3 out of 4 students would consider an apprenticeship, but lack the right information

3 out of 4 students would consider an apprenticeship, but lack the right information by Michael Cheary Almost three quarters of students would consider an apprenticeship, yet 80% know little or nothing about them, according to the latest research from QA Apprenticeships.Despite the widespread lack of knowledge about IT and apprenticeships, QA’s research found that, once informed, 74% of secondary school children ‘would consider’ the option as an alternative to university.Worryingly, the research also found that girls were four times less likely to consider the idea of a technology apprenticeship than boys.Back to schoolsBen Pike, Director of QA Apprenticeships suggests that part of the problem lies in our education system:‘Our research shows conclusively that many school leavers could miss out on the fantastic apprenticeship opportunities being offered by employers unless schools improve their careers advice’The majority of those surveyed agreed that they did not feel well informed about the progression routes available to them and largely felt that Information, Advice and Guidance (IAG) was skewed towards university.Furthermore, students were largely unaware of the fact that formal qualifications could be achieved through an apprenticeship, a view shared by many school and college tutors who would like to offer more in-depth advice about apprenticeship routes.Changing the mindsetFollowing George Osborne’s budget, which announced cuts to university maintenance grants and pledged 3 million new apprenticeships by 2020, QA have committed to expanding their schools’ outreach programme across the UK.This will ensure the next generation are equipped with full knowledge of the career opportunities within the rapidly growing technology sector, and will help develop the digital and tech skills pipeline in the UK.“Schools and parents urgently need to think again about the advantages and potential of apprenticeships for all school age students,” said Siobhan Cronin, Head of Engagement at QA Apprenticeships,“Many traditional ide as about career success are now out-dated. Apprenticeships offer a proven and structured first step into the working world, offering pay, qualifications and education, as well as developing the crucial real world experience many employers seek out in candidates.”Earn while you learnYoung people commonly perceived apprenticeships as an opportunity to ‘earn while you learn’, avoid student debt and gain hands-on experience in the workplace.However, many feared that an apprenticeship route might limit you to a certain career or role and did not retain the ‘freedoms’ and social life associated with college or university study.The highest reason cited for not wishing to do an apprenticeship 52% was that they believed they would earn more in the long term with a degree.The IT crowdThe majority of students surveyed had positive perceptions of the IT industry, and those most actively pursuing IT apprenticeships had a keen interest in the IT sector outside of school or college.Howev er, there was some evidence that experience with the working world had led some young people to reconnect with or discover a new interest in IT.QA have placed 5,000 apprentices in the space of five years. The company plans to reach the milestone of 10,000 in the next year with the launch of their 10KinTech campaign, an initiative that has already galvanised the support of EE, Microsoft and notgoingtouni.com.Later this year, QA Apprenticeships will launch their apprenticeship degree programme, which will take school children from GCSE right through to Degree.This study was conducted by an independent researcher and adopted a mixed method approach, incorporating qualitative case studies, telephone interviews and surveys. In total the researcher spoke to 101 individuals for the qualitative element and administered an online survey in 24 schools and colleges which was completed by a total of 222 students.  Find a job What Where Search JobsSign up for more Career AdviceSign up for mor eCareer Advice Please enter a valid email addressmessage hereBy clicking Submit you agree to the School leaver advice School Leavers CV Interview Advice

How To Get The Best Online Resume Writing Services Reports

How To Get The Best Online Resume Writing Services ReportsIf you want to get the best online resume writing services reports that your are looking for, then this article was written for you. Let's take a look at the three most common mistakes that people make when it comes to online resume writing services.I. Ignoring The Last Year Before You Apply For A Job: Most job seekers don't even realize how far back their resume is going to be accepted and it never gets reviewed until they get the email that tells them that they have been hired. For example, if you go back five years before applying for a job, your chances of getting a response will be greatly increased.II. Failing To Read The Personnel Documents: Another mistake made by many is that they never bother to read the employee handbook or other document that mentions what the person is expected to do. For example, if you work in sales, you'll find that the sales manager is expected to close the sale for each day before the final p resentation of the new product. In order to get the best online resume writing services reports, you must have a copy of the employee handbook that you can review before any company is hired.III. Not Having The Correct Organization Avoid Conflicts Of Interest: This is a very common mistake. You're going to find a lot of people who apply for a job that is very similar to theirs, but who have been given an entirely different position altogether. You can easily see this occurring if you check out the payroll records of a company. You will find that some of the employees have been asked to perform a certain task but that the role that they were hired for has been filled by someone else.IV. Not Getting The Proper Background Check: There are companies that will call you before you get hired because they want to know about you. You'll be surprised to find out how many jobs are out there just waiting for someone like you to apply for.E. - Employing A Necessary Service: Yes, you are going to have to use the services of a company that provides the resume writing service. In order to get the best online resume writing services reports, you are going to have to work with a company that is established and professional. You are also going to have to spend some money on the services that you need.Many companies and individual writers will offer the best online resume writing services to people who don't know where to start. By working with a company that specializes in writing resumes, you will be able to get the job that you are looking for with the proper application.It is possible to get great results from all of the free online resume writing services that are available. These services may help you create a stunning resume, but they cannot create the resume that you are seeking. If you want to get the best online resume writing services reports, then it is important that you work with the company that is going to provide you with the best results.

