Government Economic Service George's Blog
Hear from George about his experience of the GES Degree Apprenticeship Scheme
Where did you hear about the apprenticeship?
In Sixth Form, I knew that I wanted a degree in Economics. However, the standard university degree format didn’t appeal to me at all. I’d heard of degree apprenticeships before but didn’t know if there was one that would have taken me where I wanted to go. My dad did a bit of research whilst I was at school and he sent me a link to the website of the GES Degree Apprenticeship Scheme. I read through the information provided and it seemed perfect for what I wanted to do once I’d left school. I waited for the application process to start, went through the interview processes and was lucky enough to make it onto the course.
What attracted you to the GES Degree Apprenticeship Scheme?
There were a few things that attracted me to the GES Degree Apprenticeship Scheme. The main reason was having the practical working experience in an economic field to complement the theory of the Economics degree. This appealed to me as I knew it would help me achieve better results in my degree as well as develop invaluable skills (such as communication) to help me during my working time. Another reason that enticed me to choose this scheme was the financial stability it seemed to provide. Being paid a salary, having no debt from student loans, and being guaranteed a permanent position in the department if I pass the degree seemed a much wiser choice compared to choosing a degree without an apprenticeship.
What advice would you give those who are thinking about applying?
The first piece of advice I’d give to someone thinking of applying is to make sure they are well prepared for the application process. There are a few processes, including tests and interviews, they will need to undertake which will be challenging. Although there is lots of information about what interviewers are looking for, it is still key that they prepare beforehand to give themselves the best chance of being successful. The second piece of advice I would give is to be prepared for hard work! It seems obvious but juggling a degree as well as working full-time will be difficult and it is important they are prepared to commit to it when they are thinking of applying.
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