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APPRENTICESHIPS

A flavour of apprenticeships in Leicester and Leicestershire

For young people and adults Apprenticeships are an exciting valuable route to a career, whatever your aspirations. Some of the country’s biggest and most prestigious companies offer apprenticeships across a huge range of job roles. That’s one reason why they’re proving so popular - over a million individuals have started apprenticeships since May 2015. At any one time there are 500-600 apprenticeships available in Leicester and Leicestershire in a variety of different job roles.

For employers Many employers recognise the value in nurturing new talent and are committed to developing their apprentices to become future leaders. They invest in apprenticeship training because it improves their profitability and helps them keep a competitive edge.

For parents Apprenticeships are an excellent way to get a foothold in the job market early, without sacrificing those all-important qualifications.

This snapshot guide has been collated to showcase just some of the amazing opportunities that are on offer in Leicestershire. We also answer your questions about apprenticeships and tell you what the deal really is.

Get in touch employmenthub@leicester.gov.uk

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leicester_hubleicesterhubleicesterhub leicesteremploymenthub.co.uk

What’s inside?

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Do I have to stay on at school until I’m 18?

Are the qualifications worthwhile?

Can you change your mind?

Can adults do apprenticeships?

A day in the life of a real apprentice

Here's how to get involved

What do apprentices earn?

What’s next after an apprenticeship?

Are apprenticeship job roles limited?

What’s next after A levels?

Really useful local employer information

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MythYou fill in your options online in Year 11 and receive your college choices, so surely you have to stick with it?

Fact After GCSEs, most Year 11s do choose to stay on in full-time education at sixth form or college, but you can start an apprenticeship instead at any point after you finish Year 11.

You can keep your options open by looking at apprenticeships even after you have submitted choices.

Mattioli Woods plc• Wealth management provider since 1991• Offices in Leicester and eight other UK locations • 620 staff, of which 56 joined as apprentices • Apprentice roles include client relationship management, IT support and IT tech, investments administration and business administration

Progression Degree apprenticeship, BA (Hons) in Business Management offered to talented employees

An apprenticeship is an alternative option to full-time education

Our unique approach to training and mentoring provides apprentices with the tools to accelerate within our business, make a difference and grow with us. In return we gain hardworking, loyal employees, full of fresh ideas and energy.

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Do I have to stay on at school until I’m 18?

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Umair, providing financial services intermediate apprentice

After one year of ‘A’ levels at Gateway College, Umair realised further education was not for him and beginning his career through an apprenticeship would be more suited to his aspirations.

Whilst on work experience at Mattioli Woods he appreciated their workplace culture for apprentices, which was fun, fair and rewarding. That’s one of the reasons he chose to start his career with them.

The training provided has been well structured. When I’m not taking part in training, I’m well supported by my coach and know I can turn to anyone on the section for help.

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1. Register on gov.uk/apply-apprenticeship Set a text alert to receive information about apprenticeship jobs.

The start date must be after your GCSEs but you can apply and attend interviews before you finish your exams.

2. Register for our Hub100 events onleicesteremploymenthub.co.uk/hub100You can also view the job vacancies and get interview tips.

How to start looking for an apprenticeship

Hub100 is:Improving your chances of success

All the application stages in one process

Preparing you for a successful employer interview

What do apprentices earn?MythApprenticeships are cheap labour with no real prospects

FactSalaries for apprentices under 19, or in their first year, start at £3.70 per hour minimum. That’s £111 a week if you work 30 hours. This rises to a minimum of £5.90 in the second year for those aged 18 to 20, (£7.38 for 21-24 year-olds, or National Living Wage of £7.83 for over 25s).

In reality the average wage is £6–£7 per hour.

The starting salary for degree apprentices ranges from £12,000 - £16,000 per year.

Figures correct as of May 2018

Aggregate Industries • Produce and supply an array of construction materials and products including asphalt and concrete• 330 sites and over 4,100 employees

The apprenticeship programme provides young people with the opportunities to join them in various departments, and their organisation is benefiting from the behaviours, skills and enthusiasm that young people bring.

