Alternatives to Higher Education Herschel Grammar School June 2012.

Alternatives to Higher Education

Herschel Grammar School June 2012

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Session Outline

Awareness of post 18 optionsUseful resources for job searchQuestions and Answers

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Alternatives to University?

Apprenticeships JobsFoundation DegreesSponsored DegreesDistance Learning (e.g. O.U.)Gap Year / Volunteering

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WORK

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Advantages of Work

Start career early 3 years more work experience than

graduates Progression for good performance and

initiative Some large companies have always

attracted A level school leavers. High university fees mean that more large and blue chip companies are recruiting!

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APPRENTICESHIPS

www.apprenticeships.org.uk

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Apprenticeships

There are Apprenticeships and Advanced Apprenticeships

Open to 16-24 year oldsEarn and learnSupported route into employmentMay lead to higher qualifications

such as NVQ4, Foundation DegreeAvailable in a range of career areas

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Advantages of an ApprenticeshipDebt free training routeSee the relevance of theory put into

practiceMake an early start to a careerSome employers will fund to degree

levelA high proportion of apprentices are

offered jobs with their employerAcquire transferable skills: problem

solving, teamwork, IT

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Disadvantages of Apprenticeship

Training allowance rather than wage

Fierce competition for placesProgression may not be available

beyond level 3Unsuitable for certain careers

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Apprenticeships – leading to HE

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British AirwaysApprenticeships available for Sept

2012EngineeringEngineering Business SupportAviation Operations IT Operations and IT SecurityBusiness and AdministrationWorld CargoProject Management (Brands /

Customer Experience / Commercial.)

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Next Steps For Finding an Apprenticeship

• Prepare your CV and covering letters using the help guides on www.connexions-berkshire.org.uk

• Apprenticeship information and vacancies at: www.apprenticeships.org.uk & www.notgoingtouni.co.uk

• Yellow Pages / www.yell.com• Large companies will have their own

apprenticeship application details on their websites e.g. Kaplan, KPMG, BAA,NHS, John Lewis, British Airways, BMW, the banks – HSBC, Barclays, Nat West, Nationwide, BT, British Gas.

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Impact of New University Funding Many universities are charging the full £9,000 As a result, many young people are rethinking

their options Large companies have picked up on the

feeling of unease and the pool of talent potentially available

Some large companies have traditionally offered post A level training schemes. MORE are now intending to do this e.g. Microsoft, Tesco, Marks and Spencer, Unilever, Proctor and Gamble and Hilton Hotels, KPMG, Price Waterhouse Cooper, Unilever, Marriott Hotels, BDO Stoy Hayward.

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Notgoingtouni.co.uk

Excellent website providing details on many alternatives to university:

Apprenticeships Advanced apprenticeships Foundation degrees Sponsored degrees College course Jobs Gap Year opportunitiesRegister with them – they will send you

regular update emails!

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Foundation Degrees

Full-time or part-timeLevel 5 qualification (equivalent to

first 2 years of Honours Degree)Blend of academic study and work

based learningDeveloped in partnership with

employersTop up to full Honours Degree with

further year of study

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Sponsored Degrees

Sponsored Degrees (or Employer Funded Study) are a great way of gaining a degree debt free

You are employed by the company, receive a salary and study part time or full-time at university for a course related to your work

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Benefits of a Sponsored DegreeYou receive a salary like any other

employeeYou have valuable work experienceYou will finish your degree debt freeMany sponsorship programmes

contract you to work for the company after you graduate

More companies are considering this option!

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Areas of Work available to A level/BTEC Students

Business/ICT Marketing/HR/Business Administration Accountancy, Finance, Banking Retail Hospitality Travel Agents Airport – Customer Service Agent (Gain

experience for Cabin Crew later??) Construction / Engineering / Surveying Local Government – Housing, Leisure &

Tourism, Sports (Cutbacks at present) Public Services – Police, PCSO, Ambulance,

Health Care Assistant Army, Navy etc (Cutbacks in some areas)

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Accountancy & Finance

PWC – Head Start Programme (Assurance & Pensions) 280 Points required

KPMG – Tax Advisor Trainee – AAT qualifications – ABB required

National Audit Office – AAT Fast Track Scheme – 4 year training contract – 300 points required

Lloyds TSB, Nat West, RBS – Business Specialist Programmes – rotational programmes 180-280 points

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IT/Business Logica Sponsored Degree Programme –

BBB at A’ Level / 300 UCAS points. Day release over 3 years for BA (Hons) Management, £13,000

Siemens –CIMA qualification (Accountancy) Takes 5 years – 280 UCAS points required

Pearson in Practice (formerly Zenos) – NVQ 3 study in Microsoft & CISCO systems. GCSEs required

QA – IT Apprenticeships. GCSEs required.

