Miss Jamie Gallagher, Director of Higher Education & Careers

We delighted that Zi Zhen (pictured right) has secured a fantastic degree apprenticeship offer from Thales, a French multinational business which designs and builds electrical systems and provides services for the aerospace, defence, transportation and security markets.

Degree apprenticeships, which take three to six years to complete, depending on the course level, enable students to gain a full undergraduate or master’s degree while working.  Zi Zhen will work in Thales’ office and learning centre in Crawley four days a week, spending one day a week studying virtually for a BSc in digital and technology solutions with the University of Warwick. Zi Zhen’s degree is fully-funded and the apprenticeship brings a starting salary of £18,000 plus bonuses. This degree apprenticeship is an excellent opportunity for Zi Zhen to gain skills, knowledge and experience to help her flourish in her future career.

Fellow Upper Sixth Former Simran (pictured left) has made it through to the final round of the selection process for a degree apprenticeship with investment bank Goldman Sachs, where she would complete a BSc in digital and technology solutions (software engineering) with Queen Mary University of London.  We wish Simran the very best of luck for her upcoming final interview and are keeping our fingers crossed as she awaits the decision outcome.

Degree apprenticeships are extremely competitive but hugely beneficial, as they allow students to obtain a head start in their profession over those leaving university without the same level of work experience. They develop important work-based skills such as communication, the ability to work under pressure to deadlines, teamwork and problem-solving. Other benefits include deepening an understanding of course material by putting it straight into practice in the workplace and gaining plenty of career networking opportunities. Most degree apprenticeship providers offer full time employment at the end of apprenticeships and opportunities for progression.

Degree apprenticeships are highly sought after. Both Zi Zhen and Simran have put a great deal of time and effort into their applications, as well as interview and assessment preparations, and we are extremely proud of their achievement.