Business Management Higher Apprenticeship with the BBC

Great opportunity with the BBC, leads to BA degree in Business Management AND earns a salary and experience with the BBC.  Expect huge competition for these places, but absolutely no reason not to go for it!     Here are the details.

School Sports Apprenticeship vacancies

DSSN is looking for sports apprentices to support the delivery of PE and
school sport within Dacorum Primary Schools. The role will begin in
September 2015.
The apprentice will:
 be based in a primary school (4 days/ week)
 work for DSSN (1 day/week)
 earn approximately £4200/year
 receive a NVQ- Activity Leadership level 2 qualification
 be aged 16-21 and not in full time education
The apprentice should:
 Have some leadership experience
 Have good organisational skills
 Be self-motivated and able to use their initiative
 Want to inspire others.
If all of the above sounds like a career for you please contact
Clare McCawley on 01442 278737 or via e-mail to:
C.McCawley@cavendish.herts.sch.uk for more details and an
application form.
Closing date Friday 29th May 2015

Apprenticeships with Aldi - application window opens 9th March

Aldi is the fastest-growing supermarket in the UK today. But that’s not just down to our award-winning products and super low prices. It’s our people. They have that little bit of sparkle, making our stores not only a unique place to shop, but also a rewarding place to work

Our Apprenticeship Training Programme gives ambitious school leavers a three-year springboard to a successful career in retail. Whether you choose Store or Logistics Management, you’ll be given a competitive salary (starting at £5.30 per hour) and a supportive environment where you can learn from the very best. We’re about to open our Apprentice window on 9th March. We tend to have a high response so it’s worth thinking about it now. Have a look at our website and check out Chloe’s video. She’s the perfect person to tell you how it really is and why you need to be a hardworking, determined sort of person to join us. For an Apprenticeship Programme like no other, emailaldi.apprenticeships@first4skills.com and kick-start your career!

Local apprenticeship vacancies 21/1/15

Latest list of local vacancies is available here, some great opportunities to look out for.

This list is updated regularly and is posted on school website Careers page.   The jobs shown on this list are just a selection of the vacancies available now/soon. They are here to give you an idea of the range of opportunities which are available.
For more information on each of these vacancies and to apply, you need this website, which is the national one. https://www.gov.uk/apply-apprenticeship

There are other ways to find apprenticeships too. For example the construction industry (from trades to technical) have their own separate website http://www.citb.co.uk/bconstructive/ 

When you want to apply, make your application the best it can be. Give yourself time, ask for help, and get someone you trust to run through it before you submit it.  There is often huge competition for these jobs, but that's because they are worth it!   Ask for help and advice.

Then when you are offered an interview, do plenty of preparation beforehand (again, ask for some help and there are lots of interview tips online).

Apprenticeships are advertised all year round as vacancies become available.  Jobs starting from July onwards might be advertised any time, but particularly from about April onwards - be ready to apply by preparing a draft application which you can customise when you spot the perfect vacancy.  Every vacancy is different, depending on the employer. 

FCO Services Apprenticeships

If you're interested in electronics and technology, have at least five GCSEs at C or above, including English, Maths and either Physics biased Science or Electronics and are ready to get your hands on some big projects, this is the perfect opportunity.
On our structured three-year programme you'll start out at college - gaining a wide range of technical engineering skills, and working towards achieving core qualifications.
Website

Opportunities for school leavers

Here are some ideas to explore if you are looking at alternatives to university ie you have (or expect to have) UCAS points. Not all employers will require you to have UCAS points, they may just want GCSEs plus vocational/technical qualifications, relevant experience, and enthusiasm.  Many of these links offer advice as well as opportunities to apply for.  Also see other posts on this blogspot site - check the labels on the right hand side for sectors and other labels according to your interest area.

These opportunities are competitive so be sure to make your applications really OUTSTANDING.  They are at least as difficult to complete as a UCAS application.  Seek help and advice and don't leave your application till the last minute.    You can get help from Youth Connexions with making your application, or ask in Careers Office, or ask someone you trust especially if they already work in the sector you are aiming for.

Don't be daunted if you are turned down - just learn from the experience and make your application better next time.  Vacancies come online all year round. Unlike UCAS, you can apply for as many as you want and at any time.  Just do plenty of research and only apply if you fit the criteria in the vacancy exactly - or can at least put a good case together to make the employer interested in you.

Youth Connexions Hertfordshire have compiled a list of national employers with opportunities for school leavers who are looking for alternatives to uni.  The list is organised by industry sector. These opportunities normally require 280+ UCAS points (predicted or actual) to apply and will include a structured training (paid) with a view to a permanent position.   See the list here.

You can apply for apprenticeships - with UCAS points you can apply for a Higher Apprenticeship, or you can apply for an Advanced Apprenticeship - most of these require GCSEs not A levels, but the better ones (more technical, higher paid and better prospects) will require more maturity, experience and engagement than someone leaving from year 11.

Pure Potential is an independent organisation which raises the aspirations of thousands of sixth-formers every year, encouraging them to apply to and achieve offers from excellent universities and leading employers.   Good section on School Leavers, including a booklet to download  "Guide to Alternatives to University 2014".  See their events page too: some of these are free if you register early enough.

AllAboutSchoolLeavers for actual vacancies and advice on how to apply. They list School Leaver Programmes, Higher Apprenticeships and Sponsored Degree programmes.

Total Professions Careers Spotlight: New Routes to the Professions.Aiming to improve access to professional careers.

Future-talent      Apprenticeships and Sponsored Degrees.  Advice and opportunities.

