Get Ahead in Your Career This January

*Phew* 2020 is over.

And 2021 is looking more hopeful for a number of reasons.

The coronavirus vaccine is being rolled out in its millions. Adele is set to release her fourth studio album. And we might be able to go on holiday, hurrah!

Here at RateMyApprenticeship.co.uk, we’ve put together 5 top tips to help you launch your career in 2021…

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#1 Find out which apprenticeship is right for you

Apprenticeships can be confusing. With various levels, multiple names and different eligibility criteria, we don’t blame you if you’re not sure where to start. But the good news is that apprenticeships all have something in common.

They involve paid, on-the-job work AND formal training towards a credited qualification. That means you can develop new workplace skills whilst gaining industry-relevant knowledge.

To keep things simple, we’ve broken down the different apprenticeship levels below.

Level 2 (Intermediate)Apprenticeship

These apprenticeships are made for 16 year old school leavers. They are the first rung on the apprenticeship ladder and take 12-18 months to complete. Entry requirements are two or more GCSEs graded at 9 – 4 (A* – C). 

Level 3 (Advanced) Apprenticeship

These are made for those finishing their Level 2 Apprenticeships or GCSEs. They take 24 months to complete. You will need to have done a Level 2 Apprenticeship or have 5 GCSEs graded at 9 – 4 (A* – C) to apply.

Level 4/5 (Higher) Apprenticeship

These are designed for those finishing their A-Levels or Level 3 Apprenticeships. They vary in length, with some lasting up to four years. You’ll need at least two A Levels graded at 9 – 4 (A* – C) or an advanced apprenticeship to apply.

Level 6 (Degree) Apprenticeship

Perfect for those finishing their A-Levels who want to get a degree and work experience, without the debt. They vary in length between 3 to 6 years. Entry requirements are similar to traditional university courses; three A-Levels graded at 9 – 4 (A* – C).

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#2 Get to know different industries

Apprenticeships aren’t just for those wanting to get into plumbing, hairdressing or construction.

Whilst there are certainly apprenticeships in those fields, doing an apprenticeship can also help you secure a long-lasting career in industries like law, banking and pharmaceuticals. To name just a few!

As they increase in popularity, more and more employers are offering apprenticeships as viable routes into their organisation. It’s a great way to break into an industry of your choice, working your way up through practical work experience and educational training.

Louise and Conor, our apprenticeship experts, have put together 14 jam-packed industry guides to give you all the information you’ll need to break into your dream industry.

The industries covered include Accounting & Finance, Business, Engineering, FMCG & Retail, Science & Pharmaceuticals, IT & Digital, Leisure & Hospitality.

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#3 Do your research on employers

Every year, thousands of apprentices review their apprenticeship scheme on RateMyApprenticeship.co.uk.

These reviews determine the Best 100 Apprenticeship Employers, which is a list of the very best apprenticeship employers in the country.

Reviews cover questions like…

• To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
• How well organised / structured is your programme?
• How much support do you receive from your employer?

That means all those burning questions you might have about specific employers and their schemes may have already been answered!

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#4 Search and apply for apprenticeships

Finding the perfect apprenticeship is a bit like trying to run up a downward escalator.

Tricky.

The good news is that you don’t have to trawl through hundreds of job sites to find an apprenticeship. With our handy search tool, you can filter your apprenticeship search by level, industry and location.

No more messing around. Find hundreds of roles relevant to you, in seconds.

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#5 Get your application in shape

With apprenticeships growing in popularity, it’s no surprise that competition is on the rise.

We’ve partnered with Pearson Business School to give you some top tips on applying for apprenticeships, to help you stand out and impress any employer…

• Take your time with the application
• Include previous work experience
• Make sure the role suits your skill set and interests
• Research, research, research
• Start networking

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Need some work experience to spruce up your CV?

RateMyApprenticeship’s free Work Ready Virtual Experience is a virtual programme designed to help you build work-readiness skills. 

This 5-6 hour self-paced course is a great way to develop soft skills that translate to the workplace. Plus, there’s no application process. It’s open to all.

Save yourself the hassle. Get your apprenticeship applications in early and you’ll be kicking off this new year with a bang. Follow our top tips and make sure to take advantage of all the resources on offer.

Best of luck! And happy new year.

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