Wiltshire Council is offering plenty of support for students who wish to consider apprenticeships following GCSE results day.
They are hosting an information event at County Hall, Trowbridge, from 12.30-1pm on 23 August.
It will feature a presentation with the chance to ask questions and is open to all parents and children from Year 8 upwards.
The presentation will include information on pay as well as:
● the range of careers apprenticeships can lead to
● what are Higher and Degree Apprenticeships?
● who can do an apprenticeship?
For people who can’t make the presentation there will also be a drop-in session in the Atrium at County Hall where advisers can answer questions about apprenticeships from 11.30am-1.30pm on 23 August.
Laura Mayes, Wiltshire Council cabinet member for education, said: “More and more Wiltshire employers are offering apprentices a chance to study for A Level-standard qualifications while also working and earning a wage.
“Apprenticeships are changing beyond recognition, opening career pathways in industries not normally associated with apprenticeships.”
“They can be a terrific option for the right candidates.”
For example, Goughs Solicitors – with offices in Chippenham, Corsham, Calne, Trowbridge, Melksham and Devizes – see apprenticeships as a big part of their recruitment. From September 2018 they are giving young people the opportunity to study a Level 3 Paralegal Apprenticeship. They hope to set successful apprentices on the way to Solicitor Apprenticeships – which would include a fully-funded law degree.
In South West Wiltshire, the number of Advanced Apprenticeship starts – equivalent to A Levels – has increased by more than 60% in the last three years.
In 2016/17 there were more than 470 Level 3 apprenticeship starts in South West Wiltshire, compared to 290 in 2013/14.
- For more information about apprenticeships see the Parents’ Guide to Apprenticeships on the Work Wiltshire website https://workwiltshire.co.uk/parents/
