Past pupils return to talk about apprenticeship experiences

Photographs by Karyn Feingold

SIXTH formers gained fascinating insights into the benefits of embarking on apprenticeships during an informative afternoon enrichment session at RGS.

Following a talk by the North Yorkshire Business and Enterprise Partnership, past pupils expanded on their experiences of high-level apprenticeships.

They included Oliver Tann (below), who is undertaking a civil engineering degree apprenticeship with WSP engineering consultancy having left RGS in 2022, following A-levels in maths, physics and chemistry.

He offered students some key advice: “When applying for an apprenticeship, there are two main things I’d consider. Firstly, know who you are working for. Do lots of research about the company you are applying for. You will be working there for the next three to five years. If you know a lot about the company itself, it will help you tenfold during the interviews.

“Secondly, consider your job description. Do you like what you’d be doing day-to-day? Can you imagine a career based on what you’d be doing, and how would you develop your career from starting?”

James Walker (pictured third from bottom), who left RGS in 2015 after taking A-levels in maths, physics and French, ended up on an apprenticeship with JCB construction equipment manufacturer, but didn't get a place initially.

He explained: "I didn't get the grades required for my JCB apprenticeship, so had an unplanned gap year working a ski season in France. That summer I retook some exams and got the apprenticeship I wanted. With hindsight, I'm glad I 'failed' my A-level exams, as it gave me the chance of a gap year I wouldn't have otherwise taken.

His advice to A-Level students today is: "If you're going down the apprenticeship route, if possible take some time out to do something, or see some of the world. It's very difficult to take significant time out of work once you become fully independent and have your own bills to pay and a career to think about!

"Although apprenticeships offer many benefits (experience, pay, debt free education to name the obvious ones), my warning is this: it is not the easy option, you will need to spend more time working than your friends at university, but you will reap the long term rewards. I started at JCB in 2016 and am still here nearly eight years later."

Emily Leslie (top), who left RGS in 2018 having studied history, English literature and classics, took up a human resources apprenticeship with Grantley Hall luxury five-star hotel and spa, with the potential to take a degree course, all fully funded by the company.

“I had never even considered an apprenticeship when I was in school, but the minute I attended the interview at Grantley Hall I knew it was the right step for me. HR had many aspects that appealed to my personality and skillset, being centred on people and working closely with the legalities of employment.

“Everything I have been able to do since starting my apprenticeship back in 2019 has been incredible, from all the qualifications I have received to all the incredible events I have been able to attend to expand my learnings as well as my professional network. I have learnt more core skills about the world of HR from experiencing it and putting my knowledge into practice than I ever could simply from researching the information.

“Personally, I was always more suited to a working environment. I am very self-motivated in my role and always strive to be better and take on more, and through my apprenticeship, I was given the respect and opportunity to do so. Being able to do qualifications alongside my role, whilst time consuming and stressful, made the actual content of the course so much easier as I was already doing most of the things in my every working day that I was learning about.

“It was so interesting speaking to students, as it was great to see how many of them had a genuine interest in apprenticeship opportunities. They were interested in my career journey, as well as the steps I had taken whilst at school that lead me to my current career path.

“As I said to the students, there is no set correct route to take. I have always been a practical learner and a working degree suited me so much better, but I have many friends who excelled through the university route.

“For those looking at doing degrees after their A-levels, my top tips would be to go into it with an open mind and a willingness to learn new skills. There are some incredible opportunities out there and companies that are willing to invest in people.

“Do your research! Make sure the opportunities you are going for are well-suited to you and meet your personal goals, this is the starting point of your career, and you don’t want to be tied into something you don’t enjoy.”

In addition, current students who have been offered apprenticeships which they will take up after A-levels gave the benefit of their advice.

They included Polina Whitehead, who will undertake professional training in the financial services industry with Ernst and Young.

She said: “I advised students interested in working for the ‘Big Four’ - EY, Deloitte, PwC and KPMG - to apply for their work experience programmes in order to gain early access to apprenticeship applications as I did with Ernst and Young.

“The companies ask pupils to apply for apprenticeships during the work experience programmes and they may even be offered positions after a partner interview before applications open to anyone else.”

Rachael Medley, NYBEP enterprise coordinator, said: "Apprenticeships today are rapidly evolving and representing the exciting work opportunities available. With study options available up to degree and master's level, you could work a real job and earn a wage without the tuition fees.

"Apprenticeships are available to anyone over the age of 16 but they are not a guaranteed option, so you need to put some thought into the application. From barber to commercial airline pilot, architect to paramedic, it's a route that's worth investigating. 

"For any student thinking of taking this option, I would advise to create an account onhttps://www.gov.uk/apply-apprenticeshipto set up a job alert for vacancies that interest you."

Deputy head of sixth form Lee Lyons, who runs the RGS enrichment programme, which offers presentations and workshops on a wide range of topics aimed at benefiting students’ personal development, said: "It's a real pleasure to see how well Emily, James and Oliver are doing following their apprenticeships. We are really keen to give our students the opportunity to see all paths available to them after school to allow them to choose the right option for them and the career they wish to follow."

Polina and Coral, above