Today there is wide-spread concern that thousands of students will miss the mark when it comes to this year’s A-level results, with around 60,000 fewer top grades awarded.
According to research by Aviva, 24% of the UK’s former students regret going to university. And, it’s worth knowing that UK graduates owe the largest student loan amounts in the developed world.
If you don’t fancy another three years of study, can’t face the debt, or don’t think you’d get there, don’t worry. There are plenty of new routes into careers that were once the preserve of graduates. These new opportunities are partly thanks to a rise in apprenticeships since government and business invested more in professional training.
Here’s a selection of some top jobs you can do without a degree.
1. Air Traffic Controller
What do they do?
24 hours a day, they help to keep some of the busiest airspace in the world moving. The work is challenging and demanding, but it’s immensely rewarding too. Air traffic controllers give information and advice to airline pilots to help them take off and land safely and on time.
Getting There
You have to be over 18 and have at least five GCSEs or equivalent at Grade 4 or above (previously A-C) or Scottish Nationals 5 Grade A-C or equivalent, including English and maths. As well as having a good level of physical and mental fitness, you must satisfy the basic medical requirements set down by the Civil Aviation Authority.
The National Air Traffic Control Service (NATS) has developed a series of games to help gauge whether you’re right for this career.
Pay: £18,000 to £43,000
2. Solicitor
What do they do?
TV series Suits has a lot to answer for – never has law looked so sexy. In reality, solicitors advise their clients on the law, and can specialise in a host of areas, including commercial, criminal and family law, and much more.
Getting there
You can now become a solicitor by training on the job since new solicitor apprenticeships (level 7) which were approved in 2015. This isn’t an easy route – you’ll need to pass a series of tough exams. You’ll need good A levels and it can take five to six years to complete.
Pay £25,000 to £100,000
3. Junior 2D artist – visual effects
What do they do?
They help artists produce all the whizzy visual effects (VFX). They assist senior VFX artists and prepare the elements required for the final shots. Eventually they’ll be employed by post production companies working on commercials, television series and feature films.
Getting there
You could do a practical short course at London’s MetFilm School (Ealing Studios) or many other colleges and try to get into the industry that way, or do an apprenticeship via Next Gen
Pay from £18,000 to £50,000 once qualified
4. Laboratory Technician
What do they do?
Lab technicians work in many areas from forensic to medical science, nuclear and more. They might set up experiments, record data, collect and analyse samples and do all the day-to-day jobs of laboratory work. Attention to detail is critical.
Getting there
Any relevant science A levels will help, and you can apply for a two year apprenticeship scheme through relevant employers.
Pay £17,000 to £30,000 plus
5. Police Constable
What do they do?
If you’ve been considering this as a career, now could be the right time to apply. Police officers keep law and order, investigate crime, and support crime prevention.
Getting there
There is no formal educational requirement, for direct application but you will have to be physically fit and pass written tests. Or, you could start by doing a police constable degree apprenticeship. You’ll usually need: 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and college qualifications like A levels for a degree apprenticeship.
You can get a taste of what it’s like to work with the police by volunteering as a special constable.
You could also get paid work as a police community support officer (PCSO) before applying for police officer training.
Pay £19,000 to £41,000
6. Environmental conservation officer
What do they do?
Climate change is on most people’s minds, so this job is probably more important than it’s ever been.
Environmental conservation officers Monitor the outdoors, encourage others to enjoy the environments around them, manage wildlife habitats, monitor rivers prone to flooding and coastal areas
Getting there
Try volunteering and apply for an environmental conservation apprenticeship – Landex has a map of providers.
From £19,000
7. Professional Services
What do they do?
A whole range, from auditing, consulting, financial advisory work, internal client services, to risk advisory and tax consulting. They’ll work with clients from a variety of industries and will develop valuable business advisory skills – even management consultancy is an option.
Getting there
Big companies such as Deloitte and PwC offer professional services higher apprenticeships which help A level students gain a range professional qualifications.
Pay £18,000 to £80,000 plus depending on specialism
8. Computer forensic analyst (cyber security)
What do they do?
Investigate and thwart cyber crime. They might work for the police or security services, or for computer security specialists and in house teams. They’ll follow and analyse electronic data, ultimately to help uncover cyber crime such as commercial espionage, theft, fraud or terrorism.
Getting there
Cyber security professionals are in high demand in both the public and private sector in the wake of high level breaches and perceived terrorism threats. And there’s a severe shortage of qualified professionals. Cyber security higher apprenticeships (level 4) are offered by major infrastructure and energy companies and – excitingly – the security services.
Pay £25,000 to £50,000
9. Nuclear Engineer
What do they do?
Ensure the safe running of nuclear power station, or development of defence capability. They cover a whole range of tasks linked to nuclear power, from helping design and build new plants to monitoring radiation to planning safe disposal of nuclear waste.
Getting there
Unsurprisingly through professional training – the National Nuclear Laboratory offers apprenticeships and the ministry of Defence has a new nuclear undergraduate engineering apprenticeship. More broadly, there’s a massive national shortage of engineers and companies are pushing on-the-job training in many sectors.
Pay £25,000 to £58,000
10. Youth worker
What do they do?
Work with young people and help them develop personally and socially. They might work with local services, youth offending teams or voluntary organisations and community groups. They might help organise sports and other activities, or be involved on counselling and mentoring, or liaising with authorities.
Getting there
Many enter youth work as a volunteer or paid worker, but you can now qualify via a youth work apprenticeship.
Salary £18,00 to £33,000
11. Royal Navy officer
What do they do?
Undergo leadership training before choosing from a wide range of specialisms, from navigation to submarines, intelligence or mine warfare.
How do you get there?
You’ll typically need 5 GCSEs at grade 9 to 4 (A* to C) or above and 2 to 3 A levels. If you’re an A level student, you’ll have to take aptitude and ability tests, pass a fitness test and interview before a more rigorous assessment to see if you’re capable mentally and physically.
If successful, you can begin officer training at Britannia Royal Naval College in Dartmouth.
Pay from £27,300 to £46,000
