Skip the Lecture: Why Apprenticeships are a Smart Alternative to University

If you’re thinking about a career in science, you might assume that the only way to secure a well-paid job is by getting A Levels under your belt followed by a degree at uni. But, apprenticeships also offer a fantastic opportunity.

A Levels are one of the best-known ways to study STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathemetics). According to UCAS, over 30,000 undergraduate degree courses exist on their website.

There’s no doubt that A Levels and degrees are well-respected qualifications. They can lead to highly paid jobs, earn you academic kudos, and offer flexibility. For example, a degree in maths might lead to professions from accountancy to teaching.

However, if studying in a classroom 24/7 doesn’t float your boat, or you just want to crack on with earning a wage, an apprenticeship could be just the hands-on training you need. Here’s a few things about apprenticeships you might not know:

Apprentices are employed as members of staff.

This might sound obvious, but choosing an apprenticeship doesn’t just mean enrolling on a course. It’s a job. A proper job with the same rights and benefits as any other employee. You get a salary, holiday, sick leave, and the opportunity to work on important real-world projects.

You will need to find an apprenticeship vacancy and apply just like any job, but stacks of help is available. The average UK apprenticeship salary is over £19k per year, but remember your employer is paying for your training while you work too.

Many young people see this as an epic advantage, as you can qualify without racking up whopping tuition-fee debt.  Alongside work, you will be mentored and spend 20% of your time doing off-the-job training (usually a day a week or in chunks of time called ‘block release’).

Apprenticeships cover loads of industries and specialisms.

Quality apprenticeships are available across almost every profession, not just ‘manual’ jobs. Science and tech industries need lots of new talent – from those with STEM know-how to those with skills that support the industry. Apprenticeships might include:

• Business Administrator
• CAD Programmer/Design Engineer
• Communications Engineer
• Dental Nurse
• Electrical/Electronic Technical Support Engineer
• Fire Emergency and Security Systems
• Health & Safety
• IT Support/Digital Technology
• Lab Technician
• Mechanical Manufacture
• Pharmacy Assistant
• Radiotherapy Engineer
• Sales & Marketing Executive

Students with top grades choose apprenticeships too!

Gone are the days of apprenticeships being thought of as training for those who struggle in school. Today, a record number of apprenticeship programmes are on offer with global brands from Google and Coca Cola to Rolls-Royce and Unilever.

Science, technology, and engineering firms are experienced in employing and developing apprentices at intermediate, advanced, higher, and even degree level. You’re supported by a supervisor every step of the way as you learn the ropes.

These qualifications aren’t a fall-back option either. For example, a Civil Engineering Degree Apprenticeship might require the equivalent grades of a BBC at A Level, so competition and academic expectations can be high, depending on your training.

You can sometimes gain extra qualifications as you work too, such as a diploma, GCSE English and maths (if you still need these), and even professional qualifications and titles.

You can study an apprenticeship at degree level.

There is still a misconception that apprenticeships are only for entry-level trade skills. Although apprenticeship can be an excellent way to enter a profession at GCSE level, it doesn’t stop there.

You choose an apprenticeship at the starting level that suits you, depending on your experience and existing qualifications. Apprenticeships can be taught from level 2 all the way up to level 7, which is the same as a master’s degree!

Higher-level apprenticeships can give you the same degree you would be awarded if you attended university full-time, but it is completed while getting paid and gaining industry experience. This means you can hit the ground running on finishing your training.

Apprenticeships are for people of all ages.

There is no upper age limit for an apprenticeship, and anyone over 16 can apply (although occasionally you need to be over 18 for some jobs due to health and safety reasons).

An apprentice might be a school-leaver starting out in employment. Or, they might be older and have years of experience in the bag. Apprenticeships can be a great way to switch careers in later life while still getting paid.

Some firms even sponsor existing staff to take a higher-level apprenticeship to train the next generation of experienced managers. Apprentices are fantastic assets to any company as they have lots of industry experience by the time they are qualified.

With over 90% of apprentices staying in full-time employment after completing (compared to fewer than 60% of graduates) and 75% of apprentices being kept on by their employer… what’s not to like?!