UCAS forms at the ready: Manchester Metropolitan University is offering students the chance to get paid while studying, and Pinsent Masons is just one of the companies paying students to study
With competition for entry-level jobs scarily high, choosing whether to plump for a university degree or some extra years of work experience can be a daunting decision. However, some employers and educational establishments are looking at ways to offer bright young things the best of both worlds.
In just under a fortnight's time, Manchester Metropolitan University is inviting school leavers to an open evening for a range of programmes it offers that provide apprenticeship-style work opportunities alongside a degree-level education.
Programmes on offer at degree level are digital & technology solutions, chartered management and chemical science, while the university also provides a higher level and advanced level apprenticeship in legal services.
Employers involved with the programme include Barclays, Lloyds Bank and Pinsent Masons.
"Young people really can have the 'best of both worlds' by combining paid employment with study via our university level apprenticeship programmes," said Liz Gorb, Manchester Met's director of apprenticeships. "Our open evening is an opportunity to meet employers and current apprentices, gain careers advice, discover more about university life and about the apprenticeship opportunities starting in the autumn."
Research released yesterday in the US by CareerBuilder discovered that college degree programmes were failing to produce enough suitable candidate for specific subject areas, including computer science, economics and legal studies. So, perhaps employers incentivising would-be workers throughout their student life is not such a bad idea…