Apprenticeships

1. You'll get paid to study! The minimum wage in the first year of an apprenticeship is £3.90, it then rises to £4.35 for Under 18s, £6.15 for 18-20 year olds and £7.70 for ages 21 and over.

For Example: If John is 17 years old and working 30 hours on the first year of his Digital Marketing Apprenticeship, he could earn around £500 per month while also gaining his Level 3 qualification. 

2. Work Experience You’ll gain hands-on experience which will help you stand out on your CV as well as giving you an opportunity to build on your network of contacts.

3. Get Qualified You can't underestimate the importance of getting qualified after leaving school. With an apprenticeship, you'll earn money like you would in a job, but you'll also gain sought-after qualifications that can give you the employment edge for the rest of your life. 

4. Avoid Student Debt You can study an apprenticeship all the way up to Level 6 at no cost to yourself. That means you can gain a Foundation Degree or Bachelors Degree for free. As you earn alongside your studies there's no real need to take out a student loan for fees or maintenance if you don't want to.

5. Super-Speed Your Career As you'll have been working for longer, you're likely to have the edge over your competition when it comes to experience. The DfE cites that 7 in 10 apprenticeships are offered permanant jobs with their employers.