Alternatives to going Alternatives to going to university straight to university straight awayaway

Rebecca Ruddick – Curriculum Rebecca Ruddick – Curriculum advisoradvisor

Michelle van den Berg – Michelle van den Berg – Curriculum advisorCurriculum advisor

Reasons for not Reasons for not applying to universityapplying to universityThis year approximately 80 students decided This year approximately 80 students decided

not to apply for university for the following not to apply for university for the following reasons:reasons:

Undecided & need some time to thinkUndecided & need some time to think FinanceFinance Applying with actual A2 resultsApplying with actual A2 results Continuing in further education or obtaining a specific Continuing in further education or obtaining a specific

skillskill Taking an organised gap year, travel, volunteering, Taking an organised gap year, travel, volunteering,

employment placementemployment placement Historically only a small number in any year group Historically only a small number in any year group

have decided to start their careers immediately, have decided to start their careers immediately, however this is growinghowever this is growing

Eventually 85% go to universityEventually 85% go to university

Advice to studentsAdvice to students

Keep as many options open as Keep as many options open as possiblepossible

Be proactive about finding Be proactive about finding alternatives to full-time HEalternatives to full-time HE

Keep an application on file & Keep an application on file & generate a referencegenerate a reference

How support is How support is targeted in year 13targeted in year 13 ‘‘Next Step Day’ – 10Next Step Day’ – 10thth June June ‘‘Progression Days’ Progression Days’ Autumn term predominantly taken Autumn term predominantly taken

up with UCASup with UCAS ‘‘Opportunity Ready Conference’ Opportunity Ready Conference’

MarchMarch Sixth form bulletinSixth form bulletin Curriculum & Careers advisersCurriculum & Careers advisers

Challenges with an Challenges with an ‘alternative route’‘alternative route’ Need for bravery but potential for Need for bravery but potential for

great rewardsgreat rewards Different timescalesDifferent timescales Different sources of informationDifferent sources of information Different application processesDifferent application processes No crystal ballNo crystal ball

Benefits to an Benefits to an alternative routealternative route Drop out rate from universityDrop out rate from university If go later more likely to be successfulIf go later more likely to be successful Fantastic range of options, can result Fantastic range of options, can result

in more financial independence & not in more financial independence & not committed to tuition fees at 18committed to tuition fees at 18

Able to explore interests, use work Able to explore interests, use work experience or paid work to rule types experience or paid work to rule types of careers in or out of careers in or out

Examples of optionsExamples of options

Apprenticeships (Advanced)Apprenticeships (Advanced) Management training schemesManagement training schemes Work based learning with funded part-Work based learning with funded part-

time degrees/ sponsored degreestime degrees/ sponsored degrees Foundation degreesFoundation degrees Gap Year projects / volunteeringGap Year projects / volunteering Year in Industry (YINI)Year in Industry (YINI) Working to save for university laterWorking to save for university later

ApprenticeshipsApprenticeships

Paid employees who earn a wage and work alongside experienced staff to gain job-specific skills, while training to work towards qualifications

62% of apprentices end up working for the employer who provides their apprenticeship

Weekly wage for apprentices ranges from £95 - £300

The service sector now the largest provider of apprenticeships

In this region apprenticeships have increased by 50% since 209/10

Levels of apprenticeship

What to look out forWhat to look out for

Monumental Training are the Monumental Training are the employer & training provideremployer & training provider

£81 per week£81 per week Fashion apprenticeship designing Fashion apprenticeship designing

your own fashion rangeyour own fashion range

What to look out forWhat to look out for

Baskeys NE LtdBaskeys NE Ltd NewcastleNewcastle Sales negotiator (property)Sales negotiator (property) £150 per week (40 hours) for 24 £150 per week (40 hours) for 24

monthsmonths Driving licence requiredDriving licence required L2 customer serviceL2 customer service

Starting a careerStarting a career

Newcastle UniversityNewcastle University Marine Science TechnicianMarine Science Technician £233 per week for 30 months£233 per week for 30 months Setting up experiments, aquarium Setting up experiments, aquarium

maintenance, keeping equipment maintenance, keeping equipment up to date, animal husbandryup to date, animal husbandry

L3 NVQ lab technician – day L3 NVQ lab technician – day release for theoryrelease for theory