Administration apprentices start on £16,000, Engineering apprentices start on £11,000Higher apprentices start on £17,000

Progression routes Degrees or HNDs offered to talented employees

Attracting talent with better wages

We believe that it is crucial to foster, engage and develop future talent within the construction sector. As the sector undergoes a period of considerable growth, we find ourselves faced with a growing shortage of talent.’

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Most businesses will pay what they can afford, and because they need to compete for the best candidates they will pay a competitive salary to attract applications. ‘

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Are the qualificationsworthwhile?MythThe qualifications in apprenticeships are not real and no one will value them once you have finished.

FactApprenticeships offer the amazing opportunity to earn a wage and achieve a qualification that employers love. 20% of your paid time will be spent off-the-job, furthering skills and knowledge. The training cost is covered by the employer, so no loans or debts to get the qualification!

Turning something you love into a career

Colab CreationProduces promotional videos for businesses, charities and community groups, and collaborates with education organisations to deliver enterprise education.

Nikhil, production assistant advanced apprentice‘I chose this job role because I wanted to try something different than what I did at college, and I wanted to see what life was like behind the camera’.

‘Whilst volunteering with Colab on a project I saw the potential to change direction in my education and career path. I asked Dan if he would be up for hosting my apprenticeship, as I wanted to know the ins and outs of a small creative business’.

‘The best part of my apprenticeship is being involved and becoming a part of something that I can help grow, along with being valued by my colleagues. The hardest part is the pressure of learning something new in a short amount of time and thinking on your feet’.

‘I chose this over university as I have always felt (especially in the media industry) that experience holds far more value than a qualification, as no-one can teach you experience, you have to learn it’.

‘My parents were very supportive of my apprenticeship choice and encouraged me to gain experience at a young age in the drama and media industry. My advice: Make the most of the opportunity’.

The company values resonate with apprenticeships - encourage innovation through education and thinking differently. Our apprentice Nikhil has quickly become a valuable team player and is an asset to this growing business.

Dan Lamoon Director, Colab Creation

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What's next after an apprenticeship?

How to create a lasting career from an apprenticeship

Myth Apprenticeships are short term training schemes that leave you high and dry when they’re finished.

FactEmployers really value their apprentices.

The benefits most often reported by businesses are that apprenticeships improve productivity and increase staff retention.

Most former apprentices (83%) report satisfaction with their choice, saying the skills they gained in work improved their career prospects.

DJ’s Groom Room & Sandra May’s Hair Studio‘The challenge of being in the city centre, where there are already established salons, is to provide a high standard of service but also an affordable one. It is important to find the right staff that fit in with a family run business, and for them to like us as well as us liking them.

‘Our expectations of an apprentice are • to be passionate about their chosen career, to want to learn and be prepared to start at the beginning and build their skills • to progress in their skills and knowledge gaining experience throughout their apprenticeship when qualified to have built up a clientele to continue their career with us.

‘So far we have kept on all our apprentices once they have completed their training. Our apprentices have helped us build a prosperous, youthful and successful business. They keep things new and bring brilliant ideas, keeping us at the cutting edge of our industry.’

90% of

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Career progression after

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Can you change your mind?MythI don’t know what I want to do right now and I get into an apprenticeship I don't like, I'll be stuck with it.

FactMost people don’t know what they want to do as a career but choosing an apprenticeship means you will get real life work skills and the time to think about your options.

Once you’ve got your first apprenticeship qualification, you might progress through promotion, by moving to a new employer or by transferring your skills to a different role.

Finding the right career opportunity by ‘getting a foot in the door’Pantherella

Based in Aylestone, sock manufacturer Pantherella is one of Leicester's established knitwear companies.

Joe, digital marketing advanced apprentice

‘My first apprenticeship was in warehousing at a knitwear company. Partway through I realised it wasn't a good fit for me, but I decided to stick it out at least until I got my qualification. I started job hunting after my intermediate course finished’.

‘I found the advanced apprenticeship at Pantherella and it sounded great straight away, like a step in the right direction. The fact that I'd been working at a knitwear firm for 18 months went in my favour’.

‘The job is fantastic, it’s everything that was advertised and I really feel like I’m learning a skill set that will make me attractive to potential future employers and will help me climb the ladder. In both apprenticeships I’ve worked with managers who seemed like they really wanted to impart their knowledge to me and wanted to grow me into a better rounded employee. So I’ve learned a lot in both roles’.

