grades and subjects they require you to have at A-Level.

NAS The ‘National Apprenticeship Service’ is a government web service dedicated to explaining and advertising apprenticeships and vacancies. During sixth form studies, students thinking of progressing onto a higher or degree level apprenticeship are encouraged to register with ‘NAS’ to make it easier to apply for apprenticeships. Many students will apply for university alongside applying for apprenticeships in order to leave their options open for as long as possible before deciding on the right route for them.