What apprenticeship can I do after my A-Levels?
You don’t have to go to university after you have taken your A-Levels. If you want to get started in a career immediately, earn a salary and gain a nationally recognised qualification at the same time, why not start an apprenticeship?
Advanced apprenticeships
In Wales the equivalent apprenticeship types is known as the Apprenticeship level.
With A-Levels under your belt, you will already have the entry requirements for an Advanced apprenticeship (usually employers will only ask for five GCSEs at grades 9 to 4/A* to C). Advanced apprenticeships are a great way to gain practical, work-based skills and experience in a particular job and sector. There are more than you think too – increasingly in sectors like finance, accounting and IT as well as more traditional trades.
You will balance your work with study time. Your employer may organise this as one day a week, or setting the study periods into blocks. You will complete your apprenticeship within 2-4 years. The qualification is equivalent to a Level 3 NVQ.
Higher apprenticeships
You could bypass an Advanced apprenticeship and go straight to a Higher apprenticeship. These may feel academically like the right next step after A-Levels, because they are an NVQ Level 4 qualification. Employers usually ask for A-Levels as an entry requirement, and may specify a relevant subject.
A Higher Apprenticeship can take up to five years to complete. Many higher apprenticeships have a permanent job waiting at the end. If the company doesn’t employ you after the apprenticeship, or you choose to look elsewhere, you will still be a highly employable candidate.
The qualification you achieve could be a Higher National Diploma or foundation degree.
Degree apprenticeships
Are these the holy grail of apprenticeships?
With a degree apprenticeship you get paid to study at a university, while working for your employer. No debts either!
There is no reason why you can’t apply for a degree apprenticeship straight after taking your A-Levels. However, these are Level 6 apprenticeships, and there are not many of them around. The application process is highly competitive, and will almost certainly ask for relevant experience in your chosen industry. Degree apprenticeships are more typically aimed at existing employees with a significant amount of work experience. Your employer must be willing to invest in you, as degree apprenticeships are expensive.
Degree apprenticeships take 3-6 years to complete.
What if I fail my A-Levels?
Don’t be too disappointed if you don’t get the grades you wanted in your A-Levels. You can still apply for an Advanced apprenticeship, as employers usually only ask for five GCSEs. Or you could consider retaking your A-Levels and reapplying for a Higher apprenticeship.
How do you apply for an apprenticeship?
There are lots of ways to search and apply for apprenticeships. You could look on websites like Talentview, TotalJobs, Indeed or the government’s apprenticeship service. You will be able to apply for apprenticeships by uploading your CV or applying directly to the employer.
Top Tip > on Talentview, if you type “Advanced apprenticeship” or “Higher apprenticeship” (make sure to include the double quotes) in the Keyword search bar you will only see results for advanced or higher apprenticeships.
Begin an apprenticeship in construction
Have you thought about a construction apprenticeship after A-Levels? They are a great way to get into the industry. We have all the information here for you to make a start, including guides to over 170 different job roles. These will help you find the type of roles that suit who you are, the skills you have and the skills you want to acquire.