Hi There.

My brother is due to leave school in June around 25th i think it is, hes looking to go straight into an apprenticeship as soon as he leaves school as he prefers the hands on learning, hes interested in all kinds of industries including electrians, joiners, mechanics etc.

Does anyone know the best way to try and get the right start for him? Connections seems to be a dead end as they give every young adult the same places to try.

Thanks in advance

Kelly

Sheffield College offer apprentice courses.

Colleges offer qualifications, not apprenticeships and there is a major difference. If you want help with getting an actual placement for hands on training, then forget it.

Seriously Kellyanne, your son is better of getting a job at Tescos, my Nephew is beginning to find that out. The Colleges bend over backwards chasing after the kids who mess about, don't turn up for exams and anyone with ambition is held back by the kids who are there for their EMA.

Our Nephew has got his quals, and as he cannot gain any work in the trade can't gain the experience he needs

Our Nephew has got his quals, and as he cannot gain any work in the trade can't gain the experience he needs

That sounds familiar, then as time goes by they find out they are too old even at 18 and forget about it once they reach 21, what few apprenticeships there are will be for 16 year olds on £3.57 an hour.

On a side issue my son is in his first year at college and has been unable to find a firm who will set him on.

He has now been offered the chance to work as an apprentice in a different vocation and would ideally love to swap trades. I dont want him to rock the boat with college a risk losing his place.

Has anyone any idea if simpathy would be shown and would he be allowed to swap. Or even wait til September and start again.

Any advice welcomed.

http://www.apprenticeships.org.uk/ - Very good website :)

Henry boots may do apprenticeships still i went when i left school they sent us on release placements every 8-10 weeks

Thanks Everyone! Well hes left school now hes not going back only once a week for science which he has to do in school, as hes been bullied its not safe for him in school and im sure everyone agrees the school system is a shambles! I just want him to get the best start, his school and connections are trying to push him into construction but its just not something he is interested in at all.

It was only 5 years ago since i left school and there was so many more options for me, i did my apprenticeship in a solicitors and im doing ok for myself now. I feel sorry for the kids now its getting worse not better!

I just want my Brother to get the best start in life

He has now been offered the chance to work as an apprentice in a different vocation and would ideally love to swap trades. I dont want him to rock the boat with college a risk losing his place.

.

Have a word with the collage, maybe some of the work he as done could be used as credits on a different course although I wouldn’t change unless the offer he as had is 100%, you don’t want to be back at square 1 again do you.

If he's interested in IT, he could consider Zenos Training in Sheffield. They offer a 6 month full time training course Mon-Fri 9am-5pm and from Feb 2010 it will be classed as an apprenticeship paying £95pw. My son's about to finish his course in Feb (unpaid this year though) and he can't speak highly enough about the tutors and training offered. More akin to a job than a college.

Click on this link to register and view the latest vacancies in South Yorkshire which include Zenos https://apprenticeshipvacancymatchingservice.lsc.gov.uk/navms/forms/candidate/Apprenticeships.aspx

Thank You....Please keep the info coming this is really useful!

Brinsworth Training Offer a huge range of courses and apprenticeships. They also pay the students weekly to learn!
The tutition is superb and the facilities are second to none.
Take a look whats on offer at the website for Brinsworth Training.

you want to try CTStraining, they offer placements and apprenticeships for 16-19 and u can get ema i know its not alot but a bit is better than nothing and they provied u with a bus pass. He can go for a interview where somebody will discuss what he can do. I use to work there and seen so many young kids go into apprenticeships. Worth a try.

Sheffield council also have an apprenticeship scheme, details here: http://www.sheffield.gov.uk/whats-new/job-vacancies/welcoming-diversity/apprenticeships

Try JTL http://www.jtltraining.com/ There aren't many apprentice jobs at the moment but hopefully by the summer this will all change.

If he's not interested in construction, or any other job, then the school/ connections should not be pushing him in that direction, but advising him a career that he actually wants.

what exactly do's he want to train in?

As an old' hairdresser owning numerous salons I have employed hundreds of girls and boys over 40 yrs. I have always been impressed by young people writing and wanting to work for me.I must imply that I only consider, well, 'hand written' letters,(Not computer generated),correct grammar,and no slang or spelling mistakes.Mum and Dad can help with this.If your brother has seen a shop,business,or firm where he would like to work I'm sure they would be willing to ...at least see him.From then on it's up to him to 'impress' the interviewer.Make sure he has done his 'homework' on the business,look clean and smart,(No Jeans and T-shirt) arrive at least five mins: before scheduled time, and ask questions about the firm and the work involved.It will be no good sitting there like a 'lemon' with the interviewer doing all the talking.Anyway....good luck to him,and all the best for the future.