Whilst some opt for university or going straight into full-time employment, for others, the way forward is down the route of apprenticeship, combining study and professional development with workplace experience and a wage. 

In years gone by, our pupils have taken up apprenticeship roles with companies including Nestle, British Sugar and the National Grid, and the class of 2022 are an equally diverse bunch, headed for destinations including Disney, estate agents and dentistry. 

Carys Baily has landed a role with carmaker Jaguar Land Rover – not on the shop floor, but in its financial division. 

“I opted for apprenticeship because I thought it would give me hands-on experience that would benefit me in the long run,” she said. 

A four-stage recruitment process culminated in having to come up with a presentation about the impact of the pandemic on the car industry, and finally an assessment day at the company’s Gaydon office. 

“That included two interviews, one was a motivational interview and the other was a behavioural interview, and then an activity based on my skills,” she explained. “Two days later, I got the call saying they were offering me an apprenticeship.” 

Carys’s opportunity with Jaguar Land Rover starts in early September and is a Level 7 finance apprenticeship, which will see her carry out a number of six-month placements in different areas of the company. 

“It lasts four years and I will be working towards becoming a Chartered Global Management Accountant (CGMA), after which I would love to stay in the company. They offer some apprentices the chance to study for a masters in Accounting and Finance, which I would be very interested in.” 

Carys’s success so far has opened up a wide range of potential future opportunities, and she said her experience at school had put her in the ideal position to make the most of her future. 

“The multiple work experiences that I completed prior to applying for the apprenticeship definitely helped me during the interview process, and I had great support from the sixth form team when I was in year 12, helping me get relevant experience in the finance industry,” she said. “That made a big difference to how things have turned out.”