To mark the end of National Apprenticeship Week 2023, we spoke to another Old Viking, Ed Tayler (22S). Ed made the decision to study for his degree via an apprenticeship rather than full-time at university.
Tell us more about the apprenticeship programme that you are on?
I am studying to be a Level 6 Chartered Surveyor. By the end of my five-year course, I will have a degree in Quantity Surveying as well as being a member of the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS). The company funding my apprenticeship is a modular building company called Reds10. I work for them four days a week and the other day I study onsite at the University of Westminster. Reds10 are funding my studies as well as paying me a salary.
What made you want to apply for an apprenticeship?
I really didn’t know what I wanted to do after school, but I did know that I didn’t want to go to university because I didn’t want to study full time. I had been working with Reds10 for a couple of years as a labourer and having seen what happened on the building site and how it changes, I wanted to find out more about the industry and what happened behind the scenes.
What was the application process like?
Originally, I was going work for Reds10 for 12 months, spending time in the various departments to see how the business ran. But then the opportunity came up for me to do an apprenticeship – it was actually all very last minute. I had to apply to the university directly and submit a personal statement along with my A level results, then I received an offer from the university a couple of days later.
What Sixth Form subjects did you study and how did they prepare you for an apprenticeship?
At Shiplake, I studied Economics, Business BTEC and Geography. By studying business, I learned how to do coursework and work to a deadline, which really helps with my university work because there is a lot of coursework. As well as this, studying for economics and geography has given me revision and exam practice which will be useful when I have exams at university. Studying at A Level helped me to learn how to prioritise my work, which is important for any job as well as studying.
How do you feel you compare to your peers who are at university completing their degrees?
By doing an apprenticeship, I am studying for a degree while gaining loads of work experience at the same time which, to me, is the biggest difference. I am learning at university as well as working a job so gaining lots of valuable life experience in the process. Compared to being at university, there is less time to socialise but, on the other hand, you are earning, so you can go out and do more.
What advice would you give to a pupil who is considering applying for an apprenticeship?
Do it. There are no negatives that I can see from doing a degree apprenticeship. The people that I am working with are so helpful with the work that I have to do for university, because they have all done it before, as well as helping me with my work for the company. I would also advise you get work experience before applying because it will help you. And if you get the apprenticeship, don’t leave it to the week before to do your coursework because balancing your workload and study work is easy, but not if you leave it to the last minute!
The College's Hear of Careers, Mrs Louise Rapple Moore, is a great supporter of apprenticeships. She concludes "All levels of apprenticeship are extremely valuable, but I especially push Higher and Degree apprenticeships in my careers lessons as excellent options for pupils after leaving Shiplake. A Degree Apprenticeship involves working at a company on full pay (starting salary usually £18-20k) and studying for a full degree perhaps one day a week or one week in six.
"The company offering the apprenticeship will have partnered with a university to provide the degree, and they will also pay the university tuition fees. For pupils who want to avoid debt, make excellent money from the outset, and give themselves an advantage in getting into the world of work, they are really the best option."
