Apprenticeships?

[Milton Keynes Fox]

Was just interested in other people's opinions on apprenticeships for a 17 year old? Whether they do get you the experience to move up through jobs or whether you end up doing the same job for the rest of your life?

[Lamby]

It does get you experience and a qualification, but good luck trying to actually get one, I've had about 5 interviews for them and not got any response

[Amin]

It does get you experience and a qualification, but good luck trying to actually get one, I've had about 5 interviews for them and not got any response

I suppose it depends what kind of apprenticeship you want. My brother is currently looking for a media based apprenticeship but can't find any. On the other hand, about 10 people that were in my class at college got into engineering apprenticeships last year.

[Libertine]

Go for it. It all depends on what type of thing you're doing. I'm on one which is just general admin, so something which you'll gain a decent range of general personal skills which are transferable. They aren't just typical manual jobs like back in the day.

[Lamby]

I suppose it depends what kind of apprenticeship you want. My brother is currently looking for a media based apprenticeship but can't find any. On the other hand, about 10 people that were in my class at college got into engineering apprenticeships last year.

I'm just looking for Admin/Customer Service

[kingfox]

It really depends on what you want to do.

Retail then don't bother, anything else then look into it.

[davieG]

Until recently I used to manage apprentices firstly in electronic, electrical and mechanical engineering and after that in construction. If they're set up properly and the organisation really believes in and supports them then they can be excellent in many ways better than going to University.

The ones I ran were 4 year+ for O Level candidates starting with day release to do an ONC followed by an HNC or 2 year+ for A level candidates doing HNC. For both groups if the apprentice was good enough and had satisfied the qualifying requirements to do a degree they could be then sponsored for a day release/sandwich or full time degree course in a relevant subject depending on what was available.

So they either ended up after 2 or 4 years with an HNC and a Technician position which they could then develop to Senior Technician level or if they did the Degree course as an Engineer with the opportunity to become a Senior Engineer and upwards.

Takes longer to get a degree but you end up with no debts.

Of course the big problem is finding an organisation that does this and in the present climate training is the first to take a hit when budgets are cut.

I really feel that the government should provide financial backing for smaller companies because having done survey of them I found most simply can't afford to run apprenticeships.

[FoxLAD]

I did an apprenticeship last year, depending what company you work for i think really matters,

i work for a small gate installation company in Hinckley doing a admin appreniceship, cause it was a small company i was able not only do admin side of things i also got to go out fitting the gates witch i really enjoyed!

[The Year Of The Fox]

Was just interested in other people's opinions on apprenticeships for a 17 year old? Whether they do get you the experience to move up through jobs or whether you end up doing the same job for the rest of your life?

Yeh they're good really. They are certainly much better than just taking a full time course in the subject, purely because you get on the job experience. Employers will mainly look at experience before they look at certificates.

On my first week at college my boss told me to pass the exams then forget everything they teach you there.

You will progress too, they won't make you tea boy forver

[Webbo]

Last summer I was painting an outside off Narborough Rd when a young lad came up to me in the street and asked me how to set himself up as a decorator, he told me he'd just passed his apprenticeship , when I question him a bit it turned out he'd done a 3 month course, he didn't even know what paper hanging was. When I did my apprenticeship it was 13 weeks a year block placement plus 2 nights a week, every week for 3 years.

Apprenticeships are good if they are real apprenticeships. A lot of what's called an apprenticeship now are just schemes to massage the unemployment figures.

[The Year Of The Fox]

Last summer I was painting an outside off Narborough Rd when a young lad came up to me in the street and asked me how to set himself up as a decorator, he told me he'd just passed his apprenticeship , when I question him a bit it turned out he'd done a 3 month course, he didn't even know what paper hanging was. When I did my apprenticeship it was 13 weeks a year block placement plus 2 nights a week, every week for 3 years.

Apprenticeships are good if they are real apprenticeships. A lot of what's called an apprenticeship now are just schemes to massage the unemployment figures.

Yep. These courses you see advertised are bollox. 'Become a plumber in 2 weeks and earn £50k.'

