7 January 2022
New Year, Better You: 5 Resources to Get You Started
2021 was a whirlwind. But that’s last year’s news. It’s time to put the past behind you and look to the future. Your future career that is.
So without further ado, below are some useful resources to get you prepped and ready.
#1 Career Options
You may be wondering what type of career pathway is the best for you, so let’s break it down.
There are four main types of apprenticeships:
- Intermediate
- Advanced
- Higher
- Degree
Intermediate (Level 2)
This level of apprenticeship is designed for anyone over the age of 16 and combines on the job training with some classroom learning.
An intermediate apprenticeship is the first step up the apprenticeship ladder. It’ll give you all the tools you need for a successful career, including soft skills such as teamwork and critical thinking. It’s also the equivalent of getting five GCSEs.
Not only that, apprentices get paid! Not a bad alternative, right?
26.2% of people who started an apprenticeship in 2020/21 did so at an intermediate level. That’s over a quarter, so they’re not as rare as you may think.
Advanced (Level 3)
Need to move up a level on the apprenticeship lift? This is where advanced apprenticeships come in.
This level is aimed at those who have got some experience behind them at an intermediate level, and are ready to show off their new skills in a specific industry. You study towards a national certified qualification while working full time.
The entry requirements vary between companies but you usually need at least five GCSEs graded at 9 – 4 (A* to C). But don’t worry, OF COURSE you get paid here too.
Higher (Level 4/5/6/7)
Now we’re getting to the nitty gritty of it. At this level you have to be at least 18 or over and have completed either your GCSE’s, have a minimum of 2 A-Levels or finished an advanced apprenticeship.
You are essentially a pro at this point, the Harry Kane of apprentices, but there are always more skills to be developed. Working 30+ hours a week while earning a salary, by the end of it every employer will want you on their team. Maybe even Gareth Southgate himself.
The average salary for a higher apprentice in 2021 was £23,987. For those who started an apprenticeship in 2020/21 nearly a third were completed by high level students at 30.7%.
So they’re pretty popular.
Degree Apprenticeship
This is the CEO of apprenticeships, the higher power, the almighty.
Some go down the uni route, and that’s cool. But an alternative is the degree apprenticeship.
During a degree apprenticeship, you work with your employer alongside studying at university. If you decide to go down this route, there are absolutely no fees to pay. These are covered by the government and your employer.
There are no loans, so you can walk right into the world of work, debt-free and with tons of experience. A win-win situation right?
#2 Virtual Events
Imagine, the weather is minus degrees outside and you’re bored of the Netflix show that’s on the laptop in front of you. If only there was something else you could do that didn’t require too much movement…
We had a series of virtual career events that took place in October 2021, which was jam-packed with all the career goodness you could possibly want.
From available opportunities to how you can make your application stand out. We heard from all your favourite top employers such as Siemens, KPMG, DLA Piper and Centrica.
Missed it?
Luckily we made sure to record every session and put them all in one safe location. Find advice from our Best Employers.
This way you can watch all the recorded videos from your bed and not miss a trick on how you can take your application that one step further.
#3 Blogs
What would a helpful resource blog be if it didn’t include a lot more helpful blogs?
We want to help you as best as we can. So if that means including a list of some of our best application tip blogs, that’s what we’ll do!
Job hunting can be daunting. It can feel like there’s so much preparation that it’s hard to know where to begin. But all you need to do is break it down and take it step by step.
Whether you’re starting from scratch or just looking to improve what you have, we got you:
#4 Work Ready Virtual Experience
We have arrived at the penultimate resource in the blog, and while you may be eager to get stuck in, there is no need to rush. Read on…
If you’re feeling a little lacklustre due to all the uncertainty in the world, don’t worry. You’re not alone. If you need that little kick in the right direction, then we can help you with our work ready programme!
This is a FREE virtual experience, designed to give you the skills you will need to take on the world of work. The programme modules includes:
- Wellbeing and resilience
- Virtual first impressions
- Virtual networking
#5 Reviews
What does RateMyApprenticeship and the latest Spiderman: No Way Home have in common?
Both have 5 star reviews.
Reviews are a GREAT way to get an in depth look into a company.
Where else can you find tons of detailed reviews about what it’s like to be an apprentice for some of the biggest companies in the UK? Hear what employers are really looking for from you, tailor your applications accordingly and stand out.
Hopefully you’ve been left feeling inspired and motivated to get started on your applications, and if not, there’s always tomorrow!
