How to get a result after your exams
Uni, apprenticeship or just get a job? ... here's our complete guide to what to do now
ARE you on the A-list? Today is A-level results day where more than 300,000 youngsters find out the exam results that shape their future careers.
If you’ve made the grade, there are more options than ever before to ensure you’ll get a job. And if you haven’t done as well as you hoped, don’t panic as there are still plenty of ways to get your feet firmly on the career ladder.
But before you make your choice, a new study from GetMyFirstJob has found 98 per cent of students don’t feel their school or college has adequately prepared them for making choices about work.
So today Sunemployment has covered the six main options available to A-Level leavers, plus highlighted jobs you can apply for today with some of the country’s top employers.
1) TRADITIONAL DEGREES
Conventional degrees usually take three to four years to study at University. There are over 37,000 degree courses on offer at over 395 providers around the country or you can even apply to study abroad.
Course fees can be as high as £9,000 a year and you’ll need living expenses on top, meaning grads can leave up to £50,000 in debt.
2) SPONSORED / BURSARY DEGREES
Sponsored degrees are run in conjunction with employers and offer a high chance of landing employment, alongside a wallet-friendly bursary or paid internship as part of the course.
One of the most sought-after is the is the Bachelors degree in Food Engineering at Sheffield Hallam University run with the Food and Drink Federation and National Skills Academy for Food and Drink.
Students starting the course can receive a bursary of £2,500 plus paid work placement - equivalent to a salary of £17,000, - in one of 40 top food producers including Mars, Coca Cola and McCain.
6) PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS
If you have your heart set on a career but haven’t landed an apprenticeship yet, consider taking the vocational qualifications you need to get started. You study at college or through distance learning, with accountancy, tax and law all popular choices. The Association of Accounting Technicians says 3,500 school leavers started its course last year with one in 12 going on to become fully-fledged chartered accountants.
An AAT spokesman said: “There is a real lack of understanding when it comes to higher-level vocational education. At AAT our students go on to work for prestigious employers or even start their own businesses, and many qualify faster than those who follow the university route. Studying with AAT suits individuals who are hard-working, ambitious and who like to learn on the job.”
JOB SPOT: Estate agent CONNELLS is offering apprenticeships for trainee sales and lettings negotiators, with positions across the UK. Click .
'I'm lucky to say I've found a role I love'
BAE Systems is one of the UK’s biggest hirer of apprentices, with 690 starting this year alone. Richard Hamer, Education Director & Head of Early Career Programmes at BAE Systems, said: “Our apprentices have a fantastic track record of reaching the highest leadership positions at BAE Systems with the MD of our military aircraft business beginning his career as an apprentice. Apply .
100 Pizza Hut apprenticeships
GRAB a slice of the action at Pizza Hut. The restaurant chain has 100 apprenticeships places on offer for A-level leavers with qualications in Food Production and Cooking as well as Food and Beverage Service.
Kathryn Austin, Chief People and Marketing Officer at Pizza Hut Restaurants, said: “The great thing about our apprenticeship scheme is that it doesn’t just give people a fantastic skills base in the hospitality industry but it also gives young people skills for life.”
10,000 Greene King Apprenticeships
SAY cheers to a job with Greene King. The pub chain is taking on a whopping 10,000 apprentices over the next three years and has hundreds of vacancies for A-level trainees today.
Rooney Anand, chief executive of Greene King, said: “Our apprenticeship programme offers a range of career opportunities to people of all ages.
"For those collecting their A level results this week and not wanting to go to university, an apprenticeship is a great alternative. We are proud of our programme and believe it provides young people with a chance to progress.”