Starting a careerStarting a career

RIBA Enterprises LtdRIBA Enterprises Ltd Software test analystSoftware test analyst NewcastleNewcastle £115 per week (35 hrs)£115 per week (35 hrs) L2 IT professionalL2 IT professional

Starting a careerStarting a career

SGP Consulting LtdSGP Consulting Ltd Marketing apprenticeshipMarketing apprenticeship NewcastleNewcastle £110 per week (40 hrs) for 12 £110 per week (40 hrs) for 12

monthsmonths L3 Extended Diploma in Creative L3 Extended Diploma in Creative

& Digital Media& Digital Media

Starting a careerStarting a career

AtosAtos IT software & web developmentIT software & web development Based in DurhamBased in Durham £14,000 per year£14,000 per year Not clear on the training provided Not clear on the training provided

but higher level so should be L3 but higher level so should be L3 or L4or L4

Starting a careerStarting a career

Benfield NissanBenfield Nissan Trainee Service TechnicianTrainee Service Technician NVQ L3 technical certificateNVQ L3 technical certificate £120 per week (40 hrs) for 3 £120 per week (40 hrs) for 3

yearsyears Block release training at Nissan Block release training at Nissan

Training Centre in DoncasterTraining Centre in Doncaster

Starting a careerStarting a career

Geneius Labaratories LtdGeneius Labaratories Ltd Leading team of microbiologists Leading team of microbiologists

from Newcastle University who from Newcastle University who are developing leading advanced are developing leading advanced DNA technologyDNA technology

Lab technician, CramlingtonLab technician, Cramlington £140 per week for 30 months£140 per week for 30 months NVQ level 3NVQ level 3

Starting a careerStarting a career Baker TillyBaker Tilly Audit ApprenticeshipAudit Apprenticeship NewcastleNewcastle £192 per week (37.5 hrs) for 24 £192 per week (37.5 hrs) for 24

monthsmonths Need 280 UCAS ptsNeed 280 UCAS pts Certificate in Accountancy Finance Certificate in Accountancy Finance

& Business at level 4 (online or in & Business at level 4 (online or in Manchester)Manchester)

Starting a careerStarting a career

Siemens Power Transmission & Distribution in Siemens Power Transmission & Distribution in HebburnHebburn

Advanced apprenticeship - working towards Advanced apprenticeship - working towards BTEC National Diploma in Engineering. Either BTEC National Diploma in Engineering. Either workshop based (Craft) or office based workshop based (Craft) or office based (Technical)(Technical)

£174.46 per week£174.46 per week Learn and develop a broad mix of mechanical Learn and develop a broad mix of mechanical

and electrical skills with technical and power and electrical skills with technical and power engineering related competencies to work in a engineering related competencies to work in a variety of locations and environmentsvariety of locations and environments

Need GCSEs in Maths, English Language and Need GCSEs in Maths, English Language and ScienceScience

Starting a careerStarting a career

British Gas (2013)British Gas (2013) Service technicianService technician Level 3 diploma plus Gold Dof E awardLevel 3 diploma plus Gold Dof E award Starting salary £10,000Starting salary £10,000 Training in a British Gas academy as Training in a British Gas academy as

well as on the jobwell as on the job Min 4 GSCEs including English, maths, Min 4 GSCEs including English, maths,

science plus a technology & a full science plus a technology & a full driving licencedriving licence

Starting a careerStarting a career

NHS Pre-registration trainee pharmacy NHS Pre-registration trainee pharmacy techniciantechnician

Working at one of several hospitals in the Working at one of several hospitals in the North East.North East.

Working towards NVQ Lv3 in Pharmacy Working towards NVQ Lv3 in Pharmacy Service Skills and BTEC Lv3 Diploma in Service Skills and BTEC Lv3 Diploma in Pharmaceutical Science.Pharmaceutical Science.

£275 per week for 2 years£275 per week for 2 years Accurately dispense prescriptions and ward Accurately dispense prescriptions and ward

orders, advise patients, receive payments, orders, advise patients, receive payments, preparation of IVs and medicines.preparation of IVs and medicines.

Need min. 4 GCSEs including Science, Maths Need min. 4 GCSEs including Science, Maths and English.and English.

