12th February 2025
“We take pride in building rapport with our students, to find the right apprenticeship for them. As a team we research opportunities within the local area and beyond to support each individual reach their goals.”
Robert Muranda, Careers and Employability Manager, St Brendan’s Sixth Form College
At the mid-point of National Apprenticeship Week 2025, our Careers team offer some advice for students considering apprenticeships as their next step after completing Year 13 or Access to Level 3.
Benefits of apprenticeship routes
Apprenticeships support skills development, and are a fast-track to gain experience in the workplace whilst also earning money.
Available to individuals aged 16+, apprenticeships last a minimum of 12 months and are available from Level 2 up to 7 (which includes Degree and Masters levels). Apprentices are paid a salary, and complete off-the-job learning as part of their commitment to their employer.
According to the Department for Education, over 80% of employers and apprentices are satisfied with their apprenticeships. And joining an apprenticeship can lead to security in securing a job after training – 93% of apprentices that achieve, go into work or further training, with a 92% employment rate.
Tips when applying:
Robert Muranda, Careers and Employability Manager for the Bristol College advises students currently looking into securing an apprenticeship after Level 3 study;
- Plan Ahead! Take time to research organisations that offer apprenticeships.
- Be proactive. Contact early careers teams for organisations you’re interested in applying to.
- Build your network. Connect with the talent pool community with your chosen organisations on LinkedIn.
- Use resources at your disposal. Careers teams at your local Sixth Form or College will be notified when local apprenticeships open.
- Champion resilience. Most importantly, don’t let rejection impact your goals.
Interested in learning more about apprenticeships? Current Bristol college students at St Brendan’s have a programme of activities lead by the Careers Team during National Apprenticeship Week and beyond, including webinars and learning resources.
With a commitment to deliver a welcoming and transformative educational provision for its 2,000+ students, St Brendan’s Sixth Form College student enrichment careers programme includes access to a specialised Careers team who offer sessions for students looking at further study or the world of work.
Reflecting on the impact the programme has on the community at St Brendan’s Sixth Form College, Robert shares some highlights;
“Getting seven students into the first round of the Burges Salmon Solicitor apprenticeship programme was a particular highlight.
Talking to some of our current students about the apprenticeships they’ve obtained for September 2025 is also exciting to see how their hard work is paying off. Everyone knows that apprenticeships are competitive, so celebrating their achievements is important.”
