Advantages and disadvantages

There are many advantages in training as an Apprentice. Here are just a few:

• They get paid. The level of pay depends on their employer and the skill area in which they are training. But, compared to staying on at school or college, where they may have to work in the evenings or at the weekends to earn some money, they're going to be better off.
• They will learn by a combination of attending college, their training provider and their employer. They are out of the school classroom and much of the learning will be by doing things rather than having to remember facts. So if they don't enjoy school then this may be a better option for them.
• They gain recognised qualifications - NVQs, Key Skills and a Technical Certificate.
• They will be trained to do a job. So, unlike those who stay on at school and take A Levels, they will have a qualification that shows that they have the skills necessary to do that job. Future employers know that they will not have to spend a lot of time training them - they will have the ability to 'hit the ground running' and, all being well, a good reference from their original employer to support them.
• If they want to gain a higher qualification such as a HNC, HND, Foundation Degree or Honours Degree and they have a supportive employer, they can continue to study on a part-time basis while continuing to receive a wage. In this way they can avoid the huge debts that full-time undergraduates face.

There may be some disadvantages – it depends on the skill area and their preferred method of learning:

• If they want to go to university it may take longer to get there with some Apprenticeships, depending on the subject area.
• If they want to continue to study at a higher level on a part-time basis this will also take longer – but remember, you need to balance this against the future debt of full-time study.
• They may be more suited to classroom study and full time education.
• Not all occupations offer Apprenticeships, so they may have no option but to take the academic route.
• The range of courses they can study at higher level may be more limited. Universities still understand A levels better than Apprenticeships, but this is changing and, as long as they choose a course that is a natural progression from their training, this should not stop them.