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Retail

Arcadia Group PLC – Retail Management trainee (2 A Levels or equiv)

Tesco – A’ Level fast track management programme.

BAA Retail Academy – Retail & Customer service, hospitality, warehousing etc

Travel, Leisure, Sport

Thomson, Going Places, Thomas Cook – offer NVQ training programmes in customer service/tourism (overseas)

Leisure/Sports Centres – can offer leisure management apprenticeships

Hotels – can offer hospitality and catering training opportunities (Holiday Inn, Marriott Hotels, Hilton, Jurys Inn.)

Construction, Engineering, Surveying

BAA – 4-year apprenticeship scheme in Engineering maintenance with day release to Kingston College (4 GCSEs req) £13000

Network Rail – electrical apprenticeships (4 GCSEs req)

Carillion – Construction Management incl surveying. Apprenticeship leading to Bsc Construction

BP Shipping – (Ship Management, Offshore exploration) Sponsored degree programme

NATS – Air Traffic Control traineeship – Training in Bournemouth, £18,000, 2 A2s or equiv

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NEW NHS Practitioner Training Programme. Sponsored degrees. Uni study and work based learning

Assistant physiotherapist / occupational therapist www.nhscareers.nhs.uk

www.jobs.nhs.ukDental nursingDispensing optician

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Skills Employers Want People skills Teamwork Interpersonal skills Leadership Self reliance skills Networking Self awareness Specialist skills IT Languages Problem solving skills

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Job Search Strategies

A winning CVUse networks Job search websitesTarget employers websitesSpeculative applications Interview preparationBe flexible

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GAP YEAR

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Gap YearAdvantagesGain vocational experience Gain new skills Language/business Increase employability Improve your financesBecome more independent and

matureDisadvantagesDisinclined to return to studySome courses advise against it

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Advantages of Work ExperienceThere is competition for non graduate and

graduate jobs. Economic climate makes entry to employment harder.

Work experience sets you apart from other students

Work experience provides the “soft skills” – teamworking, networking, negotiating skills, time management skills, problem solving, tact and diplomacy

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Advantages of Work Experience

Sandwich courses at university are a good way of gaining w/experience

Gap Year work experience is very useful Volunteering can be a way in Graduates find it difficult to land a job with

no work experience Use employment agencies, smaller firms, the

voluntary sector. Approach family contacts, friends, school work experience placement

Plan work experience during school holidays Any work experience is helpful!!

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Career Goals

www.connexions-berkshire.org.ukKudosEclips Careercomp@nion OnlineNext Step Job Profiles and Careersboxwww.prospects.ac.uk (Options With Your Subject)

Unsure?

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Parallel Planning

Do your H.E. research. Choose 5 courses. Apply to university (usually do not decide

on offer until May) Apply for apprenticeships and school

leavers programmes from Autumn term for Summer entry

Monitor job market AND application deadlines. Some School leaver programmes close early (February.)

Unsure? Keep options open:

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Websites for Job Searchwww.apprenticeships.org.ukwww.notgoingtouni.co.ukwww.connexions-berkshire.org.ukwww.connexions-berkshire.org.uk/

node/747www.thebigchoice.comwww.totaljobs.comwww.monster.co.ukwww.fish4.co.uk

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More Useful Websiteswww.allaboutcareers.comwww.yearoutgroup.orgwww.gapadvice.orgwww.yell.comwww.kaplan.co.uk (accountancy)Volunteering www.csv.org.uk www.do-it.org.uk www.vinspired.com www.volunteerslough.org.uk

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And...... Local employment agencies e.g. Reed Websites of large companies e.g. O2,

Computer Associates. Websites of the banks AND local newspapers

[email protected]

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THE END