Apprenticeships

CAREER ADVICE

Its My LIFE 2013

Summary
Would you like to do an Apprenticeship?

If the answer is YES!

This career package was written for you!

Aim:
1. Prepare you for employment

2.

Make you think long-term

3.

Provide you with an alternative to university

UK Employment Requirements
Basic competence in: 1. English

2. Maths

3. IT
Regardless; if you have an academic qualification or not!

Trades & Professions

What is the difference between a trade and a profession? Not all expertise is considered a profession Trades or crafts are generally associated with skilled labour The difference between a profession and a trade is mental or administrative work, as opposed to engaging in physical work. Becoming a chartered professional will require further study after your apprenticeship at a higher education institution

Apprenticeships
Are available in: Accountancy Health & Social Care Engineering Veterinary Nursing Business Administration Construction Hospitality

Professional Route
Tradesman

Apprentice

Work Based Qualifications

What is a work based Qualification? Example: 1. 2. 3. CSCS card Driving licence First aid certificate

Work based qualifications may help you get a job in your chosen field

Tips For Choosing An Apprenticeship

Look at the duration of the apprenticeship Research several trades Look into the qualifications available for your chosen trade Speak with professionals in that industry Choose a company that has the time and resources to train you Do thorough research and think long-term!

Gap Year

Considerations
Apprentice should aim to achieve their: NVQ - L3. National Vocational Qualification - Level 3 A NVQ will provide a direct access route to university Think long-term!

Disadvantage
Time taken to complete the apprenticeship Rise in tuition fees for higher education Wages

Advantage
Time to think about a long-term career Gain work experience and try a new profession Improve your CV Travel the world before you start a career Save some money for higher education Prepare your self to commit to a trade

Conclusion
When choosing an apprenticeship ask your self these questions: 1. Can you see your self in that trade for 30 - 40 years? 2. Do you want to be an employee or run your own business? 3. Does your career demand long hours and a lot of time spent traveling? 4. Most importantly, how flexible is your trade? If theres another recession will you be able to get another job quickly? Think globally and dont be afraid of change!

Employment

Clients
Public sector Government Departments Nationalized industries Local Authorities Private Sector Companies: Industrial Commercial

Volunteering & Work Placements

Pros: You can gain practical work experience Meet new people with experience in your field Most important is the reference for future jobs; your employer is not legally required to give you one Cons: Financial cost Duration of services provided & hours worked

Apprenticeships
Advantage: Employment in your chosen trade

Nationally recognised qualification

practical work experience Wages

Apprenticeships & Internships

What is the difference?

Apprenticeship:
Apprentice are full time employees, they study part time Their training normally last 1 3 years Their employer pays for them to study a NVQ National Vocational Qualification

Internship:
Interns are normally students in higher education Some internships allow students to get credits towards their degree Internships normally last for a fix period of time, maximum 1 year Interns are not employees

Covering Letters & CV

Covering letters: Should have a beginning, middle & end Contact details CV: Must be checked for grammar & spelling mistakes Converted from American spelling to English Short & precise, 2 pages maximum! Listed in the following order: Contact details, Objective, Employment, Education Save your CV as a Word Document Consider the reader, dont clutter your CV with too much detail

Interviews
Top 6 tips:

Research the company history on their website Arrive 15 20 minutes early so you can prepare your self mentally for the interview Listen to the questions asked and then answer precisely Calculate your expected salary before your interview Research the trade thoroughly so that you can communicate with the employer in technical terms

Dress smart and be punctual!

Networking Through Social Media

Websites to use: Facebook MSN Skype Twitter LinkedIn Google+ The advantage of using social media is: You can sell your services to a wide range of people globally See potential employers or clients worldwide

Agencies & Websites

Randstrad Fusion people Hays Carmichael UK Reed

Websites: Jobrapido, Monster, Job center plus Look at the job requirements for the trade you are interested in. This is the perfect way to begin your research!

Job Search Example

Google Jobrapido Electrician, London Tips: 1. Look for a name, contact number and email address 2. Call the employer if there is a contact number available, this way you may secure an interview immediately 3. Keep a pen and note pad ready to write down the information given to you when calling employers 4. Create a cover letter template that can be adjusted, read the job requirements and apply

Employment Pros & Cons

Employees Self Employed
Apprentice

Self Employed
Positives Hourly pay & flexible working hours Weekly salary Taxed once a year Expenses deducted

Negatives No sick pay, redundancy or holiday No guaranteed work Responsibility of paying tax Total amount paid in accountancy fees over a year
For more information visit the HMRC and contact an accountant

Apprentice
Positive 9k Tax free Regular wages Sick pay and holidays Redundancy pay Company benefits Education is paid for plus training is provided Negatives The National Minimum Wage for apprentices in the UK is 2.65 per hour For more information visit the HMRC

Annual Review
What is an annual review? The opportunity for employees to discuss their work performance every year with a line manager and get the results in writing! This should include: Wages, terms of your contract and a pay rise

Tips: Insist on having a annual review or your manager may avoid one Research your salary Have a price in mind before the interview Write down your achievements and discuss them with your manager Whatever you agree on in the meeting must be put in writing immediately Employers are not required to increase their staff salary by law

Employers
1. 2. 3. 4. What do employers look for when hiring apprentice? Team players Competence Commitment Communication skills

5.

Employees that are willing to listen and learn

Conclusion
Why should you chose an apprenticeship? 1. 2. Employers provide you with a good education, plus training Debt free education

3.
4. 5. 6.

Contribution to your society

Legally competent when you qualify Competitive advantage when applying for jobs in your field You can earn while you learn Choosing a trade will give you a sense of pride and responsibility