Should I get an apprentiship or go straight in for a job?

[Ozwin]

Basically I want to earn a living but have no idea what field that'll be in. I've been thinking of aprentiships but don't know again what that would entail. I don't know what sort of jobs someone like me would be able to get but I was hoping maybe some of you could let me know.

In GCSE I got A-C in everything bar French which isn't bad right?

In A Level I'm hopefully going to get a grade in ICT, Business Studies and psychology.

What sort of things would I be able to head into? I don't want to work in a shop but I don't want to be sitting in an office all day. I'd like to be active, change of scenery every day.

Thanks for any help. Appreciate it.

[Raj]

I did a 2 year apprenticeship in Printing back in 1987.

Yes i am that old.

Go for a skill to learn.

Once you got it,you got it for life.

Try a skill such as plumbing,plastering etc.....

Can automatically lead to a job too

[Nath]

It would help if you could spell apprenticeship.

[Ozwin]

Apologies.

I would like to do something like being a carpenter, making stuff. >_>

But then it feels like the A Levels I've had have been a waste of time.

[Raj]

Apologies.

I would like to do something like being a carpenter, making stuff. >_>

But then it feels like the A Levels I've had have been a waste of time.

Dont be a fool.

Education is education innit?

The more you got,the better(most of the time) your chances of a better career.

Learn a trade and shut up.

[Ozwin]

I'm going to write up a list of things I'd be interested in. Then get a connexions interview and see where it leads.

The List

1. Carpentry

2. Plumbing

3. Painting/Decorating

>_>

[Father Ted]

Why don't you become a computer programmer - you have done an A-level in ICT

[Ozwin]

I suppose I could try, I wouldn't mind doing something with computers like website design or graphic design. In fact that was my first idea but I didn't think you could get apprenticeships in that sort of field?

[isaidno]

An apprenticeship is a good thing to do. You get payed while you are learning. I've completed one in the motor trade & now have 3 NVQ qualifications.

[Ozwin]

I need to get paid so I can get driving lessons and thus be open to more jobs further away.

[purpleronnie]

I'd go with plumbing, my cousin is only 20 and gets paid a small fortune.

[Ozwin]

Hmmm. Would that mean I'd be able to work with other plumbers aswell as going to learn in college a few days a week?

[Fox You Forest]

I'm going to write up a list of things I'd be interested in. Then get a connexions interview and see where it leads.

The List

1. Carpentry

2. Plumbing

3. Painting/Decorating

>_>

I did NVQ level 2 painting and decorating when i left school was good fun at stephensons college had a cracking teacher.

[Jay]

Plumbing and Electricians earn a fortune!!!

either of those would be the way to go imo they are so in demand most can name their price

[grth2004]

Hmmm. Would that mean I'd be able to work with other plumbers aswell as going to learn in college a few days a week?

try ringing some plumbers and see if there looking for an aprentice im sure there are some out there who would help you as it benifits them too if you are out helping them

[SOCCERROO FOX]

Every one needs Electricity every one needs plumbing, these are trades that wll still be around in a 100 years time so u will never be out of a job and very good job to have

[Webbo]

I'm going to write up a list of things I'd be interested in. Then get a connexions interview and see where it leads.

The List

1. Carpentry

2. Plumbing

3. Painting/Decorating

>_>

Speaking as a painter and decorator I have to say you can do a lot better with those A levels. If your interested in construction get an apprenticeship in carpentry or bricklaying, then if you want you can climb the career ladder and train as a surveyor or estimator etc.

I'm not saying it's impossible to get that kind of job from another trade but those jobs always seem to go to chippies and brickies.

[Ozwin]

Thanks. It was just an idea I generated as it's something that means I'd get out and about. Carpentry seems my best bet, I don't know why but I'd love to make things for people. Plumbing seems ideal aswell, my mate does it so I might get some information from him.

[davieG]

Basically I want to earn a living but have no idea what field that'll be in. I've been thinking of aprentiships but don't know again what that would entail. I don't know what sort of jobs someone like me would be able to get but I was hoping maybe some of you could let me know.

In GCSE I got A-C in everything bar French which isn't bad right?

In A Level I'm hopefully going to get a grade in ICT, Business Studies and psychology.

What sort of things would I be able to head into? I don't want to work in a shop but I don't want to be sitting in an office all day. I'd like to be active, change of scenery every day.

Thanks for any help. Appreciate it.

Apologies.

I would like to do something like being a carpenter, making stuff. >_>

But then it feels like the A Levels I've had have been a waste of time.

I'm going to write up a list of things I'd be interested in. Then get a connexions interview and see where it leads.