If you are unsure of your career path,

take a look at startprofile.com

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School leaver to fully qualified HGV technician in three years

MythThe apprenticeships you see advertised seem to be either office work or something technical that I have no experience in.

FactVery often the job title does not really explain what the opportunity can lead too. You can start your career learning the fundamentals of the business which can help you gain higher promotion prospects.

Ford and SlaterA commercial vehicle dealership for DAF Trucks based in Leicester with branches around the East Midlands and East Anglia.

Apprenticeship role: HGV technician

Ford and Slater are a good example of what companies can offer to support young people just starting out or adults beginning a new career. They start school leaver recruitment in February or March when students are making important decisions about their future. They visit schools to promote and explain their apprenticeships to students and parents, and they enable new recruits to become accustomed to work before they begin their training at college.

‘We recruit apprentices because they are the life blood of the work place, in fact 10% of our workforce is made up of either past or present apprentices, and we believe this is the best way to build leaders at every level’.

‘Practical skills and hands-on experience are gained working alongside qualified technicians. Apprentices attend DAF Trucks’ Centre of Learning at City of Bristol College for a total of 28 weeks in two week blocks across the three years. We pay for all the travel, accommodation, meals and all PPE (personal protective equipment)...the apprentices have a fantastic experience.’

Progression After qualifying with a level 3 NVQ, talented employees can be offered a place on a level 4 management course at Bristol College.

Are apprenticeship job roles limited?

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’‘ We don’t expect

(school leavers) to be work ready when they finish school, and don’t expect that parents will fully understand what apprenticeships are all about.

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VistaVista is one of the oldest and largest sight loss charities in the UK. Vista also provide specialist services for people with learning disabilities, dementia and dual sensory impairment.

Jo Residential Homes Manager

‘It’s really nice to have progressed yet still work within Vista. I have worked at two fantastic homes. Vista provided bespoke training in supporting people with different needs, enabling me to understand their behaviours and communicate effectively.’

“I became a deputy manager in 2010, gained qualifications to become a registered manager, and the following year I was appointed as manager at another Vista home. Now I am responsible for sixty members of staff.”

Getting into management with apprenticeship qualifications

Can adults do apprenticeships?MythApprenticeships are only for 16-18 year olds.

FactApprenticeships are available to anyone over the age of 16 and not in full-time education. There are different levels of apprenticeships so it is important to find the right one for you.

Locally, more people aged 25 and over do apprenticeships than those aged 16 to 24.

Apprenticeships are a great option for adults who want a new career or progression in an existing career.

Jo has worked at Vista for almost twenty years, starting as a support worker, and has gradually progressed within the organisation. moving up to senior roles that involve managerial training. She was able to complete her qualifications along the way through an apprenticeship.

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What’s next after A levels?MythI’m predicted good grades in my 'A' levels so surely the best option is to go to university to study for a degree?

FactMany employers offer Higher and Degree level apprenticeships which require good grades and are advertised on UCAS. You will spend time at university but will mainly be based in the workplace and paid a salary throughout.

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It’s great to be able to offer such a fantastic opportunity to hard working young people to get a foot on the career ladder as well as gaining a degree qualification without the associated costs and student loans. Our students’ energy and dynamism, spurred on by their learning through the course, brings fresh ideas and a real dedication to our business.Fiona Treadwell, Talent and Development Business Partner, Mattioli Woods plc

De Montfort University (DMU)Many universities are now offering higher and degree apprenticeships programmes. Their qualifications are developed directly with employers, ensuring that the learning is moulded to meet the needs of today’s business.

De Montfort University (DMU) works with employers to deliver Higher and Degree level apprenticeship programmes.

Current programmes include management, senior leadership, electronic engineering, building services, cyber security, digital and technology.

New programmes planned for launch in 2018-19 include architecture and hearing aid dispensing.

To find out more visit dmu.ac.uk/apprenticeships

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In Leicestershire, many available apprenticeships are business administration as every employer requires office skills. So what does this really mean?

A day in the life of an apprentice

Leicester City CouncilLauren, business administration advanced apprenticeMy first task of the day is to deal with incoming mail and distribute it to my colleagues. This has really helped me get to know people on the teamMost of my work is done on computer so it is important I check my emails to see outstanding tasks. This can include booking meetings to typing all sorts of documents. I’ve learned how to use lots of applications including spreadsheets, databases and word processing programmes.

The best bit of my job is that I am responsible for writing daily posts on our Instagram page about events that are coming up or case studies of apprentices from companies we have visited. I like to post in the morning as its prime time to get a ‘like’ or a ‘follow’!

The phone rings a lot so I’m always taking calls and passing on messages. I was nervous about dealing with calls when I first started, but I got used to it quickly and I’m now confident when I’m on the phone. As time has passed, I’ve learnt how to deal with a lot of the enquiries myself.

I take minutes at a lot of meetings. After the meeting, I try to get the minutes typed up as soon as possible while it’s still fresh in my mind.

I am so lucky in my role that no two days are the same. I get to visit apprentices in different companies around Leicester and Leicestershire. I love to find out about their story, it’s so inspirational and it really helps to tell others about all the great opportunities that young people just don’t know exist.

As part of my apprenticeship I complete assignments and upload them on my online portal. I meet my assessor every six weeks. We talk about what I’ve been doing and she sets me work tasks that all help to make up my qualification. I will finish my apprenticeship in November so next year I can graduate with all of the other apprentices, I can’t wait, it will make my mum so proud!

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Beaumont Leys Bakers Waste Services

BDO*

Berkeley Insurance Group

Blaby District Council

City centre

City centre

Narborough

East Midlands Housing Group Coalville

KPMG City centre

Learndirect City centre

Leicester City Council Various city locations

RSM* Grove Park, Enderby

Santander Asset Finance Narborough

Walkers Beaumont Leys

Mattioli Woods Grove Park, Enderby

bakerswaste.co.uk/jobs

bdo.co.uk/en-gb/careers berkeleyinsurancegroup.co.uk/cms/careers blaby.gov.uk

emhgroup.org.uk/work-for-us

kpmg.co.uk

learndirect.co.uk

leicester.gov.uk/jobs

rsmuk.com

santander.co.uk

pepsicojobs.com

mattioliwoods.com/careers

Barratt Developments* Bardon Hill, Coalville barrattdevelopments.co.uk/careers House building

Bloor Measham bloorhomes.com/careers House building

British Gas Grove Park, Enderby britishgas.co.uk/business/careers Gas suppliers

CITB Thurmaston citb.co.uk/citb-apprenticeships Construction training

Interserve Construction Syston interserve.com/careers Construction services

Mellor Bromley Limited Glenfield mellorbromley.co.uk/career Mechanical service installation

Toyota Material Handling Meridian toyota-forklifts.co.uk Fork lift trucks

Aggregate Industries Croft aggregate.com Quarrying

Adey Steel Group Loughborough adeysteelgroup.co.uk Steel fabrications, design and haulage

Crown Beaumont Leys crowncork.com/careers Drinks can manufacturer

Ford & Slater* Braunstone fordandslater.co.uk/careers Commercial vehicle dealership

GL Industrial Services UK* Loughborough dnvgl.com/careers Quality assurance and risk management

Hammonds Furniture Hinckley hammonds-uk.com/careers Furniture manufacture

Lots of local employers offer apprenticeships. We can't list them all, but here's a snapshot of local employers. We hope you’ll get a taste of what kinds of opportunities there are.

Really useful local employer information

Location Website Trade

BUSINESS, ADMIN AND FINANCE

CONSTRUCTION

ENGINEERING, MANUFACTURING AND AUTOMOTIVE

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Location Website Trade

Horiba Mira Mira Technology Park, horiba-mira.com/careers Automotive research and testingNuneaton

Ibstock plc National buildingbrilliantcareers.co.uk/ Brickmaking manufactureapprenticeships

KSB Limited Loughborough ksb.com/ksb-uk Pump engineering, servicing and

MWUK Castle Donington

Plastic Omnium Automotive Measham/Tamworth

Power On Connections* Potters Marston

contracting dimensions.co.uk/careers Work clothing careers.plasticomnium.com Plastic parts poweronconnections.co.uk Electrical

