A Levels or Apprentiship?

dadofsam

dadofsam

dadofsam

Associate
Joined
5 Oct 2003
Posts
657
Location
London
Basically I am 17, just about to end the year and hvae done my AS levels in Maths, Chem, Physics and Eng Lit, now i dont expect great grades form these and have been wondering if its worth carrying on for a while, come yesterday i was suggested to apply for a trainee ICT technians role, now i have already done a work experience placement with them and are great blokes etc., it pays £150 a week and will allow day release for courses etc. (apprentice wage)

Basically i am really stuck now, if i should carry on with poor A level results or get on the first step in the IT world?

One last thing, it would be at the same school i am currently in 6th form at, its the only thing holding me back, whilst friends are in upper 6th i will be staff

Anyhows, any views on it being worth going for it or not or should i slog out another year potentially to get crap results
 
If its something you want to do go for it - by the looks of it A Levels don't seem your thing and thats totally fine.

Good luck :)
 
Although you wont have a-levels, if you went for a job, in 5years time when graduates from uni are trying to get jobs with 0exp you will have 5years on them.
 
Apprenticeship. I would say A Levels are a waste of time unless you are desperate not to work for 2 years or you are wanting to go to uni.
 
Adam said:
Apprenticeship. I would say A Levels are a waste of time unless you are desperate not to work for 2 years or you are wanting to go to uni.
Click to expand...
I wouldn't say they are a waste of time as I find mine useful on a daily basis. Since you're halfway through you could stick it out for another year and do the apprenticeship afterwards. I definitely wouldn't bother with university unless you really have to go, eg. for engineering or profession requiring a degree.

Why don't you drop English lit to lighten the workload. Maths, Physics and Chemistry are the 3 hardest A levels after all, but ultimately the most satisfying.

Edit: I got crap grades but it didn't hold me or any of my mates back. My best mate who got the worst grades is earning the most out of us lot :D
 
Last edited:
I would agree, that for next year you probably should drop one of the a-levels, if you are finding that you are not getting on with the way the a-levels are being done then go for the apprenticeship as these hands on things can be just as good as long its the industry u are wanting to go into.

I did ok at a-level and now got a degree in chemistry but still dont know what to do so if u see something u like, jump for it.
 
Maths, Chemistry and Physics? I smell an Engineer in the making and you want to become an IT apprentice?

A levels + Uni > pre A level apprenticeship.
 
I did an apprenticeship in print. Unfortunately that trade is kinda dying down now. Nowhere near as much print places about as there used to be anyway. I would go for a hands on trade if i were you, something that you know you will have for life and something that will be around for a long time to come. I hear aero-engineering is well worth the four years of an apprenticeship. Plus its good money once you are qualified, like me. :p
 
-Tauren- said:
I did an apprenticeship in print. Unfortunately that trade is kinda dying down now. Nowhere near as much print places about as there used to be anyway. I would go for a hands on trade if i were you, something that you know you will have for life and something that will be around for a long time to come. I hear aero-engineering is well worth the four years of an apprenticeship. Plus its good money once you are qualified, like me. :p
Click to expand...

If I was him I'd get an airconditioning installation apprenticeship along with Part P sparks, he'll make a mint in his 20's, an absolute mint.
Lots of study though and lots of certification to gain, not an easy ride.
 
VIRII said:
If I was him I'd get an airconditioning installation apprenticeship along with Part P sparks, he'll make a mint in his 20's, an absolute mint.
Lots of study though and lots of certification to gain, not an easy ride.
Click to expand...


Mine was easy.. I trained on my machine for four years, and now im fully qualified. lol. I finish in august actually.
 
dadofsam said:
Basically I am 17, just about to end the year and hvae done my AS levels in Maths, Chem, Physics and Eng Lit, now i dont expect great grades form these and have been wondering if its worth carrying on for a while, come yesterday i was suggested to apply for a trainee ICT technians role, now i have already done a work experience placement with them and are great blokes etc., it pays £150 a week and will allow day release for courses etc. (apprentice wage)

Basically i am really stuck now, if i should carry on with poor A level results or get on the first step in the IT world?

One last thing, it would be at the same school i am currently in 6th form at, its the only thing holding me back, whilst friends are in upper 6th i will be staff

Anyhows, any views on it being worth going for it or not or should i slog out another year potentially to get crap results
Click to expand...

I got ICT apprenticeship after I did my A levels, I would apprenticeship all the way I have learnt so much more I did at sixth form, my company also sends me away to IBM and RedHat training to centres to gain more qualifications. I finshed my apprenticeship last september.

Apprenticeship all the way!!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom