Apprenticeship regrets

And has anyone done an apprenticeship but found that it hampered their chances of university? (Sorry if this in the wrong section)

Reply 2

Bittah Demon

3

Why would it stop you going to university? If you've attained relevant qualifications at a sufficient level, then how can it stop you?

Reply 3

OP

Original post by Donkey******

Why would it stop you going to university? If you've attained relevant qualifications at a sufficient level, then how can it stop you?

I don't know really, maybe if some of the unis want additional A-levels or anything like that

Reply 4

Me!!

I didn't like the college I went to so I went back to sixth form at my school. But then realised in the December that it was A-levels that I didn't like and because I'd obviously missed college intake the only way to get out of it was an apprenticeship.

I took an apprenticeship in financial admin this January and I hated every minute of it. As soon as I started I planned in leaving so I started applying to colleges again to do BTEC Civil engineering and A-level maths (I've got in for this September, thank God). But I couldn't quit straight away A, because I needed the money I was earning at the time and B, you obviously have to be in education until your 18. So, after 7 painful months I quit at the end of June! Yay. Never ever again.

Reply 5

OP

Original post by amingo26

Me!!

I didn't like the college I went to so I went back to sixth form at my school. But then realised in the December that it was A-levels that I didn't like and because I'd obviously missed college intake the only way to get out of it was an apprenticeship.

I took an apprenticeship in financial admin this January and I hated every minute of it. As soon as I started I planned in leaving so I started applying to colleges again to do BTEC Civil engineering and A-level maths (I've got in for this September, thank God). But I couldn't quit straight away A, because I needed the money I was earning at the time and B, you obviously have to be in education until your 18. So, after 7 painful months I quit at the end of June! Yay. Never ever again.

That's interesting! How come you've gone from financial admin to civil engineering (if you don't mind me asking)? Are you hoping to go to university? :smile:

Reply 6

Original post by brainzistheword

That's interesting! How come you've gone from financial admin to civil engineering (if you don't mind me asking)? Are you hoping to go to university? :smile:

My school didn't offer work experience so when I finished my GCSEs last year I found a placement on my own during summer in financial services. So, when I was looking for apprenticeships I was like 'Yeah, I really enjoyed what I was doing in summer and I would like to have a career in finance' Ha, big mistake.

I've always been interested in building and construction but as a female I always felt intimidated by the profession if I'm being honest. But having that job made me miserable so I though f**k it, I'm going to do what I want :laugh:

I hope to go to uni now. I start my BTEC extended diploma in construcion civil engineering in September studying A-level maths (I started this at college before so I have a bit of an advantage) and do EPQ too for 2 years. Then maybe study a degree in civil engineering or town/urban planning maybe with architecture too.

Reply 7

OP

Original post by amingo26

My school didn't offer work experience so when I finished my GCSEs last year I found a placement on my own during summer in financial services. So, when I was looking for apprenticeships I was like 'Yeah, I really enjoyed what I was doing in summer and I would like to have a career in finance' Ha, big mistake.

I've always been interested in building and construction but as a female I always felt intimidated by the profession if I'm being honest. But having that job made me miserable so I though f**k it, I'm going to do what I want :laugh:

I hope to go to uni now. I start my BTEC extended diploma in construction civil engineering in September studying A-level maths (I started this at college before so I have a bit of an advantage) and do EPQ too for 2 years. Then maybe study a degree in civil engineering or town/urban planning maybe with architecture too.

Ah, I see! The reason I ask is that I am considering an Apprenticeship in Engineering, and like yourself, for a female in a male dominated environment it is rather daunting, but at the same time, something I feel like I am interested in. The bit that concerns me know is that I am basing this on a work experience placement I have just undertaken, so I suppose I must consider the fact that it may not be a full representation.

Plus, I'd like to go to uni, but if I go down the apprenticeship route, I won't have A-levels behind me, so I'm kind of stuck between the two, although I would be getting a BTEC. I also don't know if I want a degree in a specific subject like engineering, or perhaps a more general subject like physics.

Reply 8

Original post by brainzistheword

Ah, I see! The reason I ask is that I am considering an Apprenticeship in Engineering, and like yourself, for a female in a male dominated environment it is rather daunting, but at the same time, something I feel like I am interested in. The bit that concerns me know is that I am basing this on a work experience placement I have just undertaken, so I suppose I must consider the fact that it may not be a full representation.

Plus, I'd like to go to uni, but if I go down the apprenticeship route, I won't have A-levels behind me, so I'm kind of stuck between the two, although I would be getting a BTEC. I also don't know if I want a degree in a specific subject like engineering, or perhaps a more general subject like physics.

I totally understand after having been there myself. Of course a placement is never going to be a full representation but I suppose you have to go with what you think is right and what you think is right for you.

As for getting into uni with an apprenticeship as long as the qualification that goes alongside your apprenticeship is a Level 3 Extended Diploma BTEC which is equivalent to 3 A-levels you'll be fine. Level 2s are useless if you want to go to uni.

If you get your qualification and decide to go to uni to do engineering you'll have the experience behind you too which is an advantage you'll have over most people at uni that have come straight from uni/college.

If you take an apprenticeship and decide you don't like it like I did, then there's always options. If you're under 19 then you could always go back to college and study a BTEC or do A levels to go down the 'classic route' but if you're over 19, you could always save up the money you earn in your apprenticeship to pay for college. Also, there's schemes that will be able to help out money-wise too.

