This week sees thousands of 16 year old’s collecting their GCSE results across England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
On Thursday 25th August, teenagers will finally be able to see those long awaited results. Many will choose to go on to a Sixth Form College and take their A-Levels, but there has also been a rise of young people taking up an apprentice.
To coincide with the release of GCSE results, WeAreTheCity have interviewed Charlotte Smith, our Social Media and Marketing apprentice on her experiences, tips and advice.
Charlotte is currently working towards her Level 3 in Social Media and Marketing, having recently finished studying at the Sweyne Park School, Essex.
Why did you decide to enrol in an apprenticeship?
I really didn’t like Sixth Form and I didn’t feel like it was the right choice for me as I wanted to go straight into work. However, now by law, you have to be in education until you are 18, so I decided to search for an apprenticeship in a career I wanted to pursue in the future.
What skills has your apprenticeship taught you?
In my apprenticeship I have learnt numerous vital skills that I will put into practice throughout later life. I have experienced many amazing opportunities I would have never had received if I had not taken the apprenticeship role. These experiences include; going to events around the UK and London, being able to publish information on websites, contacting and emailing important business women, developing my Excel skills, achieving a pass in an IT Functional Skills Exam. A qualification in Social Media and Marketing will help me develop and grow in my career.
What are the advantages of an apprenticeship?
The advantages of an apprenticeship is that not only do you learn new things and achieve a qualification at the end of it, you also experience the “world of work”, which will prepare you for what is to come in later life. Also, if you are a person who likes to be hands on and learn new skills, rather than being taught in a classroom, then an apprenticeship is perfect for you.
What tips/ advice would you give someone looking to do an apprenticeship?
My advice to someone looking to become an apprentice is do not worry about not having A-Levels. This was my biggest concern when deciding whether to leave the Sixth Form. Now that everyone has to stay in education until they are 18, so many more people are doing A-Levels and it is not looking as unique as it once was. Experience is becoming more and more valued when companies are recruiting for new and young members of staff.
My main advice would be go for it and if it doesn’t work out you can always go back to A-Levels, but you might never get an apprenticeship opportunity like the one you have been offered again – so grab it with both hands and enjoy it!
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