GCSE level students told: Think apprenticeship, not sixth form

Published: 10:23 AM August 25, 2011 Updated: 6:44 PM November 1, 2020

ESSEX Federation of Small Businesses is urging students from Essex who get their GCSE results today to consider taking an apprenticeship or vocational course rather than A-Levels.

Essex FSB chairman, Iain Wicks, said: “Today is decision day for thousands of GCSE level students across Essex, and we hope they have all achieved the grades they desire and deserve after two years hard work.

“Traditionally many of these students will head for college to follow AS and A-Level courses but our message to them is to consider other options too.

“The apprenticeship scheme is now proving very successful providing young people with training to give them skills for their future careers and a qualification at the end of their course while at the same time earning a weekly wage.

“The Essex Apprenticeship Scheme is an excellent way of finding out the opportunities which are available across the county.

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“We know there are many small businesses across Essex, Havering and Redbridge which are looking to employ an apprentice to help their business grow and we would strongly urge that students who receive their GCSE results today to seriously consider this option.”

The FSB represents more than 200,000 business people across the UK and is the largest single organisation representing business interests in the country.