London Apprenticeships!

Hi there,
Just thought I would put a post out regarding apprenticeships in London - I have just been offered a pharmacy technician apprenticeship for a September start. I am just about to finish my A-Levels.
I am going to be staying in private student halls for the first year. Wondering is anyone else is moving alone to London to take an apprenticeship, doing an apprenticeship currently, or thinking about doing one! I am nervous to move alone at 18, but very very excited. If anyone wants to send me a message on here or privately, would be very much appriciated!
xxxx

Reply 1

Unknown_030

9

If it’s not at least £25k I wouldn’t move

Reply 2

toxicgamage56

Universities Forum Helper

19

Original post by Unknown_030

If it’s not at least £25k I wouldn’t move

People move for university that is -10k a year; I don’t see why you shouldn’t move for an apprenticeship. Most pay near £20k.

Reply 3

Unknown_030

9

Original post by toxicgamage56

People move for university that is -10k a year; I don’t see why you shouldn’t move for an apprenticeship. Most pay near £20k.

If it’s a degree apprenticeship then sure. But overall full time work is just different to uni and living in a hall is a bit depressing. This is just based on experiences from some of my fellow apprentices

Reply 4

toxicgamage56

Universities Forum Helper

19

Original post by Unknown_030

If it’s a degree apprenticeship then sure. But overall full time work is just different to uni and living in a hall is a bit depressing. This is just based on experiences from some of my fellow apprentices

Oh yeah I assumed it was a degree apprenticeship - I don't think pay would be at 25k or above for anything below degree level apprenticeships though.

Reply 5

floss.f

OP

7

Original post by Unknown_030

If it’s a degree apprenticeship then sure. But overall full time work is just different to uni and living in a hall is a bit depressing. This is just based on experiences from some of my fellow apprentices

I think it depends on each person. I'm going to live in halls for the first year, and then see what happens the next - as most uni students do anyway. Plus, I know I don't want to be living the classic 'uni' lifestyle, rather be working and earning straight away which is why it appealed to me. Didn't fancy being 60+K in debt after uni icl...

Reply 6

Unknown_030

9

Original post by floss.f

I think it depends on each person. I'm going to live in halls for the first year, and then see what happens the next - as most uni students do anyway. Plus, I know I don't want to be living the classic 'uni' lifestyle, rather be working and earning straight away which is why it appealed to me. Didn't fancy being 60+K in debt after uni icl...

Ye same reason I did an apprenticeship. But it’s not like uni where ur socialising etc so that’s y I said that about halls as a few others on my course moved for an apprenticeship and they said a lot of things

Reply 7

floss.f

OP

7

yeh thats true - i thought halls tho cus i have nowhere else to stay, and i dont know many people yet who i would be able to flat share with. maybe the 2nd year. i know that people in my halls will be living the classic uni lifestyle, but its just something i will have to deal with yk

Original post by Unknown_030

Ye same reason I did an apprenticeship. But it’s not like uni where ur socialising etc so that’s y I said that about halls as a few others on my course moved for an apprenticeship and they said a lot of things

Reply 8

Andrew.23?

2

Original post by floss.f

I think it depends on each person. I'm going to live in halls for the first year, and then see what happens the next - as most uni students do anyway. Plus, I know I don't want to be living the classic 'uni' lifestyle, rather be working and earning straight away which is why it appealed to me. Didn't fancy being 60+K in debt after uni icl...

I don't get the option to live in halls in Bristol
which is a pity - so am.going to look for a flat share - the no debt is one of the main reasons I'm going for this apprenticeship

Reply 9

mentallyg0n3

2

Original post by floss.f

Hi there,
Just thought I would put a post out regarding apprenticeships in London - I have just been offered a pharmacy technician apprenticeship for a September start. I am just about to finish my A-Levels.
I am going to be staying in private student halls for the first year. Wondering is anyone else is moving alone to London to take an apprenticeship, doing an apprenticeship currently, or thinking about doing one! I am nervous to move alone at 18, but very very excited. If anyone wants to send me a message on here or privately, would be very much appriciated!
xxxx

Hey!! I hope I'm not too late to the conversation! I'm in the process of researching and applying to pharmacy tech apprenticeships and I could use some advice/tips if you've got any :smile:

)

Reply 10

floss.f

OP

7

Original post by mentallyg0n3

Hey!! I hope I'm not too late to the conversation! I'm in the process of researching and applying to pharmacy tech apprenticeships and I could use some advice/tips if you've got any :smile:

)

heyyy so sorry i have only just seen this! don't know if you are still looking but heres my advice and for any others too who want it.
best decision i have ever made. I am two months in and dont get me wrong, it is hard work but i wouldnt change it for the world. i work 8.30-5 everyday which was an adjustment after the long summer after a-levels but after a couple weeks you get used to it. invest in a good alarm tho and put it on the other side of your room so that you are forced to get out of bed. i have learnt that if i put it on snooze, i will fall back to sleep and be very, very late to work (defo not speaking from experience).

august 2023 i received my a level results and september 2023 i moved to london to start an aseptic pharmacy apprenticeship
every work place is different and manages apprentices differently, but speaking from my experience - it is very 'hand-held', which is amazing. whenever i feel stuck on a college project, my manager will book a meeting with me and we will go through it together; it feels like a one-to-one tutor. i paid for a tutor during my a-levels and it was 40 quid for the hour. I am literally getting paid to learn. its amazing. this is something you will not get at uni, if you struggle academically but still want to strive and achieve, an apprenticeship is excellent choice.
my company has a good wellbeing support scheme, and people to go to when you are struggling and they will asist you. when you are researching an apprenticeship, look into this - it will often demonstrate how good a company will manage you. i attend college every thursday online, and my workplace has a study suite where i can do this. I have to go in on this day, but loads of companys let you do it from home too which is good.
my company isn't a massive company compared to some (i think i am one out of about 7 apprentices) and there are only two of us in the pharmacy department. but I know some larger companys who employ a large number of apprentices (like amazon or natwest etc) they run amazing events and socials to get to know other apprentices in the same position. this is worth reseraching too. that is one slightly tricky thing about my work - i am by FAR the youngest there so not that social but this is why i decided to live in student accom.
private student accomodation is great if you want to start an apprenticeship in a city where you dont know anyone and if you are smart, you can sneak in. apprentices are technically classed as 'full time students' and lots of companys like IQ and unite students accept this. so i live with all university students, so on weekends i live the uni lifestyle, and its great. getting the balance is important and this way is a good way to meet young people in the city.
my actual job consists of me working with top pharmacists and pharmacy techs, in the aseptic unit of a private hospital. i compound bespoke chemotherapy. so no turning up to work hungover as i need to be on form, so i dont live uni lifestyle with my mates of weekdays but i dont mind - im earning instead of being in debt :wink:

i wouldnt reccommend moving away from home for an apprenticeship if the pay is below 20K (25K in london). budgeting is my best friend right now. if anyone in london wants to meet for a coffee for more advice THEY ARE MORE THAN WELCOME TO MSG ME my insta is flo.dawson
anyway thanks for reading xoxoxoxox dont go uni xoxoxoxox

London Apprenticeships!

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