Why chose an apprenticeship?
Apprenticeships are great because you can earn while you learn. Economic factors and the rise in university tuition fees may seem scary to some, so being able to earn some money as well as gain an education is an amazing draw. As an apprentice you will earn a minimum of £4.30 per hour increasing over your studies and this leads to the next benefit. Almost 9 out of 10 apprentices remain in employment, 71% of apprentices remain in the company they work for once they qualify. Due to being trained and gaining hands on experiences you become a great candidate for many employers. If you feel like you are someone that learns more by ‘doing’ and being more hands on, then this could be the best option for you.
What you need to get into an apprenticeship
When thinking about an apprenticeship it is not something you can fall back into, they are great options for people looking to retrain. They are tailored to those that are more vocational in learning style but, you do still need to ensure you get good grades in your STEM subjects. There are exceptions to this and if you are slightly missing a grade/qualification there are opportunities to retake them whilst you are studying in your apprenticeships. This is something to talk about with your training provider. The GCSEs for most apprenticeships will be grades 5-9 in English, Maths and Science. You will then need to think about other subjects like Engineering, Technology and Geography that might be more specific to a role. To find out about the different role available visit Engineering – Careers in Aerospace
How to find an apprenticeship?
When looking for an apprenticeship there are many ways to go about finding them. Here is a list of some of the ways you could try.
- Attend careers fairs – these can be set up by your school, organisations like the Royal Aeronautical Society or by large employers. This is enables you to network and talk to people that may have opportunities for you and to also find companies that you may not have heard of before. It is important when attending these you dress appropriately and behave in a respectable manor as you may potentially be in front of your future employers, and you need to leave a good impression.
- Online- there are many ways to do this, and it can be a minefield. We suggest searching employers you know about, then use the government website ( Apprenticeships) and our Directory – Careers in Aerospace has many employers listed that you could also contact.
Another way to look online is to use places like LinkedIn and Facebook to search for employers in your desired area and make connections with those you are interested in. This is known as online networking, but ensure you are using professional platforms only.
- Research local employers- find out any relevant businesses near you and email, call or even pop in for a chat. If you are not at the age to start an apprenticeship, you can always ask if they do work experience. Showing that you are willing to learn, and work will be a good way to stick in their mind. Even if they don’t have work experience when it comes to apply for a job, they might just remember you. Also, if they are willing to engage in conversation with you it’s worth asking them what they are looking for in a future employee that way you will know what to aim for.
Help with applications.
Here at the RAeS we want to help you as much as we can, we have set up the careers resources to help you with each step of applying for a job. Sometimes you will have to apply via an online application you can find help with this here: Online application forms – Careers in Aerospace. If you need help writing your first CV, we can also assist with this too. Here are some top tips to remember when applying for an apprenticeship.
- Research the Company as well as the role. This way you can be sure about what they are looking for and tailor your CV and cover letter towards the role and what they might be looking out for.
- Even if you have not had a Job before and work experience or clubs you might join could be linked. I.e., being part of a sports team could show teamwork and communication skills.
- Try to be brief in you CV descriptions. A CV should only be 2 pages long and Employers can on average only spend 8-10 seconds scanning over it. Short sentences packed with impact are essential.
- Do not lie on your CV you will get caught out. Some jobs may ask for your certificates to prove certain grades or they may ask you a relevant question in interview. It is always best to be honest but show you are willing to learn.
For all this career’s information and guidance and more simply visit Career Resources – Careers in Aerospace and take advantage of out FREE resources.