Tech Up Your Job Search with the Pathsource App

Tech Up Your Job Search with the Pathsource App Looking for a job is no easy feat, but with the help of technology, things can get much easier. The challenges of finding a job extend to more than just landing one. To some people, it includes the most basic question of what job to apply for to ensure job satisfaction. When it comes to your career, every decision counts. It pays to move forward on the right footing when it comes to deciding what job to launch your career with. Your skills, strengths, weaknesses, and interests should all align in order to get you on the right path to success. This is what founder Aaron Michael and Alex Li had in mind when they launched PathSource, an app that allows its users to really explore their career path to be able to not only find a job, but also to get them on their way to career success and satisfaction. Featured in the “Best New Apps” category of the App Store in July 2015, PathSource is an app that generates a personalized salary report with different job opportunities, insider tips, and job trends based on your location. Personalized career and lifestyle assessments allow job seekers to truly understand the best fit for them, based on their experience and skills, and helps them get their career on the right track. Following the lifestyle assessment, PathSource then finds career recommendations through “an ecosystem of key data” that includes everything you need to make the right professional decision. This includes a written description of the job, projected growth, interviews wiith professionals from your field, and related careers. PathSource hosts more than 3000 informational interviews, the world’s largest database of career related videos. This does not just help out job seekers, it also helps people who are trying  to advance in their respective career ladders, helping them understand the requirements and responsibilities that come with their next career move. This wealth of information is now available at your fingertips, which is a luxury that the previous generations did not have. One more advantage â€" it is completely free! At a time when technology allows us to make informed decisions, there is no reason for anyone to pass up this leverage. You can download PathSource through this link: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/pathsource-career-job-search/id905853318?mt=8 You can also follow @PathSource through social channels to get real-time updates. This article is sponsored by PathSource. All opinions and insight belongs to me.

Career (Con)Quest #12 A Workhorse

Career (Con)Quest #12 A Workhorse Career (Con)Quest #12: A Workhorse Salary negotiations are never easy. Come prepared and do your research in advance if you want your superior to cave in.Just casually popping in one afternoon and asking if your company cares to pay you more won’t cut it.Not every employer is eager to pay their staff more (even when they totally deserve that!). So sometimes you’ll need to get a bit more strategic to cut through the initial resistance and “No-no, we can’t”.Here are a few tips for that:Initiate a performance review.Prep the data about how much you did/saved/achieved for the company.Flash some industry salary numbers.And if you are still hearing “Nope, can’t do”. Ask your boss this: Do you feel that Im over-valuing myself? This will give you more insight into why the raise isn’t happening. previous article What You Should Know Before Signing a Non-Disclosure Agreement next article Data Science Resume Example: Land The Sexiest Job in The 21st Century you might also likeCareer (Con)Quest #20: Spra y and Pray

How To Write A Technical Writer Resume

How To Write A Technical Writer ResumeA technical writer resume is a clear and concise statement of skills and qualifications that describe the worker's work experiences. This document is designed to get the attention of the potential employer immediately, regardless of the resume format used. In addition, technical writers have much more creative freedom and should consider what format will be most effective.A professional technical writer will emphasize the biggest asset in terms of skills and experience in their resume. So it is not advisable to make the information too abstract and long. It is important to direct the attention of the reader to the point where they can determine your credentials and determine if you are qualified for the job.The most effective format for a technical writer is to indicate a recent change in position or title. If you have moved up in a few years, then you will need to show this fact clearly, as this will be useful to prospective employers. The title change could also be shown in the name of the company or even at the end of the previous resume. This helps in getting the attention of the reader without them having to look further.Previous positions should also be highlighted and explained. Your technical skills can be demonstrated in more than one previous position. This is useful because of the extra knowledge that can be gained from previous positions. Remember, if you are applying for technical positions, you will not be working with products in the end, so your previous positions will provide this information.Technical writers have the ability to write short and easily readable documents. Answering questions after a presentation in an interview is not a difficult task but in a resume? If the person on the other side of the interview has been at your previous employer for several years, they will notice these small details. Also, a specific opening of bullet points will help the reader to skip past a part of the resume that does not need attention.A technical writer should highlight work history, not only titles. This shows that the writer is highly qualified in their field. Including relevant information such as numbers of publications, publications won awards, including being a recipient of a prestigious award, and public speaking are additional ways to show the ability to write a technical resume. Being able to explain accomplishments clearly will give the reader an idea of your understanding of your field.Technical writers must not be afraid to use specific words that describe their subject matter. Your technical writing skills should not only rely on common words such as 'brief'discussion' to present your resume. Again, these phrases can be used to illustrate the contributions of your previous career.Writing a technical writer resume is important, but it is also important to realize that you will not be hired by chance. The potential employer wants to hire someone who can do their job and bring va luable contributions to the company. This means that the interview will be a preview of what is expected of the person in the end. And it also means that the technical writer will have to demonstrate that they are the right person for the job.

Money-saving Tips for New Businesses - CareerAlley

Money-saving Tips for New Businesses - CareerAlley We may receive compensation when you click on links to products from our partners. All business owners who are just startingout know that it is critical thatcosts are minimised whereverpossible, particularly during the early stages.In the current economic climate, it pays to be aware of all overheads and the effect they have on your companys bottom line. One of the biggest considerations is deciding upon a physical location fora business. When choosing a base for your organisation, there are many factors that must betaken into account. These kinds of decisions can have a make-or-break impact on the success of the business, and must not be made hastily or without due care. Long-term or short-term? Essentially this decision comes down to whether you opt for a traditional long-term commercial lease, or a shorter-term serviced office space environment. Whilst on the surface, longer-term commercial office leases look better value for money on a month-by-month basis, they typically last for a period ofbetween 3-5 years. This is a considerable time for any business to commit to, especially in the fragile early stages of growth. In contrast, serviced offices and virtual serviced offices allowcompanies to rent just enough office space requiredfor present needs, on a significantly shorter term lease, whilst providing enough flexibility to downsize or upgrade the amount of office space at shorter notice and at minimal expense. When you factor in everything that a serviced office space provides within its all-inclusive monthly payment, it can often work out cheaper than a traditional office space lease. The serviced office fee generallycovers all utility bills, telecommunications and IT infrastructure, fitting costs and office furniture all things that would require extra financial outlay in a traditional permanent lease. In many cases, a receptionist is also provided to handle calls and emails for the serviced office occupants, providing a professional front for your business and minimizing your organisations personnel costs. Furthermore, meeting rooms can be paid for only when they are needed, and are no longer simply wasted office space. Just need somewhere to meet? Sometimes new businesses dont require a day-to-day working office space at all. It is a common and accepted practice these days to make use of virtual office services simply as an occasional place to meet with clients in a formal and professional setting. It is possible to hire meeting venues from sites such as i2Office.co.uk online, where you can make use of all the facilities for the day, in a location that suits both you and your clients. Similar to serviced offices, everything you might need from telephone and internet, to stationery and refreshments, can be provided at a reasonable daily rate, so you can focus on the content of the meeting and delivering your product or service. Hire with Care If you are just starting out, you will not want to commit too much money to paying employees since your business is likely to run into some teething difficulties over the first few months. Perhaps you have friends who can help out with administrative tasks initially, or you could consider hiring an intern. With so many unemployed graduates there are many who would appreciate gaining some extra experience by doing a temporary internship. This would also allow you to commit small amounts of money for shorter periods of time. Set up a Business Bank Account Keeping track of your finances is crucial as a young business and you should always separate your personal and company expenditure. One great way of achieving this is by setting up a business bank account; many banks will even offer you free banking for the first 18 months, plus you can obtain essential support and guidance during precarious times. This is a Guest post. If you would like to submit a guest post to CareerAlley, please follow these guest post guidelines. Good luck in your search. Visit me on Facebook

