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.