Jobs and Training
Many jobs offer some form of planned training leading to
nationally recognised qualifications such as National Vocational
Qualifications (NVQs). However, there are still some jobs which do
not include any planned training at all. If you are considering one
of these, talk to the employer about the importance of training
you. You can contact Connexions at CfBT Advice & Guidance for
information on relevant qualifications.
Getting a job with planned training
- Pros
earn while you learn
leads to recognised qualifications
work experience in your chosen career
improved prospects
- Cons
may earn less in the short term
miss out on student life
Advanced Apprenticeships
Advanced Apprenticeships are a positive way of learning while
you earn. You get the opportunity to gain practical skills in the
workplace and achieve nationally recognised qualifications.
What are the main features?
- available for young people aged 16-24 with good grades (A*– C)
in 4 GCSEs or 2 GCSEs in vocational subjects or an equivalent
qualification such as an Intermediate GNVQ or BTEC First Diploma or
NVQ Level 2
- designed to provide quality training to industry standards, to
at least NVQ Level 3
- you are employed and earn a wage as you learn
- a formal training agreement between you, the employer and the
local Learning and Skills Council (LSC)
- a training plan setting out each stage of the
apprenticeship
- the length of training will depend on your needs and the
progress you make; it is normally between 18 months and three
years
- you will gain key skills in communication, problem solving,
literacy and numeracy, IT and working in teams
- available in many industry sectors nationally, including
Banking, Travel, Construction, ICT, Engineering, Sport and
Recreation and Catering.
Foundation Apprenticeships
Where an Advanced Apprenticeship is not available in the
industry sector that interests you, you may want to consider doing
a Foundation Apprenticeship as a starting point instead, leading to
NVQ Level 2/3.
Company Training Programmes
Some companies have devised their own training programmes
specifically for school and college leavers who have decided to go
into employment and training rather than into full-time further or
higher education
What are the main features?
- you are employed and paid a wage as you learn
- your training usually leads to nationally recognised
- qualifications such as a Higher National Certificate (HNC),
foundation degree, degree, professional qualification e.g. RICS
(Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors), AAT (Association of
Accounting Technicians), ILEX (Institute of Legal Executives)
- can involve part-time study e.g. day release, distance
learning
- available in a wide range of jobs, e.g. Trainee Buyer, Junior
IT Analyst, Export Trainee, Assistant Retail Manager, Trainee
Quantity Surveyor, Trainee Accountant, Laboratory Technician,
Insurance Underwriter, Trainee Journalist.
Self-employment
Although the number of self-employed people in the UK has
stopped growing at the rate it was in the 1980s there are still 3.2
million self-employed. There is a lot to consider if you plan to go
down this route and thorough research is needed. There are,
however, many organisations that can help you and many sources of
information, such as www.shell-livewire.org,
www.princes-trust.org.ukand
www.young-enterprise.org.uk.