Five advantages of becoming an Essex Apprentice are: 

1. Earn while you learn – the average wage for an apprentice is £96.20 for a 37-hour week. This is a benefit not enjoyed by college or university students.
   
2. Learn a new skill – Essex County Council is looking for apprentices in a number of different sectors including logistics, engineering, energy and social care. These are not necessarily career paths many school leavers may have considered, but the opportunities are huge.
   
3. Less classrooms, more experience - Apprentices are given the chance to attend college to learn the basics and then go into the workplace to put their knowledge into action. This valuable experience will enable an apprentice to gain the skills to succeed in their chosen career.
   
4. Employers are waiting for you – Essex County Council has apprenticeship vacancies with companies waiting to take you on.
   
5. Exciting careers - Significant employment opportunities are emerging across the region within the energy sector, particularly on the east coast. In this sector alone an apprentice could become an engineer, a geologist, a research scientist or a designer.  

Essex County Councillor Stephen Castle, Cabinet Member for Education and 2012 Games said, “As another group of Essex teenagers are approaching their GCSEs and leaving school, I would urge them to seriously consider the option of an apprenticeship.

"Apprentices gain crucial work experience, alongside earning money and developing a skill and we have already seen a number of success stories amongst Essex apprentices. Anyone who wants to know more should visit the Essex Apprentice pages on the Essex County Council website.”

For more information, visit:

• www.apprenticeships.org.uk 
• www.facebook.com/essexapprentice