I'm still figuring out what I want to do to be honest!

Reply 9

OP

Original post by amingo26

I totally understand after having been there myself. Of course a placement is never going to be a full representation but I suppose you have to go with what you think is right and what you think is right for you.

As for getting into uni with an apprenticeship as long as the qualification that goes alongside your apprenticeship is a Level 3 Extended Diploma BTEC which is equivalent to 3 A-levels you'll be fine. Level 2s are useless if you want to go to uni.

If you get your qualification and decide to go to uni to do engineering you'll have the experience behind you too which is an advantage you'll have over most people at uni that have come straight from uni/college.

If you take an apprenticeship and decide you don't like it like I did, then there's always options. If you're under 19 then you could always go back to college and study a BTEC or do A levels to go down the 'classic route' but if you're over 19, you could always save up the money you earn in your apprenticeship to pay for college. Also, there's schemes that will be able to help out money-wise too.

I'm still figuring out what I want to do to be honest!

Is a BTEC National Diploma the same thing?

And yes, I suppose there is still the option of college up until 19 so that's always promising, although if i want to study a subject that isn't engineering, I will need A-levels, probably such as Maths, and consequently I'm looking at self teaching it, but I'm not sure how much work is involved in a BTEC qualification, and whether or not I'll have time to learn them.

Reply 10

Original post by brainzistheword

Is a BTEC National Diploma the same thing?

And yes, I suppose there is still the option of college up until 19 so that's always promising, although if i want to study a subject that isn't engineering, I will need A-levels, probably such as Maths, and consequently I'm looking at self teaching it, but I'm not sure how much work is involved in a BTEC qualification, and whether or not I'll have time to learn them.

National Diploma is the one equivalent to 3 a levels. The ones where you do 18 units.

BTECs wouldn't be that bad if you were self teaching. The specifications and units are all available to view online. You could also just order the textbook off Amazon! There are no exams in BTEC engineering so it's all coursework and timed open book tests. I'm not sure about self teaching A levels though!

The only reason I am taking A-level maths alongside my BTEC is just in case I change my mind so I have the security of having at least 1 a level!

Reply 11

OP

Original post by amingo26

National Diploma is the one equivalent to 3 a levels. The ones where you do 18 units.

BTECs wouldn't be that bad if you were self teaching. The specifications and units are all available to view online. You could also just order the textbook off Amazon! There are no exams in BTEC engineering so it's all coursework and timed open book tests. I'm not sure about self teaching A levels though!

The only reason I am taking A-level maths alongside my BTEC is just in case I change my mind so I have the security of having at least 1 a level!

That's good and a relief!

What are timed open book tests?

And I quite like the idea of having something to fall back on such as A-levels, even if it is only one or two.

Reply 12

Timed open book tests: As far as college goes, you do the learning and the research and you can write it/copy it down from the teacher into your text book. You learn it and practise and then you get a test on the stuff you've learnt but rather than having to memorise everything, you're allowed your notes that you've taken down with you. They do this for the maths modules in BTEC engineering as a way to test you and pass you on the unit but it's not a proper exam.

I mean, I'm sure that this is what I want to do but I know what I'm like for changing my mind!

Reply 13

dpasika

A lot of companies have actually been funding a lot of campaigns aimed at searching for women to enter male-dominated engineering roles in the UK in the last few years.

I'm currently an apprentice with Network Rail, and this is something we're actively seeing advertised now. While we do get a lot of female staff in the HR and planning areas we get very few entering for engineers roles. So definitely apply for any engineering apprenticeships that catch your eye - you genuinely could have an advantage just by being a woman interested in that field of work.
(Entering a male-dominated workspace can be very daunting, I can understand that, of course. But don't let it put you off.)

Also most higher apprenticeships in engineering shoot you out at the end with near-equivalent A-Levels, and you shouldn't be at a disadvantage. Definitely research what qualifications you'll receive at the end of the apprenticeship though, personally I advise going for anything at (minimum) BTEC Level 3 or equivalent.

Hope this (somewhat) helps.

Reply 14

OP

Original post by amingo26

Timed open book tests: As far as college goes, you do the learning and the research and you can write it/copy it down from the teacher into your text book. You learn it and practise and then you get a test on the stuff you've learnt but rather than having to memorise everything, you're allowed your notes that you've taken down with you. They do this for the maths modules in BTEC engineering as a way to test you and pass you on the unit but it's not a proper exam.

I mean, I'm sure that this is what I want to do but I know what I'm like for changing my mind!

Oh right - thanks for explaining that, they don't sound too bad.

I'm the same, but I'll probably end up changing my mind too :biggrin:

Reply 15

Bittah Demon

3

Original post by brainzistheword

Ah, I see! The reason I ask is that I am considering an Apprenticeship in Engineering, and like yourself, for a female in a male dominated environment it is rather daunting, but at the same time, something I feel like I am interested in. The bit that concerns me know is that I am basing this on a work experience placement I have just undertaken, so I suppose I must consider the fact that it may not be a full representation.

Plus, I'd like to go to uni, but if I go down the apprenticeship route, I won't have A-levels behind me, so I'm kind of stuck between the two, although I would be getting a BTEC. I also don't know if I want a degree in a specific subject like engineering, or perhaps a more general subject like physics.

If you're wanting to do engineering, many of the bigger companies run multiple levels of apprenticeship, so BTEC, and Degree level apprenticeships. You could still get your degree through being an apprentice, plus you'd never have to stop earning.

Reply 16