Education to employment: Apprenticeships are more diverse than you might think

Whether you’re a high school graduate or looking for a change later in life, research has shown that it’s “never too late” to embark on a new career. While internships and apprenticeships are widespread, AoC Jobs see a large number of people retraining with apprenticeships in FE.

Apprenticeships are more diverse that you might think, and opportunities in FE are bountiful: apprenticeship jobs in FE include not only customer and student services, but also business administration and learning technology and development. Training, assessment, induction and ‘on-the-job training’ prepare apprentices for thriving and successful careers. Soon, there’s even likely to be an entirely vocational pathway to teacher status.

Here’s a rundown of the varied apprenticeships available today, and how they can launch you on your desired career pathway.

Apprenticeships in business and administration

If you’re business minded or looking to advance to a career in management, apprenticeship roles in business and administration provide an interesting and varied opportunity to learn a wide range of related skills.

Any apprentice can develop excellent customer service skills, administrative and organisational skills and learn about how a high-quality service is provided within a busy college environment. Business development and administration teams have a wide range of responsibilities and can also provide opportunities for applicants particularly interested in data entry and analysis.

Apprentices in roles such as these work towards a Level 2 or 3 Diploma in Business Administration, but a whole range of alternative subjects in a relevant field can also be considered.

Apprenticeships in customer and reception services

For those who prefer social interaction to admin and paperwork, apprenticeships in customer service and apprentice receptionist roles can help you gain advanced people skills. It can be the ideal starting point for anyone looking to go into hospitality or people administration.

These roles include delivering a meet and greet service to all clients of the college in a customer- or student-facing role. Apprentices are also required to undertake a varied administrative role to support organisation and efficient running of Student Services.

Apprenticeships in customer and reception services usually lead to an Advanced, Level 3 Diploma in Customer Service. This consists of the Level 2 Diploma in Customer Service, Employment Rights and Responsibilities and can include Functional Skills in English and Maths.

Apprenticeships in social services and welfare

Apprenticeships in social services and welfare are broadly related to those within the healthcare and training professions. The skills obtained while working and studying in these positions are highly transferable to fields as diverse as counselling and teaching, to HR and social work.

Apprentices can expect to work within a college’s pastoral or student support unit to help those with a particular need; such as those who are disabled or require additional learning support, or in the delivery of general student support and careers advice.

Intermediate level apprenticeships can offer Level 2 diplomas in Health and Social Care roles such as mental health, outreach and re-enablement, while advanced apprentices can gain Level 3 qualifications in Social Work or even Level 5 Care Leadership and Management.

Apprenticeships IT and computing

Apprenticeships in IT and computing suit individuals with a passion for using technology and an interest in IT and computers. Digital skills are necessary for nearly all sectors these days, but can provide a particularly useful starting point for anyone looking to go into web and software development careers.

Apprentices can expect to gain some experience of basic web design and/or programming and/or app development. Apprentices in IT and computing can also be involved in supporting and training students and staff in the use of a range of learner resources.

Apprentices will gain additional skills in literacy and numeracy to work towards a Level 3 Diploma in ICT Professional Competence (PROCOM). This can lead to advanced qualifications in Computing, Network Engineering and Software Development up to Level 4. Apprentices can even progress to a Degree apprenticeship (Level 6 and 7), which can earn either a bachelor’s or master’s degree.