National Apprenticeship Week is upon us, and we’re on a mission to shout about the benefits to taking non-conventional education pathways, such as apprenticeships.
Do you know 48% of the apprenticeships started in 2022/23 were by people aged 25 and over? 13.9% of these also came from degree apprenticeships.
We asked our alumni volunteer community to share their apprenticeship stories and offer advice from what they’ve learned, and they came through with some real gems:
Ryan, Clayton Hall Academy alumni:
“I did various healthcare related apprenticeships, I had the opportunity to learn on the job, gained the skills and experience whilst also gaining a good salary at the same time.
Apprenticeships are an excellent route if you learn by doing and/or you are a practical person. My top tips for anyone thinking about doing an apprenticeship would be to check with local employers/colleges for what they offer, and to make sure you shop around as different companies will give different salaries, have different requirements, and time lengths for their apprenticeships.”


Katie, Churston Ferrers Grammar School Academy alumni:
I was at Churston from 2002-2009 and I studied P.E, English Language, Psychology, and Geography at A Level. I later went to university and completed a BSc in Sports Science and later in 2014 I completed my PGCE in Secondary PE. I loved teaching but the work-life balance and health conditions altered my pathway.
I had a rethink regarding my career pathway and decided to join Torbay Hospital as a Radiology Support Worker in 2019. I worked as a support worker for three years helping in X-ray, CT, Fluoroscopy and ultrasound utilising my knowledge of Anatomy and Physiology.
Since March 2023 I have been fully funded by Torbay Hospital to complete an apprenticeship programme, while being paid a full salary.
I am currently a Diagnostic Apprentice Radiographer at the University of Exeter studying a three year degree, full time with direct on the job learning. I head to campus three weeks of the year, where as the rest of the time is spent learning at work.
This has been the best decision I could have made. Once qualified and with radiography experience, will look to utilise my teaching degree once again, and offer teaching support to future students in the department. Shortly, I will also look to lecture at Exeter University in the imaging department.”
Oliver, The Park Community School alumni:
“I left Park in 2019 and like so many people I chose to study at Exeter College. I went onto doing A-Levels which seemed like the natural choice after doing well in my GCSEs, it never crossed my mind to consider any other options. After my AS year I decided I wasn’t really enjoying what I was studying. I wanted to spend my time focusing on the field I was most passionate about and I decided to change to a BTEC in IT. I did that for another three years and graduated with knowledge in so many areas in the field.
During my final year I began to apply for higher level (level 6) apprenticeships. I found it a long process applying to so many but I am so glad that I took the time to do that. Thankfully I was accepted by my current company: BT group.
I have loved my apprenticeship so far. I’m studying a degree with all the benefits of a student but none of the downsides of going through the usual uni route. I’m gaining so much industry knowledge and experience and I am able to see that my day to day work is actively making a difference.
I couldn’t be more of an advocate for both the BTEC route and apprenticeships. Students shouldn’t be deterred from exploring other routes due to the ‘talk’ around them and should go for the path that will help them to work and learn the best they can.”
Fathima, Challney High School for Girls Alumni:
“When I left college I went straight to university to do the degree that I had wanted to do for a very long time. However, the commute and the change in pace from college to uni was a huge jump and really impacted my mental health.
I initially planned to take a gap year to try something different before returning to university and applied for an apprenticeship role. Luckily I got the spot!
Almost six years on now and I have learned so many skills and met so many inspiring people. From the experiences I gained from my apprenticeship, I have had the opportunity to move up in the organisation I am working in.
Doing an apprenticeship showed me the colours of the real world. I feel it toughened me up and gave me the skills and resilience I needed in the workplace, in a way that a university course wouldn’t have.
All in all I wouldn’t trade this experience for the world. You get a qualification at the end, you gain a lot of knowledge and connections in the field you work in, and earn some money too!
If you are thinking of applying for an apprenticeship – do it!”
Got some advice of your own to share?
All of the above advice was offered by alumni volunteers on The Future First Hub. Our safe, social-media style platform which enables volunteers to interact and connect with young people, schools, employers and fellow volunteers.
From filling out your profile, demonstrating where you started and how you got to where you are now, to finding volunteering opportunities both in-person and online, you can also find out if your old school or college has a registered alumni network.