II. Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C, or D to indicate the correct answer to each of the questions.
A _ The name of this benefit says it all. By doing an apprenticeship, you get to earn a wage whilst gaining a qualification - the best of both worlds, if you like. It's worth noting that most apprenticeships tend to start on the National Minimum wage for an apprenticeship - which currently stands at £3.40 an hour - but there are plenty of opportunities for you to increase your wage by working hard and building up your skills, be it that you find a job elsewhere afterwards, or are kept on and trained even further by the company you completed your apprenticeship with.
B _ By going to both work and college, you'll get double the amount of support than you would get just going to one or the other. The support from both your tutor and your colleagues will have you gain plenty of knowledge, putting in you in a positive position for the future.
C _ Apprenticeships are hard work when compared to school or college alone, but they're the ideal way to prepare yourself for the world of work, as well as putting you in the right place to build a successful career in your chosen field.
D _ As well as gaining a year or more worth of valuable work experience, you will also get a qualification at the end of it all. This qualification can open up several different career pathways - regardless of the apprenticeship you have chosen - and will always, always look great on your CV.
E _ Depending on where you live, there are all manner of apprenticeship courses for you to take part in - you're bound to find a subject that you will be keen to build a career in.
F _ You'll find learn-on-the-job apprenticeships for Plumbing, Hairdressing, Customer Service, and Health and Social Care, which are pretty commonplace, but some places may offer more obscure apprenticeships, such as Horticulture, Optical, and even Sea Fishing!
G _ There is one benefit that often lures people in! Unlike a university degree, there are no loans needed to undertake an apprenticeship. Seeing as you'll be earning money while you learn, there'll be absolutely nothing to pay back over the next 20 years.
H _ A lesser-known fact is apprentices can benefit from student discounts too! Seeing as you're still a student at college, it only makes sense that you should receive the same benefits that other college students do. The NUS Apprentice extra card - which can be purchased for a one-time cost of £11 - offers you discounts and special rates on everything from fashion websites, to days out, to doing the weekly shop.
I _ Just like any other job, apprenticeships offer paid holiday. It may vary by employer and job title, but the general rule is that you will be entitled to at least one and a half days' paid holiday for every month of work. So, if your apprenticeship lasts 12 months, you'll have 18 days of the year to yourself - as well as bank holidays.
