Jobs & Careers with Piers Linney - 54

like to work in, or those who didn't get
the grades they hoped for at school.
If you've left school without
qualifications, you could also look into
traineeships programmes, designed
to provide a stepping stone to future
success by giving young people aged
between 16 and 23 the training, English,
maths and work experience they need
to get an apprenticeship or other job.
Traineeships are delivered by training
providers and funded by the government,
and employers provide a valuable work
experience placement. Log on to www.
apprenticeships.org.uk or call 08000
150 600 to find out more information.
If you are not sure whether you are
suited to an apprenticeship, or are just
contemplating what your options might
be, check out www.notgoingtouni.co.uk
for more information on your choices.
Alternatively, get in contact with the
National Careers Service (www.national
careersservice.direct.gov.uk), which
provides independent, impartial advice
about careers and the job market. It is
available to everyone aged 13 and over,
and offers detailed information and
advice to anyone considering their
options after full-time education.

Growing trend
Joe Billington, Director of the National
Careers Service, said: 'Young people need
impartial, inspirational information and

'There have been reports
that some apprentices
are not receiving
formal training, and are
getting paid less than
the minimum wage, so
make sure you're getting
what you're rightfully
due before you sign up'
advice to motivate them to succeed and
enable them to make the right choices for
their future. Apprenticeships are an
increasingly popular option with young
people, providing the opportunity to
work in a range of jobs and to earn and
learn at the same time. The schemes
can lead to life-changing career
opportunities with real progression.'
The good news is that, even though
some areas of the job market may
be struggling, many companies are
actively recruiting apprentices in 2015.
BMW is taking on 200 across its retail

An advanced
apprenticeship is
seen as the best way
into the engineering
and construction
industry. Find out more
at www.ecitb.org.uk

Case study
'It has allowed me to gain hands-on experience while furthering my education'
Ben Strickland has been on Hanson UK's trainee supervisor, higher apprenticeship programme since 2012.
He hopes to manage his own department within the next five years, and progress to director level
'I applied for this
will serve to open up an exciting
become responsible for my own
apprenticeship
and varied career path for me.
quarry or business unit, both
because the
'During the first two years of
commercially and operationally.
graduate jobs
the course, I was based at quarries
'My ultimate career goal is to
market had
situated in the north of England
reach director level, and I have
become really
and in north Wales, where
no doubt that the apprenticeship
competitive during the recession.
I learned the fundamentals of
programme will help me to get
It has allowed me to gain hands-on
the process and developed the
there. I have regular interactive
experience with a multi-national
interpersonal skills required to
sessions with senior management
company, while at the same time
carry out my current front-line
to present ideas for business
furthering my education.
management role.
improvement and I am learning
'The skills I have learned in
'I am now based at Shap quarry,
the ins and outs of what makes a
the quarry division can easily
in Cumbria, where I work as a
business successful financially
be transferred to other business
supervisor. Over the next five
and operationally. This was
lines within the Hanson group, and
years, I hope to progress to
definitely the right route for me.'

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http://apprenticeships.org.uk http://www.notgoingtouni.co.uk http://www.national http://careersservice.direct.gov.uk http://www.ecitb.org.uk

Jobs & Careers with Piers Linney

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