Students all across Norfolk will find out today their all-important ‘A’ level results and we are sure the students’ hard work will have paid off with excellent results. Many students will be looking at university options, but others will be considering the benefits of taking an apprenticeship.
Previously apprenticeships have been seen as the ‘poor relation’, however, more and more students and employers are seeing the advantages and benefits of apprenticeships.
The Government wants to create three million more apprenticeships over the next five years, which includes about 27,000 apprenticeships in the East of England. At present about 11% of Norfolk businesses employ an apprentice and this is set to increase. From August 2014 to January 2015, 3,640 new apprenticeships were started. This represents a 16.5% increase on the previous year’s figures.
Apprenticeships will not only give Norfolk’s young people the skills they need, but the experience and ‘on the job’ training. Apprenticeships also offer local employers the chance to mould their new recruits and effectively grow their own future workforce.
One of Norfolk Chamber of Commerce’s key campaigns is ‘Developing the Talent of our Young People’. We are working with our members, stakeholders and the British Chamber’s of Commerce (BCC) to bridge the gap between education and the world of work.
Caroline Williams, Chief Executive of Norfolk Chamber said:
“At Norfolk Chamber our apprentices form an integral part of our work force and are a valuable asset to our business. I would recommend all employers, both large and small, to find out more about apprenticeships and I would encourage those students who have received their ‘A’ Level results today to consider all options, including an apprenticeship.”
One of Chamber’s apprentices, studying for a Business Administration Apprenticeship at Level 2, is Darcy Bayfield. Below she outlines why she chose the apprenticeship route.
Darcy Bayfield – Business Administration Apprentice said:
“During the last year of my A-Levels, I had a very big decision to make – what am I going to do after I have completed my A-Levels? I had my sights set on going to University to study Accountancy and Finance. My sixth form gave me a lot of opportunities to attend various workshops and meet with business men and women. A lot of them told me that they went to university, but a few said they undertook an apprenticeship. I hadn’t even considered an apprenticeship, but wanted to know all my options, so I did some research.”
“The more I learnt about them, the more I liked the idea of becoming an apprentice. Not only do you benefit from not having a university debt, you also gain a better understanding of the company that you are working for. I liked the idea of essentially starting at the bottom and working my way up. You also gain experience in the workplace and you are given many opportunities to develop your skills.”
“I decided to select an apprenticeship in Business Administration. I achieved an ‘A’ in my Business Studies A-Level and I really wanted to put my knowledge to good use. “What I enjoy most about being an apprentice are the opportunities that you are given. Norfolk Chamber has given me numerous opportunities to develop my skills and to be trained up in other departments. I have been trained to do work in the Accounts department and also in the International Trade department. Every day has something different waiting for you, which is great. Upon completion of my apprenticeship I hope to have achieved a qualification that I can add to my CV. Plus, I also hope to have developed my own skills and to have built good working relationships with my colleagues.”
