No longer is university the only route to a professional, well-paid career. It is a popular view amongst many that A-levels followed by university is the favoured path, the one that has the kudos for future careers.
But slowly and surely, the veil is lifting over apprenticeships and what they can really offer school leavers in terms of careers and longevity in their chosen field. Just like when starting a small business, it is important to go into the right field for you.
Which apprenticeships are currently the most popular?
Financial services apprenticeships
We may be in times of austerity, but the need for financial services and management has never been greater. It has always been a lucrative field for anyone to enter into but it isn’t for everyone.
In terms of professional apprenticeships, it is proving a popular choice. With a starting salary of £15,000 rising to £21,000, it certainly holds appeal for school leavers. Once qualified, graduates can expect a salary of £31,000 upwards depending on location – the higher rate pertains to London – and the employer.
Business and project management apprenticeships
With a slightly higher starting salary of £17,000 project management apprenticeships are continuing to prove a popular choice amongst school leavers.
Available across a range of industries, project management apprenticeships allow school leavers to not only pick up and develop important skills within project management but within their chosen industries too.
With a proven skill set and experience and the right project management qualifications, a graduate apprentice can enjoy income in excess of £25,00 with some project managers going on to earn much more. For example, in the field of construction, where project managers are in high demand, can expect a salary of over £40k.
Legal apprenticeships
The range and number of apprenticeships on offer continues to grow. In 2017, it was announced that legal apprenticeships would become available, welcome news for school leavers who don’t want to take on the debt from university.
Big legal firms such as Gordons and Fieldfisher are expected to be part of the scheme along with partnerships with universities. For example, Co-operative legal Services announced their apprenticeship would be run in conjunction with Manchester Metropolitan University.
Competition is expected to be tough for the places on offer and so with a good range of GCSEs at grade C or above, as well as three A levels at grade C or above, you can enjoy a starting salary of £17k, doubling after graduation.
Creative apprenticeships
The digital era has arrived, and it is here to stay and for many, this has opened up a whole new field of career opportunities – and this includes apprenticeships too.
An apprenticeship within the creative and digital marketing field are highly prized. Boasting a similar starting salary to the others, this is possibly the only apprenticeship where qualifications are not the only requirement – students will need to show a track record in the online world from a creative CV to a popular blog or similar.
After graduation, expect a salary of £25k as well as all kinds of exciting opportunities.
There are many other apprenticeships on offer but these four proved the most popular in 2017. Will you choose one of these for your new career, or do you have something completely different in mind for your future?