The Nuttall Group Hinckley nuttalls.co.uk Retail display

Triumph Motorcycles Hinckley triumphmotorcycles.co.uk/careers Motorcycles

Watling JCB Whetstone watling-jcb.com Construction machines

WYG Anstey wygcareers.com/apprentices Civil engineering

Samworth Brothers Melton samworthbrothers.co.uk/work-for-us Food production

Bradgate Bakery Beaumont Leys samworthbrothers.co.uk/work-for-us Pizza production(Samworth Brothers)

Saladworks Leicester Forest East samworthbrothers.co.uk/work-for-us Ready meal production(Samworth Brothers)

Walkers Snack Foods Beaumont Leys pepsicojobs.com Snack food production(Pepsico)

3M Health Care Loughborough 3m.co.uk/3m/en_gb/careers(Pharmaceutical products)

Leicestershire Partnership Various county locations leicspart.nhs.ukNHS Trust

University Hospitals of Various city locations leicestershospitals.nhs.ukLeicester NHS Trust

Bakers Waste Services Beaumont Leys bakerswaste.co.uk/jobs Waste service

DPD and DHL Meridian dpdhl.jobs Distribution

DPD Meridian careers.dpd.co.uk Distribution

Pall-Ex Groups Coalville pallex.co.uk/vacancies Distribution(HLD Holdings)

East Midlands Castle Donington eastmidlandsairport.com/careers RetailInternational Airport*

Asda Superstore Various asda.jobs

Central England Various cecjobs.coopCo-operative

Hammonds Furniture Hinckley hammonds-uk.com/careers

Sainsbury's Various early.careersatsainsburys.com

Everyone Active Hinckley everyoneactive.com

Hilton Leicester* Braunstone/Meridian jobs.hilton.com

*Offers their own apprenticeship or school leaver training programme

HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE

LOGISTICS

RETAIL

SPORTS AND LEISURE

FOOD AND DRINK PRODUCTION

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Here's how to get involved

Register with us to receive alerts for opportunities and recruitment events you are interested in. Information on apprenticeships, pre apprenticeship help, workshops and events leicesteremploymenthub.co.uk/job-seekers

Apprenticeship vacanciesgov.uk/apply-apprenticeship

Videos of apprentices in the workplaceresources.amazingapprenticeships.com

Higher and degree apprenticeshipsA listing that showcases 3,000 higher and degree apprenticeships from some of the UK's biggest and best employers, complete with roles, salaries, locations, application links and more gov.uk/government/publications/higher-and-degree-apprenticeship-vacancies

See also the Which Guide to higher and degree apprenticeships at resources.amazingapprenticeships.com

For young people and adult jobseekers

Look out for Leicester Employment Hub events. Follow us

or see our website leicesteremploymenthub.co.ukA handy guide for parents on apprenticeshipsresources.amazingapprenticeships.com

For parents

Apprenticeship support for employers and local grantsleicesteremploymenthub.co.uk/employers

For employers

For schools and colleges

We can offer the latest information on vacancies and how to apply, and can offer guaranteed interviews.employmenthub@leicester.gov.uk

Resources for lesson ideas, posters, films and live webinars resources.amazingapprenticeships.com

Free lesson plans to help to raise awareness of vocational offers. Search for World Skills Toolkit on worldskillsuk.org

Local labour market information. Search for 'labour market' on llep.org.uk

Get in touch with us for apprenticeship support for Year 11 students.

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Employment Hub Pre-Employment SupportDrop in to the Futures office at 80-82 Charles St, Leicester, Monday to Friday anytime between 9am-4pm

Get job ready with pre-employment support• talk to qualified advisers• find out about current vacancies• get help making applications to vacancies• get support with CVs, interview skills, careers advice and more!

Call 0116 454 5771 for more information

Jobseekers How can we help you?

SUPPORT FOR

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Hub100 guaranteed interviews• Sign up to our Hub100 to get access to over 100

of the latest apprenticeship vacancies• Through face-to-face contact with recruiters

you will increase your chances of being successful• We’ll support you every step of the way.

of those attending Hub100 move straight into an apprenticeship

30%

Visit: leicesteremploymenthub.co.uk/hub100

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