The List

1. Carpentry

2. Plumbing

3. Painting/Decorating

>_>

As an ex apprentice and someone who has had experience managing apprentices in electical, mechanical and construction I have to say if you choose a good employer it is possible to end up with a degree and no debt albeit it could take 7 years. That seems long but could set you up for life.

I remember when I left school many moons ago I wanted to be a master carpenter but was dissuaded by people in the 'know' telling me it was a dying trade - shows what they know.

The first thing you need to do is try to determine where 'your' real interests are. The fact that you mention carpentry/etc and yet are still serious in thinking of IT shows that you really are confused.

So, you have to decide:

Do you want to be tied to a desk looking at a computer screen creating or do you want to use your hands?

Do you have any ambitions to be self employed later on in life?

Have you had any work experience?

Do you want to work for a small organisation or a large one - there are disadvantages/advantages to both?

An apprenticeship is an excellent way to learn the practical side of a trade/skill, attend college to pick up the academic side and get paid whilst doing so.

Where I recently worked we had 16 to 18 year olds starting at BTec/ONC level and going onto complete a degree this was all in construction.

As for your A levels don't let them put you off making the right decision and whatever you do still aim to get the highest grades possible, employees of apprentices are just as interested in your commitment to succeed and achieve no matter what the subject. I would guess that 90% of the apprentices I took on where not entirely convinced they were doing the right thing but don't let your employer know that.

Best of luck in whatever you decide and if you have any questions feel free to pm me.

[Ozwin]

Thanks Davie, that's really made me think. I'm pretty confused as you say but I really want to use my hands and be doing something rather than simply doing something in routinely fashion. I like change and I like veriety, which is pretty much why I want to leave college and decided not to go to university, I'm sick of the same old way of doing things.

I'd like Carpentry most of all I think as it seems to be one thing that fits what I want into it. (Veriety, change of scenery, using hands, making things etc)

Doing something in ICT is becoming more and more depressing everytime I post about it, sitting in front of a computer really seems dull and unmotivating.

I'm going to put carpentry forward on my list, I think I've prety much decided I want to do it now. Not totally 100% but it's between that and plumming and because my mate does it I feel he could help me out if I went in that direction.

Thanks, I'm sure I'll have more questions to annoy you with

[davieG]

Thanks Davie, that's really made me think. I'm pretty confused as you say but I really want to use my hands and be doing something rather than simply doing something in routinely fashion. I like change and I like veriety, which is pretty much why I want to leave college and decided not to go to university, I'm sick of the same old way of doing things.

I'd like Carpentry most of all I think as it seems to be one thing that fits what I want into it. (Veriety, change of scenery, using hands, making things etc)

Doing something in ICT is becoming more and more depressing everytime I post about it, sitting in front of a computer really seems dull and unmotivating.

I'm going to put carpentry forward on my list, I think I've prety much decided I want to do it now. Not totally 100% but it's between that and plumming and because my mate does it I feel he could help me out if I went in that direction.

Thanks, I'm sure I'll have more questions to annoy you with

If you're going down the carpentry route make sure you find somewhere that does 'real' carpentry not just sticking up few joist in a house.

Again you need to decide do you want to be more akin to a master craftsman, making furniture etc or just a fitter fitting doors and joists in house for some mega housebuilder.

[Ozwin]

I see myself making iteresting things like chairs but being able to make things on the side like bird tables and stuff, selling those for a few quid aswell. I want to be a specialist craftsmen. I can see me calling myself 'a carpenter' when I'm out and about. That seems like such a cool title.

[davieG]

I see myself making iteresting things like chairs but being able to make things on the side like bird tables and stuff, selling those for a few quid aswell. I want to be a specialist craftsmen. I can see me calling myself 'a carpenter' when I'm out and about. That seems like such a cool title.

Nice choice the downside to that is there's not that many of those around making it hard to find someone to offer you an apprenticeship. It's also likely to be a small organisation so the training will be hard, satisfying but not very well financially rewarded in the early days because you wont actually be producing anything. You need to do some research to see if there is anyone out there offering training.

Edit if you lived near the coast you could have considered boat builting although most of those are fibreglass or similar synthetic materials. You'd probably be better off in France - did you do O level French

[Ozwin]

Connexions here I come!

[davieG]

Connexions here I come!

I don't want to put you off but be careful from my experience they are ok if you want a run of the mill job, don't let them push you into something you don't want, as I said in my previous post do some research look through the Yellow Pages / Internet and find carpenters; then produce a standard letter explaining your interest and asking them what they manufacture and would they take you on as an apprentice.