As students are enjoying their summer break and waiting for GCSE results day – which is looming ever so quickly – it is time to start thinking about what to do once you have received those all important results.
Whilst some students have already planned their next step, there will be others who still aren’t sure what to do next and they should consider apprenticeships as a great alternative to further study in school or college.
As you will no doubt be aware, young people have to stay in education until the age of eighteen. However this does not mean staying in school. Young people can decide to study at college or school, get a job/be self-employed or volunteer for 20 hours or more per week AND receive part-time education/training leading to a qualification, or they can choose to be an apprentice.
So what is involved in an apprenticeship? It is a nationally recognised package of qualifications covering practical job related learning, theory and understanding, and English and maths. Whilst many apprentices will study at college one day per week, others will receive on the job training towards their vocational qualification, English and maths. There are many benefits of doing an apprenticeship, including earning money and gaining a qualification at the same time as building up significant experience in the workplace, which puts them ahead of their peers, who have a qualification but little experience. Many employers are in need of skilled and qualified individuals with the aptitude to do their job, so an apprenticeships is an excellent alternative to staying on at school.
Wirral Met College works with a wide range of employers across various sectors and Magenta Living is just one of the many employers the college works with. Following apprentice success earlier this year, when Magenta Living Apprentice Electrician, Lisa Hilton, won a major award at the national Direct Works Forum awards ceremony, two further apprentices from Magenta Living have scooped top prizes at the Wirral Met’s recent Further Education Awards ceremony, held at the Floral Pavilion in New Brighton.
Jon Buttery and Murray Webb are both apprentices at Magenta Living, the largest social landlord on Wirral, and both were named Apprentice of the Year in their respective trades. Jon is just completing the 2nd year of his apprenticeship in Carpentry and Joinery, and Murray is approaching the end of his 1st year of training in Painting and Decorating.
Chris Boynton, Apprentice and Technical Training Manager at Magenta Living, said: “Naturally we are delighted that two of our apprentices should be selected for recognition at this annual and prestigious awards ceremony. These two honours for Jon and Murray, in addition to the recent success which was earned at a national level by Lisa Hilton in June 2016, means that Magenta Living apprentices have scooped a hat-trick of awards in a month. This is a fantastic achievement, and is also a fitting testament to all of the hard work and commitment which has been invested into apprenticeships at Magenta Living, and the support given by our training providers at Wirral Metropolitan College.”
For more information on apprenticeships click here or call our Student Advisers on 0151 551 7777. They are also available to see at drop in sessions at our Conway Park Campus, Monday-Friday, 10am-4pm.