[mr whippy]

Apprenticeships are definately worthwhile. I currently contract myself to 2 training providers that predominantly deal with engineering apprenticeships although most vocations are catered for including business admin, customer service, team leading etc.

Both providers are based in Northants but deal with apprentices nationwide. Both recently received good Ofsted inspections.

Anyone needs any info. either from an apprentice or employer point of view let me know I would be happy to try and help.

[FoxLAD]

Sometimes you have to be careful, alot of people i knew who did apprenticehips just got used for cheap labour.. the company built them up thinking they'll have a job afterwards, then let them go because 'they didnt have a job going' but then got somone else in afterwards.

just got to watch out somtimes.

[The Year Of The Fox]

Sometimes you have to be careful, alot of people i knew who did apprenticehips just got used for cheap labour.. the company built them up thinking they'll have a job afterwards, then let them go because 'they didnt have a job going' but then got somone else in afterwards.

just got to watch out somtimes.

They probably made crap tea

[The Year Of The Fox]

Apprenticeships are definately worthwhile. I currently contract myself to 2 training providers that predominantly deal with engineering apprenticeships although most vocations are catered for including business admin, customer service, team leading etc.

Both providers are based in Northants but deal with apprentices nationwide. Both recently received good Ofsted inspections.

Anyone needs any info. either from an apprentice or employer point of view let me know I would be happy to try and help.

Is there a minimum wage as an apprentice that you can be paid? I'm doing Level 3, not 2. I know the minimum for Level 2 is £80. Also, if there is a minimum for Level 3 Apprentices, is that supposed to increase the older you get?

Thanks

[FoxLAD]

what i got told on mine, the first year they can pay you minimum £80-£100 (can't remeber what it was) then after that if you're 19 or over it has to go to minimum wage or more.

[mr whippy]

Is there a minimum wage as an apprentice that you can be paid? I'm doing Level 3, not 2. I know the minimum for Level 2 is £80. Also, if there is a minimum for Level 3 Apprentices, is that supposed to increase the older you get?

Thanks

[mr whippy]

I believe the minimum wage is

£2.65 ph for apprentices aged 16-18. Apprentices aged 19 or over who have completed one year of their apprenticeship are entitled to receive the national minimum wage rate applicable to their age.

There appears to be a massive variation in what employers pay their apprentices. I have had dealings with apprentices on the minimum wage through to 16 year old apprentices on £240 per week.

Certainly in the engineering sector there is not a requirement for a company to pay your more once you have completed your level 2 and are undertaking level 3.

[Rincewind]

I'm doing a media apprentice (of sorts) and I'm over 60. You just have to be patient.

[Guest MattP]

I'm doing a media apprentice (of sorts) and I'm over 60. You just have to be patient.

Question Time?

[Milton Keynes Fox]

Thanks guys, much appreciated

[Reynard Bleu]

I believe the minimum wage is

£2.65 ph for apprentices aged 16-18. Apprentices aged 19 or over who have completed one year of their apprenticeship are entitled to receive the national minimum wage rate applicable to their age.

There appears to be a massive variation in what employers pay their apprentices. I have had dealings with apprentices on the minimum wage through to 16 year old apprentices on £240 per week.

Certainly in the engineering sector there is not a requirement for a company to pay your more once you have completed your level 2 and are undertaking level 3.

Too right. I know of two financial institutions, one large national and one humungous mult-national who offer the same IT apprenticeship. Both offer City & Guilds qualification with some Microsoft Technical Architecture qualifications. One is a two year apprenticeship that pays 13K pa irrespective of age and the other a one year deal that pays £120 per week for 18 and under.

[LCFC FOX]

Have no idea what job to do Stay on do A levels or go and do an apprenticeship?

[davieG]

Have no idea what job to do Stay on do A levels or go and do an apprenticeship?

if you know what sort of career you want then do some research into what sort of qualifications get you in at or what level you can reach. If you don't then A levels in some of the basic subjects is probably your best bet gives you another couple of years to develop ideas.