Apprenticeship or college?

[Andys]

Well, I had my heart set on going to college and doing a B-TEC in music, but after thinking it through; maybe an apprenticeship is the best choice. I was thinking maybe in subjects such as Business and Administration or ICT.

With college it's two years of your life with no money, and you get a qualification, which is basically worthless these days with the lack of jobs, where-as with an apprenticeship you get experience which is what an employer wants and it is easier to get a job that way.

I could go to sixth form and do my A-levels, but I really have no interest in subjects such as maths, science, history etc...

Also does anyone know anywhere up in the North East who do good apprenticeship courses?

[Hollie.]

I went to college and didnt go anywhere with it but it depends on how much you want somthing, if you realy want a job in a certain area that you know you need to go to college for then you should go for it. Plus if you go straight into looking for a apprenticeship/job then you could be trying to get 1 for years when in that time you could of gone to college to study somthing.

[Liam]

Plus if you go straight into looking for a apprenticeship/job then you could be trying to get 1 for years when in that time you could of gone to college to study somthing.
But how about when somebody finishes their course at college, they're still going to have to look for a job/apprentice that could take a year (if not, more) to find so it doesn't really make a difference.


Well, I had my heart set on going to college and doing a B-TEC in music, but after thinking it through; maybe an apprenticeship is the best choice. I was thinking maybe in subjects such as Business and Administration or ICT.
I'd go with an apprenticeship if I was you because there's probably a job at the end of it and you'll be gaining experience/actually working in the field of work which will really help when looking for a new/another job in that area of work. If you do 2 years at college, that won't guarantee you a great chance of finding a job in IT or whatever because you have no experience. Employers look for experience more than qualifications believe it or not.

[Hollie.]

Exactly it dosnt make a difference because no matter when you start looking it will take a year or more to find 1 so they might aswell be going college while trying to find a apprenticeship.

[Andys]

I'd go with an apprenticeship if I was you because there's probably a job at the end of it and you'll be gaining experience/actually working in the field of work which will really help when looking for a new/another job in that area of work. If you do 2 years at college, that won't guarantee you a great chance of finding a job in IT or whatever because you have no experience. Employers look for experience more than qualifications believe it or not.
I agree with that, they definitely do look for experience over qualifications.
Do you actually gain any qualifications or training during apprenticeships? Or is it just like a full-time job really?

[Hollie.]

I agree with that, they definitely do look for experience over qualifications.
Do you actually gain any qualifications or training during apprenticeships? Or is it just like a full-time job really?

A apprenticeship is basiclly training for the job, so you get the job but you just go through training first.

[Andys]

A apprenticeship is basiclly training for the job, so you get the job but you just go through training first.
So is it basically the same as when you get a full-time job and at the start sometimes you are required to do the training?

[Hollie.]

So is it basically the same as when you get a full-time job and at the start sometimes you are required to do the training?

As a apprentice all you do is training, and it depends on what job it is how long you will be a apprentice for it could be 1 - 3 years, Then when you finish that its just a regular job.

[Arron]

My friend has an Apprenticeship at Audi. He was the selected candidate from a hundred hopefulls. Next year he's getting a full time job there, estimated £20k a year. Not bad really?

I'm looking into doing an Apprenticeship in a Traffic Control Room.

[N-Dubz]

If you do apprenticeship expect to get paid low money, and basically be a slave till your training's complete.

[Andys]

If you do apprenticeship expect to get paid low money, and basically be a slave till your training's complete.
Yeah I know that. I'd be lucky to be earning £100 a week, but it gets you started doesn't it? Gives you the experience and training in that area of work to able to be qualified for a job in that field of work.

[N-Dubz]

Yeah I know that. I'd be lucky to be earning £100 a week, but it gets you started doesn't it? Gives you the experience and training in that area of work to able to be qualified for a job in that field of work.

I know but I was just telling you, if you want to go down the apprenticeship route make sure it's what you really want to do. You'll be working hard hours all week most probably, and then you'll have training on the weekend too depending on what field you go into. They make you earn that small amount of wage, and they don't like you quitting once you've started.

[Kasabian]

From first hand experience, Apprenticeship was the better option from me.

Like you said, it's the experience you gain - this is important. Example, you go to college and study for 2/3 years, yeah you've got your qualifications, but where's your experience? How do you fair in the 'real world', so to speak.

I'd much rather be on a shop floor of a factory/in an office etc rather than stuck in a college group, where a small percentage of them will disrupt your learning. The working environment helps develop people skills, and experience in your selected career choice.

I had an apprenticeship as a maintenance engineer. I was there 3 years - with a part-time 1 day college course each year. I trained in the mechanical side of engineering, working on various machines.

If I had gone to college, I would know the logic behind it all - but wouldn't have first hand experience in the area - stripping down a motor, changing drive belts etc.

For me, apprenticeships are the way to go. Qualifications, Experience in a working environment & some cash in your back pocket.

Also, saying you'd be 'lucky to earn £100 a week'. £2.50 of your wage is whats paid by the government towards the apprenticeship, 40 hours a week x £2.50 = £100.
This might not seem alot to you, but take into consideration that colleges are now stopping EMA. Some company's also pay towards your wage, when I started my apprenticeship I was on £5 an hour, 2 years later and I had had pay raises and I was on £7.36 an hour, which isn't bad at the age of 18.



If you do apprenticeship expect to get paid low money, and basically be a slave till your training's complete.

Not true. Depending on the company, you are treated as a colleague rather than a 'slave'.
For the first couple of months, I was told to shadow a certain engineer at the company, get to know the ropes and what he was doing. A few more months later, I was given my own tasks, and they'd leave me to finish it. Some employers do put trust in you, to gain your own experience, rather than be a 'slave'.

[N-Dubz]

Not true. Depending on the company, you are treated as a colleague rather than a 'slave'.
For the first couple of months, I was told to shadow a certain engineer at the company, get to know the ropes and what he was doing. A few more months later, I was given my own tasks, and they'd leave me to finish it. Some employers do put trust in you, to gain your own experience, rather than be a 'slave'.

In majority of companies, for the amount of money you're earning, you basically are a slave in terms. I suppose it depends if you really want to put the effort in and if it's the job you really want. I hated working the hours I was given, which I later found out was actually illegal hours, and then realizing halfway through the course I didn't even want to do it. At least in College you're training for various things, and if you're on certain courses you do get placements during so.

I understand with EMA stopping a lot more people will want to do the apprenticeship route. It all depends on what sort of person you are, because the placements I was on when doing apprenticeships made me really work to get that money. Half the time I wasn't even doing the job I was hired for. I prefer college myself, but each to their own I guess.