GCSE RESULTS DAY – WHAT’S NEXT?

GCSE results day is here again, bringing with it important decisions. If you get the results you were hoping for, congratulations! You’ve probably got your next steps mapped out. Maybe you’re starting A-levels in September or have an apprenticeship or a college course lined up. 

You won’t be alone if you had your heart set on A-levels and don’t get the grades you need. Don’t panic!

You can always retake some of your GCSEs at school or college if these qualifications are a priority. Alternatively, you can opt for paid employment while developing professional skills on an apprenticeship. Generally, for a level 2 apprenticeship, GCSE qualifications aren’t necessary. 

It’s important to remember that apprenticeships aren’t just an option for those with low GCSE grades. Many young people who get shining results are actively choosing apprenticeships over A-levels.

So let’s take a closer look at apprenticeships.

Apprenticeships

An apprenticeship is a way of working, getting paid, and developing industry-standard skills. Whoever your apprenticeship employer is, you’ll be training to the same standards as other people in other organisations, doing the same apprenticeship as you. That’s because, for each apprenticeship, there is a specific set of industry skills, knowledge, and professional behaviours that an apprentice must acquire. So, completing an apprenticeship proves you can do a specific job well.

You are employed on an apprenticeship but will spend at least 20% of your working time training. This training comes in many different forms. Work shadowing, online classes, workshops, and portfolio building are all types of apprenticeship training, and there are many more. 

Some apprentice employers have in-house training departments. But more often than not, your employer will use a specialist apprenticeship training company to provide your training. You’ll have a personal tutor to support you throughout your apprenticeship. They’ll lead the training sessions and help you reach the standards you need to pass. 

Support

On your apprenticeship, you will have access to fantastic support. Not just support for your skills development but also help with any personal issues that might arise while on your apprenticeship. At work, you will have a dedicated apprenticeship mentor. Meanwhile, your apprenticeship trainer will help you with any course content you’re struggling with. Also, if you need it, they’ll help you access support for additional challenges, such as mental health.

Benefits of Apprenticeships

The main benefits of apprenticeships are:

• Earn While You Learn: combine paid work and training
  
• Choice: There is an apprenticeship for well over 250 different job roles, just at levels 2 and 3
• Practical Experience: no better way to get professional work experience
• Career Progression: undertake higher apprenticeships as your career progresses; you can even progress to a degree apprenticeship
  
• Support: an unbeatable package of support to help you tackle any challenges
  
• Maths & English: If you failed Maths and/or English GCSEs, you get another chance to reach these essential skill levels on your apprenticeship

Apprenticeships in the Liverpool City Region

Liverpool City Region has hundreds of employers eager to take on this year’s school leavers and train them as apprentices to fill vital positions. Most of these apprentices will be kept in their jobs after completing their apprenticeships. 

Apprenticeships are available in many different industry sectors for many job roles. For example, Elly Smith,[https://lcrbemore.co.uk/apprenticeships/mayors-levy-transfer-campiagn-funds-apprenticeships-at-vauxhall-law-centre/] a development officer at Vauxhall Law Centre, completed an apprenticeship suitable for people working in fundraising and charities. She says:

‘The fundraiser apprenticeship allowed me to increase not only my fundraising knowledge but also my confidence levels massively. I thoroughly enjoyed learning the course content, which has greatly increased my knowledge of modern fundraising.’ 

If you like the idea of a hands-on role, why not train as an events technician with The ACC Group Liverpool[https://lcrbemore.co.uk/vacancy/events-technician-apprentice/]? Or start a logistics career as a supply chain operative  [https://lcrbemore.co.uk/vacancy/supply-chain-operations-apprentice/] at Seagon Ltd with a starting salary of £15,600 a year? Perhaps you have a love of horses? Your dream of working with them could come true by applying for the Equine Groom Apprentice-International Showjumping[https://lcrbemore.co.uk/vacancy/equine-groom-apprenticeship-international-showjumping/] at Frankby Farm. This is just the tip of the iceberg: there are many more exciting apprenticeship opportunities available right now! [https://lcrbemore.co.uk/apprenticeship/]

Don’t forget, once you complete an apprenticeship at level 2, if your employer knows you are keen to progress and take on more responsibility, you can progress to a level 3 apprenticeship. In this way, you can develop your career through to supervisory or managerial positions.

A Time To Move Forward

Whatever your GCSE results, now’s the time to consider the pros and cons of every option available to you, be it A-levels, T-levels, apprenticeships, volunteering, or a job without training.  To discover more about skills and career options in the Liverpool City Region for school leavers, sign up for the LCRBeMore app.[https://lcrbemore.co.uk/app/] It’s a great place to research career opportunities after GCSEs. Stay positive and keep an open mind! Whatever you choose, if you work hard and have a positive attitude, your future will be successful.