Information for parents

Parent and Guardian Guide
Parent and Guardian Guide

Investment:

When aspiring youngsters leave high school to embark on a journey they hope will lead to career success and financial stability they very often see university as the only option. The purely academic route is seen as the smart option and a way to lift them above the competition.

In reality, and in contrast to previous generations, university degrees have now become a common achievement amongst young people making it harder for them to stand out. Additionally, graduates are now leaving university with bigger debts than ever before and often come to find that prospective employers are looking for candidates with experience.

Starting out with a Mercedes‑Benz Apprenticeship will give your child the independence of earning a working wage from a young age and stepping into a fully functional workplace to gain genuine practical experience. Alongside this, your child will be provided with education in the core Maths, English and ICT competencies and given periodical training at the state-of-the-art Mercedes‑Benz Apprentice Academy in Milton Keynes.

For an apprentice, the financial benefits are considerable and can even outweigh those of their graduate counterparts, a suggestion backed up by data from the Office for National Statistics.

However, even by choosing an apprenticeship with Mercedes‑Benz the door is not closed to university or further education.

Upon successful graduation your child will receive certificates for a Level 3 Apprenticeship, a qualification in High Voltage Awareness and an F-Gas Handling licence. Apprenticeships can lead on to further education opportunities if desired.

Of course, as an apprenticeship-providing establishment you will understand why we want to promote the benefits but don't just take our word for it. In the most recent inspection Ofsted marked the Mercedes‑Benz Apprentice Academy as 'Outstanding' in the field of 'Outcomes for Learners', and as the following articles will show there are many more out there, including apprenticeship graduates themselves, wanting to speak up about this exciting career route.

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‘Too often ignored as an alternative to university, apprenticeships can give young people the opportunity to learn while gaining valuable experience in the workplace.’
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‘More than three quarters of recent university graduates were not told about apprenticeships or vocational training routes before leaving secondary education, a survey has revealed.
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A word from our Apprentice Academy Operations Manager:

Undertaking an apprenticeship is the first step of a career ladder that can take you as far as you are willing to climb…

When you successfully complete your 3 year apprenticeship you will do so in the knowledge that Mercedes-Benz qualified Technicians and Parts Advisors are amongst the most highly respected in the motor industry. We believe in a philosophy of lifelong learning, and whether your ultimate aim is to be the best Diagnostic Technician in the workshop, the best Parts Advisor in the department, or whether your ambition is to progress on to a management role, then it is our intention to supply you with the learning skills to get you to where you want to go. We know that the future of the Mercedes-Benz network is dependent on the calibre of the apprentices we train which is why we have invested over two million pounds in a purpose built Academy to ensure that you have the best learning experience possible.”

Helen Taylor
Apprentice Academy Operations Manager

Helen Taylor
Apprentice Academy Operations Manager

Apprentice Q and A:

Matthew Watson, Apprentice Vehicle Technician

Why do you love being a Mercedes‑Benz apprentice?

“I spotted the apprenticeship last year after leaving school and, with it being such a great brand as Mercedes‑Benz, I thought - why not give it a go? Now I can say I work for Mercedes‑Benz, which is something to be proud of.”

What's your advice for school leavers looking to apply?

“If anyone in Year 11 at school were asking me, I'd tell them to go for an apprenticeship. I wasn’t totally sure what I wanted to do but I'm so glad I made this decision. It's been fantastic so far.”

What are you looking forward to in the future?

“I started with the apprenticeship as part of my plan to become a Vehicle Technician. I have a job, earn a wage and thanks to Mercedes‑Benz will soon have qualifications to my name that I can use throughout my career.”