The high cost of a university education has deterred many young people from pursuing this type of education. Apprenticeships are gaining in popularity and can be used to help students gain a foothold on the jobs ladder.

What is an Apprenticeship?

As long as you live in the UK and are over the age of 16 you could be eligible for a place on an apprenticeship scheme. You will be able to earn while you train, and you’ll finish your course with nationally accepted qualifications. Apprenticeships with West Suffolk College will give you the opportunity to gain the skills necessary for your chosen profession, and employers are paid a grant of £1,500 by the government towards the costs of employing an apprentice.

Apprenticeships Offer Many Opportunities

There are an increasing number of apprenticeships available across the whole country. Over 150,000 employers are taking part in the scheme, and 85% of apprentices remain in employment, with an impressive 64% remaining with the same employer that they trained with. Opportunities are available within trades as diverse as catering to Information Technology.

Big Business Encourages Apprenticeships

The Confederation of Business Industry (CBI) and the British Chambers of Commerce have all spoken out in favour of the scheme. In a recent letter to The Daily Telegraph business leaders said: “Apprenticeships build the country’s skills base, support industries and create opportunities for young people leading to well paid jobs.” While unemployment in the UK is falling, young people age between 18-24, are still finding it difficult to get work. Figures released by the House of Commons show that 881,000 of this demographic are not in education and haven’t gained a job. Apprenticeships are seen as a way of cutting this figure and giving people a genuine opportunity to enter the workplace.

Some Facts about Apprenticeships

Your age determines how much you can earn on one of these schemes. Young people between the ages of 16-19 will be eligible for an Apprenticeship Minimum Wage (AMW) of £2.68 per hour. Training and college time is taken into your hourly consideration and once you have been on the course for a year and have reached the age of 19, your hourly rate will increase to £5.03 per hour. You will be treated as an employee, and if you show the right aptitude, you will be encouraged to progress to a Higher Apprenticeship, which is equivalent to a degree.