Get paid while being a university part-timer by opting for a degree apprenticeship

GETTING a degree need not mean spending tens of thousands of pounds on university tuition fees and living costs.

More and more young people are opting for degree apprenticeships, where they study part-time at university over three to six years while also in a salaried job and gaining work experience.

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Level 6 courses lead to a bachelor’s degree and Level 7 to a master’s, and you can save up to £80,000 on tuition and living costs compared to full-time university.

It’s National Apprenticeship Week and latest government figures show a fifth of all traineeship starts are now at Level 6 or 7.

To help you consider this route, we got ex-apprentice Paul Eagland, who is now a managing partner at accountancy firm BDO, to bust five common myths, then we suggest some possible placements . . . 

1. Degree apprenticeships are not available in professional industries such as accountancy: While some jobs still require a university degree, many including accountancy and law now offer degree apprenticeships. You can also take apprenticeships equivalent to GCSEs, A-levels or foundation degrees.
2. Apprenticeships are for the less academic: Our apprentices do the same training and learn the same skills as our graduate trainees. If you like to learn from more experienced colleagues, as well as study, an apprenticeship is a good option.
3. They don’t give you the same opportunities to progress as a university degree: In accountancy, school-leaver apprentices qualify a year sooner than if they had gone to university. And many business leaders are former apprentices themselves so it certainly isn’t a barrier to potential career progression.
4. Apprentices get all the most boring tasks: Apprenticeships are designed to help those taking part learn the most practical and technical knowledge possible.
5. Apprentices must study outside working hours, so it is more time-consuming than university: Yes, an apprenticeship does require balancing a full-time job with study, so you need the ability to juggle and prioritise.

So if you are interested, here are openings in finance and law . . . 

Paul’s firm, BDO, is offering 148 apprenticeships from September.

See careers.bdo.co.uk/school-leavers.

Audit and tax specialist Deloitte is hiring 300 apprentices across technology, legal, cyber, audit and tax.

Search at bit.ly/3XwmgCB.

Insurer Zurich has 100 roles across 12 different business areas including data science, operations and IT, finance and claims.

See zurich.co.uk/careers/apprenticeships.

RSA Insurance is offering 23 apprenticeships.

Apply by March 10 at www.rsainsurance.co.uk/careers/early-careers/apprenticeships.

Law firm Irwin Mitchell is offering 19 apprenticeships including solicitor and paralegal ones.

See irwinmitchell.com/recruitment/apprenticeships.

Blacks Solicitors in Leeds has a Level 7 solicitor apprenticeship vacancy.

For details, email [email protected].

There are also openings with Co-Op Legal Services.

See jobs.coop.co.uk/early-careers.

Zoe Stevens, 19, of Stratford-upon-Avon, who is a Level 7 solicitor apprentice there, says: “On-the-job learning, a qualification at the end, plus earning a salary without incurring the costs of a full-time university — it offers everything I wanted.”

TRAINING for a new career is child’s play, with more than 1,200 nursery apprenticeships on offer across the UK.

Busy Bees is taking on 700 apprentices for a Level 3 qualification in childcare and education.

Benefits include enhanced family leave and discounted childcare for your own children.

See busybeestraining.co.uk/apprenticeships or pick up a pack at your local nursery.

How to ge up ladder

ONCE you’ve been hired as an apprentice, what’s the best way to impress your employer and climb the career ladder?

Prof Ian Green of the North East Apprenticeship Ambassador Network, shares his expert advice.

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1. Be proactive. Ask for additional responsibilities or projects that will challenge you and help you develop.
2. Get to know your colleagues and supervisors and build relationships. Attend company events and take advantage of any mentoring or coaching opportunities that might arise.
3. Show that you are reliable and willing to work with others. This will help you build credibility and may lead to opportunities within the firm.
4. Learn as much as you can. Take advantage of any training and read industry publications. Welcome feedback and act on it.
5. Be punctual and reliable. Show up on time and meet deadlines. Your employer will look at you as a trustworthy responsible worker.
6. Stay motivated. A positive attitude can help you overcome challenges.
7. Show your ambition. Keep your long-term career goals in mind and use your apprenticeship as a stepping stone to achieving them.

BRIGHT HORIZONS is seeking 500 apprentices, including Level 2 early years practitioner or Level 3 early years educator roles.

To apply for a role, go to bit.ly/3Xdeey5.

GET your career on the right track.

Train manufacturer Alstom is recruiting 65 apprentices from Level 2 engineering technicians to Level 6 product delivery, supply chain, project management and commercial roles.

Applications must be received by March 8 at alstom.com/careers.

Rail firm Govia Thameslink is training 220 new apprentices, including customer service and engineering.

To get on board to start your career, go to bit.ly/3HEm3qI.

This post first appeared on thesun.co.uk