The Hour

In the current climate, with personal debt soaring and university tuition fees rising to inflated levels, it’s not surprising that many young people are confused about what to do with their future. After all, it’s a common misconception that degrees are an essential element to a successful career.

If the thought of decades in debt doesn’t appeal, there are other routes to gain qualifications, for example an apprenticeship.

Highly appealing due to the paid on-the-job learning, an apprenticeship scheme involves working  whilst studying for a qualification at the same time, either at a college or at a specialist training provider partly off-site. Apprentices aged between 16 and 18 don’t pay for their training and also get paid by their employer – on average around £170 per week.

With an apprenticeship, you can benefit from the experience of on-the-job placement coupled with real qualifications and a real wage.

In the recent Budget, the Government announced its intentions to fund 40,000 additional apprenticeships and 100,000 extra work experience placements in engineering, manufacturing and IT for 2011-12.

Here at Proskills, to ensure the apprenticeship placements are filled in our crucial sectors, we are about to relaunch our Prospect4U website, to encourage more young people into the world of manufacturing. With links to employers and training providers, it gives jobseekers an insight into what careers are possible in the sector, from carpentry to working on jet fighter missiles. The new website will also include details of expected salaries, career progression, apprenticeships and qualifications as well as case studies from those already in the industries.

It is important to take time to weigh up the possible training routes available to you. Whilst university studies may suit some, others may find apprenticeship schemes are the way into their chosen career. Why not look at the pros and cons of university versus apprenticeships, and make an informed choice of which is right for you.

TRAINING FOR JOB SUCCESS

• Internships can help
• Social network your way in
• What about volunteering?
• How to improve your chances?