Not Going to Uni - the one stop site for apprenticeships, gap years, distance learning and jobs.
From apprenticeships to debt-free education, there are literally thousands of other opportunities out there. The Not Going to Uni team are here to help you find apprenticeships, college courses or work experience to start building your future.

Not Going To Uni Newsletter 26-1-15  Opportunities with Skanska, Army, Smith & Williamson (financial services), Merchant Navy, Laing O'Rourke.

Tesco training programmes inc Management training and apprenticeships.  Tesco is a very large employer which holds potential for employment in almost every sector, not just retail.  For instance they need people in HR, marketing, finance, logistics, operations - as do many large employers.

Find your future in finance and law with Directions.  All you need to know about careers in the finance sector and how to get a rewarding career through work experience, school leaver schemes, apprenticeships, internships and graduate schemes.                        

Apprenticeships: a Parent's Guide

See this guide for answers to questions such as...
What is the difference between Advanced Apprenticeship and Higher Apprenticeship?

Main site for young people wanting information on Apprenticeships, including finding a vacancy and how to apply.

Network Rail: 200 Apprenticeship Vacancies Nationally

Network Rail is seeking to recruit 200 young people from across Britain for its award-winning apprenticeship scheme, as it continues the largest investment into the railway since Victorian times.

The scheme offers anyone over the age of 17, a fantastic opportunity to earn while they learn, gain valuable qualifications and skills and to build a career in engineering.  More details here.

The Network Rail Advanced Apprenticeship scheme is open to anyone who is 17 by 31st August 2015. Further details on the scheme, including cases studies of current and former apprentices talking about their own experiences, can be found on our website: http://www.networkrail.co.uk/apprentices.

Local Apprenticeship vacancies 18/11/14

Latest list available here, some great opportunities to look out for.

This list is updated regularly and is posted on school website Careers page.  If you want to apply, make your application the best it can be. Give yourself time, ask for help, and get someone you trust to run through it before you submit it.

Then when you are offered an interview, do plenty of preparation beforehand (again, ask for some help and there are lots of interview tips online).
All the vacancies are on http://www.apprenticeships.org.uk/  There you can look up all the job details using the AV number shown on the list and send in your application.

Careers At Sea open day

The merchant navy is the name given to the international commercial shipping industry.  It is made up of a large number of shipping companies who recruit crew, known as merchant seafarers.  The size and type of ships and their cargoes vary greatly, and trade routes may take them to every continent and across every ocean on the globe.
Warsash Maritime Academy are running an open day on 23 January 2015 for secondary students. Contact them direct to attend.  Website
Event poster

School Leavers & Apprenticeship Careers Show

Thursday 16th October 2014 at Design Centre Islington  http://www.apprenticeshipcareersshow.com/

Local Apprenticeships in Dacorum

Here's the most recent list from Youth Connexions.  This list is updated regularly and is posted on school website Careers page.  The AV reference number can be used to look up the full job details on the vacancies page of the national website http://www.apprenticeships.org.uk/  

Barratts Trade Apprenticeships

BARRATTS have plumbing and bricklaying apprenticeships available across Hertfordshire.   These are for two years, with more options available after that.  The start date for apprentices is end of August so would be suitable for current year 11's. Closing date is 30/06/2014 although they will close earlier if they receive the right candidates.  You’ll need to be good with your hands, good with people, and happy to work in all weathers. There’s plenty of studying to be done too, so you’ll need a good all round education and be willing to learn even more. No qualifications required.  Apply online at http://www.buildingcareerstogether.co.uk/Graduate-and-entry-level-careers/ 

Silverson Machines Mechanical Engineering Apprenticeship

SILVERSON MACHINES based in Chesham are running a brand new Mechanical Engineering Apprenticeship scheme from September this year in a new purpose built training centre. 
www.silverson.com They are looking for 4 apprentices: this could be of interest to those who are about to take their GCSE's.   This opportunity will be advertised in the local press shortly.  Click here for the advert.

Toni & Guy Hairdressing Apprenticeships

TONI&GUY Hairdressers in Hemel Hempstead are currently looking for 2 apprentices to join the team in the salon. The apprenticeship is a 2 year full time paid position where candidates would also get to study for an NVQ Level 2 in Hairdressing. All study and training is done within in the salon. This is an excellent opportunity to learn the trade and also get first hand experience within the profession with one of the best hairdressing companies worldwide.
It would be a perfect opportunity for students who have a keen interest in hair and are approaching the end of their GCSE’s.
Contact Adam Geraghty, TONI&GUY Hemel Hempstead, 01442 233300  salon@hemel.toniandguy.co.uk

Vacancy for PE and School Sports Apprentices

DACORUM SCHOOL SPORTS NETWORK have positions for PE and School Sports Apprentices. See the advert attached.  Apply by 23^rd May.

Kaplan Summer School

Designed especially for those in Year 11, Kaplan Summer Schools are FREE three-day events to help improve your chances of getting an Apprenticeship job. You'll get tons of practical advice from industry experts about working in Business and Accountancy, plus a certificate for your National Record of Achievement.  Click here for dates and locations for this summer.

BT Apprenticeships: application window is open

BT are recruiting apprentices on their national scheme.  Their training programme is very good - if you apply make sure your application is top notch - as with all job applications.

Interested in Accountancy?

Kaplan Summer School taking applications for their free taster courses with information on the Apprenticeship route into Accountancy.  Milton Keynes office is easy to get to by train from Hemel Hempstead.  Open to young people in year 11,12,13.
Back online again at last!

Vacancy in Customer Services at Northgate

Northgate in Hemel Hempstead contacted me about an immediate vacancy they have in Customer Services.  A great way to start out with this excellent employer.  See the details on the apprenticeship vacancy service.