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August 10th is Results Day in the UK, with A-Level grades and BTEC grades issued to students on or before this seminal date depending on the awarding body.
Now, getting your results is a nerve-wracking experience at the best of times. Let alone after the two years we’ve all been through. Years where your education has been thrown up in the air and grades are being worked out differently than ever before.
The good news is you’re not alone. Whatever route you’re hoping to take next, there’s loads of support out there for you.
If that route is university, you should check the UCAS website for all the information(opens new window) about what grades you need – and what steps you should take next.
However, if you’re undecided, considering an apprenticeship, or want to learn more about an alternative pathway to a fulfilling career, this is the blog for you.
We’re here to cover off what an apprenticeship actually is, what grades you’ll need, how to apply, and what happens on results day. Let’s get started.
What is an apprenticeship?
An apprenticeship is an exciting way to work and study at the same time: learn new skills while you earn a salary. And, you’ll get a qualification at the end of it.
Over a period of around 15-19 months, apprentices work a full-time 9-5 at a company – on a competitive salary. While they’re there, they spend 20% of their time studying skills and content directly relevant to their role.
The entire apprenticeship experience is free for the candidate - so there are no tuition fees to pay. Better yet, you earn while you learn.
Upon completion, you finish up with an apprenticeship qualification. This ranges from a Level 3 (equivalent to two A-Levels) to Level 4 – the same as a foundation degree.
Here’s our CEO, Euan Blair: "We have seen a fourfold increase in the number of apprenticeship vacancies that are available to young people today - and that's a trend being reflected across the country at large. The fastest growing apprenticeships are in areas like data and digital skills, and that's no surprise as those are the skills that are most in-demand right now.
"This isn't happening by accident: apprenticeships are growing in prestige. They have become the single best way to access talented, diverse young people with the skills required to drive business growth. In turn those young people are getting a jump start on their university peers, with expert training and the support of a community.
"The pandemic has put the value proposition of university under huge scrutiny, and apprenticeships are increasingly being seen as the outstanding alternative."
How do you apply for an apprenticeship?
Apprenticeships are just like jobs. So you can apply for one when a company makes a vacancy available.
Applying for apprenticeships is like applying for a job. We’ll help you do this through our portal(opens new window), but it’s a good idea to have a bit of interview practice and some relevant work experience or an interest in the area of work you’re applying for. We'll help you build an online profile that showcases your skills and potential.
We’ve made applying for apprenticeships as simple as possible. And we’re with you every step of the way. To get started, sign up to our application portal here(opens new window). We’ll check you’re eligible for our programmes, keep you up to date with any relevant vacancies, and support you with your application.
There are some great jobs already up for grabs. At Multiverse, we work with companies like Facebook, Morgan Stanley, Mercedes-Benz, the NHS and many more across England. By applying with us, you’re sure to find an incredible opportunity to kickstart your career.
How do I develop the right skills and experience to do an apprenticeship?
If you’re looking to gain skills and experience, we suggest checking out Apprentice Nation(opens new window). This career development platform provides work and life skills training, inspiration, mentoring, and exciting cv-building opportunities with the help of artists like Tinie (Tempah), RAYE, and Young T & Bugsey. By taking part, you’re also gaining access to exclusive music events and amazing rewards like a Samsung smartphone - and it’s all totally free.
If you’re interested in our software engineering progamme, check out our Tech Talent Accelerator(opens new window).
The Tech Talent Accelerator is a six-week programme, where you can gain technical skills such as coding, full stack development, and web development utilising languages and frameworks such as Java, JavaScript, HTML and CSS.
The bootcamp is completely free for eligible participants who are 18-24 years old and do not have a university degree.
What grades do I need to do an apprenticeship?
It all depends on what programme you go for. That said, for all Multiverse apprenticeships, you’ll need at least a grade of 4/C GCSE (or equivalent) in Maths and English. Some may also have additional requirements, such as an A-Level.
The best way to find out more – and discover the apprenticeship for you – is to apply on our platform(opens new window). We’ll then get in touch and talk you through your options.
What do apprentices say?
Islam Fessih, 21 - Business Administration apprentice at Unicef
My apprenticeship also enabled me to start working and earning straight away - and to start moulding my own route. I didn’t like the idea of putting everything on hold for four years with no guarantee of a job at the end of it.
By this time, I’d already received an unconditional offer to study Law at the University of Durham. But I was so excited by the apprenticeship, I made the decision to turn it down. Everyone was a bit confused about why I would turn down such a good offer at first - and it was a big decision.
But I felt that the option for uni will always be there, so I didn’t feel too much pressure.
My apprenticeship enabled me to try new things, work on things that felt like they actually mattered. I was quite an academic student, but now everything I write, learn and do makes a real impact on a business and on people’s lives.
Joanna Eccleston, 20 - Business Administration apprentice at Unilever
I was working full-time in a restaurant when I first came across Multiverse. That was the first time I realised you could get into companies like Unilever, Morgan Stanley and Facebook through apprenticeships.
I applied for the Business Administration programme and got a place at Unilever. I’ve always been quite an independent person, and that’s why an apprenticeship suits me: I can work and contribute to the team, while learning in my own time.
I didn’t know anyone else doing an apprenticeship but my family were very pleased: they realised quite early on that academic life wasn’t really for me.
Now, on my programme I get to learn about all the different functions of a business while working at a really exciting big company. I’m almost a year into the apprenticeship - I’ve enjoyed it so much that now I’m thinking about maybe doing a degree-level apprenticeship or a higher level apprenticeship to broaden out my skills.
One last piece of advice
Getting your A-Level and BTEC results can be a daunting experience. We’ve been there. But remember: there’s lots of help available – whether you’re going into a job, heading off to university, or taking an apprenticeship.
The most important thing to remember is to choose the path that feels right for you – the path that matches your passion and your working style. This is your choice, and your life. Good luck!