To gain experienceTo gain experience

Twisting Ducks Theatre CompanyTwisting Ducks Theatre Company Project Support WorkerProject Support Worker NewcastleNewcastle Working with people with learning Working with people with learning

disabilities to participate in film, disabilities to participate in film, music & performing artsmusic & performing arts

£88 per week (32.5 hrs) for 1 year£88 per week (32.5 hrs) for 1 year Training at Sage Gateshead – NVQ in Training at Sage Gateshead – NVQ in

supporting live eventssupporting live events

To gain experience – To gain experience – HR & lawHR & law Parkdean Holidays – HR apprenticeship Parkdean Holidays – HR apprenticeship

(£179 per week for 1 year)(£179 per week for 1 year) Piramal Healthcare – HR apprenticeship Piramal Healthcare – HR apprenticeship

(£200 per week for 1 year)(£200 per week for 1 year) Iris Law – Gateshead – business admin Iris Law – Gateshead – business admin

apprenticeship (£95 per week for 1 year)apprenticeship (£95 per week for 1 year) David Gray Solicitors – Newcastle – David Gray Solicitors – Newcastle –

business admin apprenticeship (£101 business admin apprenticeship (£101 per week for 1 year)per week for 1 year)

To gain experience – To gain experience – H&SCH&SC St Anthony of Padua day care centre – St Anthony of Padua day care centre –

care assistantcare assistant Impact Family Services (Cascass) – Impact Family Services (Cascass) –

business admin apprenticeshipbusiness admin apprenticeship The Fostering Company NE – business The Fostering Company NE – business

admin apprenticeshipadmin apprenticeship YMCA – Youth & community arts workerYMCA – Youth & community arts worker Northumbria University – childcare Northumbria University – childcare

apprenticeshipapprenticeship

School Leaver School Leaver SchemesSchemes Ernst & Young – 4 different accountancy schemes

from school leavers to sponsored degrees Tesco – Commercial Development Programme

(merchandising and buying) 2 year programme Aldi – Apprenticeship retail management scheme – Aldi – Apprenticeship retail management scheme –

initially 1 year leading to a further 2 year initially 1 year leading to a further 2 year management scheme. Based in Hexham. £159 per management scheme. Based in Hexham. £159 per week (30 hrs).week (30 hrs).

Shroders – paid year long placements in the Shroders – paid year long placements in the financial services industryfinancial services industry

Trafigura – a year’s paid placement in Geneva or Trafigura – a year’s paid placement in Geneva or Houston, including accommodation learning to be a Houston, including accommodation learning to be a commodity trainercommodity trainer

Sponsored degreesSponsored degrees

Willis – 5 year programme studying for Willis – 5 year programme studying for professional qualification(CII) – paid work professional qualification(CII) – paid work experience and professional training. Based in experience and professional training. Based in Glasgow or Birmingham. Glasgow or Birmingham.

Barratt Homes – Residential & Construction Barratt Homes – Residential & Construction Foundation Degree Programme – up to £24,000 Foundation Degree Programme – up to £24,000 salary and sponsorship of a foundation degree. salary and sponsorship of a foundation degree. Nationwide opportunities.Nationwide opportunities.

CGI – sponsored degree in Business CGI – sponsored degree in Business Management for IT at University of Winchester & Management for IT at University of Winchester & starting salary of £13,000. Based in Reading or starting salary of £13,000. Based in Reading or LeatherheadLeatherhead

PwC – Flying Start Degree Programme – 4 year PwC – Flying Start Degree Programme – 4 year programme with paid placements at PWC and a programme with paid placements at PWC and a sponsored accountancy degree at Newcastle sponsored accountancy degree at Newcastle UniversityUniversity

Sponsored DegreesSponsored Degrees

National Grid – Power System Planning – National Grid – Power System Planning – Engineering Training Programme – 2 year Engineering Training Programme – 2 year programme with work experience and sponsored programme with work experience and sponsored foundation degree. Starting salary £23,500. foundation degree. Starting salary £23,500. Nationwide.Nationwide.

Morrisons’ fully sponsored degree programme – Morrisons’ fully sponsored degree programme – earn & study for a BA business management earn & study for a BA business management coursecourse

Engineering Officer Cadetships – sponsored HNC Engineering Officer Cadetships – sponsored HNC HND programme – 30 companies recruit trainee HND programme – 30 companies recruit trainee deck, engineer & ETO officers through this schemedeck, engineer & ETO officers through this scheme

Capgemini – Initial 2 year Level 4 Diploma in IT Capgemini – Initial 2 year Level 4 Diploma in IT (software engineering) & then the opportunity for (software engineering) & then the opportunity for a sponsored degree taking you up to 5 years. a sponsored degree taking you up to 5 years. £16,000. Newcastle.£16,000. Newcastle.