Negotiating Yourself Right Out of an Offer - CareerAlley

Negotiating Yourself Right Out of an Offer - CareerAlley We may receive compensation when you click on links to products from our partners. By Rob Reeves, President, CEO So you fancy yourself a skilled negotiator? That will hopefully serve you well, just dont negotiate yourself right out of an offer. We recently had a fantastic candidate who did just that. It is important to understand that negotiating a job offer is the beginning of an important relationship between hiring manager and employee. Dont lose sight of the human part of negotiating. cautions Rob Reeves, executive recruiter and CEO of Redfish Technology for over 17 years. Salary negotiations can be challenging. The market is heating up for great sales, marketing and engineering talent in the technology sectors. Candidates often want a step up in salary when making a move. Even if you are the greatest thing since sliced bread, and youve got negotiating in your blood, listen up! Heres the story of the candidate who negotiated himself out of an offer, lets call him John. Well call the recruiter Rob, and the hiring manager Henry. Rob found John by networking through industry contacts in search of a highly talented candidate with proven success. Rob presented John with a fantastic opportunity in a growing, innovative mid-stage start-up company with stellar leadership. John was definitely excited about the role and the company, but he had hoped for a higher salary than the company had slated. Based on his extraordinary track record and the value that John could bring to the company, as well as Johns keen interest in pursuing the opportunity, Rob and John decided to go ahead with expressing Johns interest. In approaching the company, Rob knew how John could be particularly valuable for them. In speaking with Henry, Rob presented Johns track record, talent, experience, and cultural fit. Rob also advised that in order to secure this profile of candidate, the position was likely going to have to pay higher. The company agreed with the Robs assessment that the candidate was outstanding and would be a great match, and so went forward with the interview process. After a series of phone and on-site interviews, John reaffirms his interest in the opportunity. Despite being more expensive than the company had hoped, the value was there and Rob and Henry went to bat behind the scenes. The management recognizes Johns value and approves a salary increase of $25K over the original requisition, an amount previously unheard of. Things are going well. John remains keenly interested. Rob fills John in the fact that this offer is pretty extraordinary for the company and is way over what they have previously done. Henry makes the offer. Heres where things start to go wrong. While John has no doubts that he has expressed about the company or benefits, he balks at the salary offer. John has had experience negotiating and is feeling quite confident. John tells Rob that he wants to have more dialogue with Henry and others at the company and feel them out further. He suspects they have other cards to play that have been withheld. He wants to negotiate all aspects of the offer as to title, equity, perks, although he offers no specific requests. After a few days of the company waiting for Johns acceptance and instead hearing that John wants to start the salary negotiation, Henry and the management team rescind the offer. What went wrong? How might John have handled things differently? Rather than understanding that the salary negotiations had been going this during this whole process, John tried to take the $25K increase as the starting point and open up negotiations. First of all, John didnt recognize the exceptional move the company had made by offering him a salary $25K over par. He didnt acknowledge that while this may be a big move for himself, it is certainly a big move for a smaller company. John could have expressed that he appreciated the great effort that had been undertaken to make him an increased offer. Additionally, John offered no specific requests. Negotiations may go back and forth but there needs to be a material discussion of quantifiables. Had John offered a quid pro quo, such as I will accept the offer and start work next week provided you give me $5K more or you offer me a company car, or whatever it was that would have made him able to embrace the offer, he may have succeeded. Finally, John did not continue to expression his interest. Johns emphasis was on the salary not matching expectations but he did not reaffirm his interest and desire to join the team any longer. Perhaps he was concerned that his continued interest would be seen as a weakness in the negotiation. To the contrary, Henry and Rob found the lack of enthusiasm about the opportunity became too large of a detriment. John missed that this was the beginning of an important relationship, and after a glorious beginning, his reactions were quickly souring the milk. John failed to recognize where he was in the negotiation process, he did not recognize the effort made on his behalf, he did not offer any quid pro quo, and he withheld his enthusiasm at the time that would have probably had the biggest impact. Rob and Henry went on to fill the position. Every negotiation is different, and there are a lot of moving parts, stated Rob Reeves. Despite the disclosure and frankly coaching, unfortunately sometimes candidates can make fatal miscalculations that cost them a great opportunity. About the Author: Rob Reeves, Recruiter and CEO of Redfish Technology, Inc. Rob has enjoyed recruiting for nearly since 1995. He founded Redfish Technology in 1996, and has taken it from a predominantly West Coast Technical recruiting firm to a nationwide, full service staffing firm specializing in High Tech and Clean Tech sectors. Connect with Rob on LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/robreevesredfish Rob Reeves on Google+ https://plus.google.com/109183739862573816042/ This is a Guest post. If you would like to submit a guest post to CareerAlley, please follow these guest post guidelines. Good luck in your search. Visit me on Facebook