‘University Isn’t the Right Path for Everyone’: Apprentice Warns School Leavers to Think Twice Before Choosing Campus over Company Life

With exam results month in full flow for many anxious and waiting students, one of the region’s biggest employers has said it is backing Andy Burnham’s approach to encourage more young people to consider a range of routes into the world of work.

Gi Group UK, which is headquartered in Chesterfield and serves candidates and businesses across the East Midlands from its hub in Leicester, works with businesses across a number of sectors including manufacturing, logistics, warehousing, and food and drink. Employing close to 500 people across the UK, with 169 of those based in hubs across the Midlands, Gi Group is currently supporting five apprenticeships within its own operations, with a further 11 employees undertaking further training and apprenticeship type studies.

Why Emma chose an apprenticeship over university

Emma Li, who joined the business aged 18, has recently completed her Level 3 apprenticeship in HR support with Gi Group. Now 21, Emma is in the business’s people team as its People Coordinator. Here she shares her experience and advice for other young people who may be eagerly awaiting results and deciding what path to take into a lifetime of work.

Emma said: “Before I joined Gi, I did try university for one term but then I quickly realised it really wasn’t for me, and I chose to go down the route of an apprenticeship instead. On reflection, I was very much following the crowd in going to university as it was just the ‘done thing’, but I would urge young people who might be in the shoes I was in three years ago to sit down and really think about what they want and then find out what exactly they need to get there. University doesn’t have to be an automatic choice; there are lots of other routes into the world of work and I am proof of that.

“I now work in Gi Group’s People team as a People Coordinator and I’ve gained so much experience. You get real work experience while learning through an apprenticeship, you build your workplace confidence and can get under the skin of a company’s values. It’s a no brainer when you think about it and while it’s not an easy route and can be a lot to juggle, it is so fulfilling.”

Emma’s top tips for those considering an apprenticeship

• Take every opportunity that is offered to you. Shadow colleagues and say yes to things, even if you think they might not be relevant or you might not feel confident in something – because you never know, it might tell you something new.
• Be brave. If you choose a path and find it isn’t what you wanted, it’s not too late to have a change of course.
• Having a routine is important. Juggling work and study is hard so it’s important to create routines. I managed by dedicating one day a week to study and the rest was learning on the go.
• Research the company and values. I was attracted to Gi Group because there is a strong focus on collaboration and care, I think now more than ever young people are attracted by what support is on offer and if what they can bring individually is recognised.
• Ask questions and if you’re struggling speak up and ask for help. There’s no such thing as a stupid question.

More routes into work for young people

With the Prime Minister’s push for 22,000 apprenticeships by 2035, Gi Group is keen to play its part in helping give more young people a choice on gaining the skills and qualifications they need to enter the world of work.

Adele Goodman, People Partner at Gi Group Holding, said: “We’re so proud of Emma, she took brave steps in coming to us and starting an apprenticeship at Gi after realising university was not for her. It is a tough world today for young people who are entering the workforce but through apprenticeships it can really help set them apart and give them a positive introduction into the world of work. We would encourage young people to really think through what they want and to listen to stories like Emma’s carefully. She’s a shining example of a route to work which is both accessible and fulfilling.”

Interested in an apprenticeship? Find out more about our apprenticeship programmes.