Year In IndustryYear In Industry

High-quality, paid placements for students in their High-quality, paid placements for students in their gap year before or during their degree coursegap year before or during their degree course

In engineering, science, IT, e-commerce, business, In engineering, science, IT, e-commerce, business, marketing, finance and logistics.marketing, finance and logistics.

Current vacancies include: Statistical Modelling in Current vacancies include: Statistical Modelling in Manchester, Student Design Engineer in Blyth, Manchester, Student Design Engineer in Blyth, Manufacturing based role in Newcastle & Manufacturing based role in Newcastle & Design/Draughting in an engineering company in Design/Draughting in an engineering company in Stockton.Stockton.

All the above placements have a salary of at least All the above placements have a salary of at least £12,000. £12,000.

http://www.yini.org.uk/

Year Out GroupYear Out Group

Year Out Group provides a total reference for Year Out Group provides a total reference for all you need to plan your gap year. all you need to plan your gap year.

Includes 40 gap year organisations that Includes 40 gap year organisations that provide a wide range of gap year programs in provide a wide range of gap year programs in over 90 countries. over 90 countries.

Organisations include: Projects Abroad, Art Organisations include: Projects Abroad, Art History Abroad, Sportventurer, Worldwide History Abroad, Sportventurer, Worldwide Experience, Lattitude Global Volunteering, Experience, Lattitude Global Volunteering, Raleigh, BUNAC, Camp America, Peak Leaders, Raleigh, BUNAC, Camp America, Peak Leaders, African Conservation Experience, Gap Year African Conservation Experience, Gap Year Diver, Outreach International, Real Gap Diver, Outreach International, Real Gap Experience, Project Trust, Year Out Drama, Experience, Project Trust, Year Out Drama, Aventure Aventure

http://www.yearoutgroup.org/

Project TrustProject Trust

TeachingTeaching CareCare Conservation & Conservation &

EnvironmentEnvironment Culture & Culture &

CommunityCommunity SportsSports Medicine & Medicine &

HealthcareHealthcare

JournalismJournalism BusinessBusiness

Law & Human Law & Human RightsRights

ArchaeologyArchaeology Veterinary CareVeterinary Care

Language Courses Language Courses

Placements in Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe, Latin America

Year Out DramaYear Out Drama

A year-long intensive A year-long intensive practical Drama course, practical Drama course, held in Stratford-on-Avon.held in Stratford-on-Avon.

Close contact with the RSC.Close contact with the RSC. Includes acting, directing, Includes acting, directing,

design, costume, design, costume, performance, voice, performance, voice, movement and text study.movement and text study.

www.yearoutdrama.co.uk

National Trust

Short breaks start from £85Short breaks start from £85

Archaeology Preserving coast or

countryside Construction of walls

and footpaths Helping out behind an

event

Farming Rural skills Carrying out surveys Your own special

interests such as photography or stone carving

Summary Summary

Our aim is to encourage students to investigate Our aim is to encourage students to investigate their options to make sure they make an their options to make sure they make an informed decision which will suit them at this informed decision which will suit them at this stage in their life:stage in their life:

Sixth form bulletinSixth form bulletin Open daysOpen days University websites & Unistats websiteUniversity websites & Unistats website YINI applicationYINI application Apprenticeship websiteApprenticeship website Notgoingtouni websiteNotgoingtouni website Targeting organisations they would like to work Targeting organisations they would like to work

for – checking their websites regularly for for – checking their websites regularly for management trainingmanagement training

How you can helpHow you can help

Make the most of the Next Step Make the most of the Next Step conference & Progression weekconference & Progression week

Make an appointment with one of us to Make an appointment with one of us to explore career options further if after explore career options further if after progression week they do not feel any progression week they do not feel any clearerclearer

Use the Sixth form bulletin to prompt Use the Sixth form bulletin to prompt your son/daughter into being proactiveyour son/daughter into being proactive

Reassure them that students are often Reassure them that students are often undecided – they are not the only oneundecided – they are not the only one