Alex Davies is an apprentice at 3173 - a UK firm of pensions experts with clients throughout the UK, including in Belfast. He explains why the apprenticeship route has been the ideal option for him.

From quite early on, I knew that full-time university wasn’t for me. As I headed into sixth year at St Louis in Ballymena, I had already talked to my parents about not wanting to go to full-time higher education option and was weighting up other possibilities. Workplus delivered a talk to sixth years, and the ‘earn and learn’ apprenticeship route resonated with me.

I applied through Workplus to 3173. I hadn’t heard of the company before, but it looked interesting. I found it so appealing – the prospect of hands-on experience, no student fees, uni one day a week and a full-time salary. 

Since my first day, it has been great, and I know I’ve made the right choice. Even in my interview at 3173, I had such a warm welcome, and that has continued into my apprenticeship. 

Each day is interesting, and I feel that my work is making a positive difference to people’s lives. The team I work in has been appointed by the Pensions Regulator to support people who have been impacted by pension fraud and ensure they get the necessary assistance. I feel like my work is very worthwhile and I’m helping people.

I’ve already had amazing opportunities to develop my skills and have been given specific roles and responsibilities on projects. It’s stretched me and developed me, and I know I wouldn’t have grown professionally and personally the way I have, if I had opted for the full-time uni route. Being part of such an inclusive and warm culture had been fantastic and my colleagues are keen to see me progress.

It’s fulfilling work and my course at Ulster University is also very interesting. One day a week, I attend university and I am taking the Level 6 (Higher Level Apprenticeship) Leading Customer Operations degree course. There are about 90 people on the course so it’s great to meet other apprentices across a variety of companies.

People sometimes think that doing an apprenticeship can mean you miss out on a social life. I don’t agree. I’m meeting so many new people through my uni course and at work.

My colleagues at 3173 have been very supportive and, even though there’s an age gap with some of my colleagues, we have great work nights out and socialise together.

The financial freedom in doing an apprenticeship is a real plus – having no uni fees and earning a salary. There’s a lot of satisfaction in earning your own money.  I did buy a car recently… I should probably save a bit more but there’s time for that!

I always recommend apprenticeships to people who are thinking about what do to after school. They are competitive so it’s worth taking time to put in a strong application.

When I was invited to interview, I was glad I had researched the company well and prepped for some questions I thought I may be asked. I stayed calm in the interview and didn’t waffle which I think helped me secure my apprenticeship.

My older brother is also now doing an apprenticeship which he found through Workplus. It’s a clear application process and well explained. I don’t think I would ever have found my apprenticeship at 3173 without Workplus.

3173 have multiple apprenticeship opportunities in the current Jan/Feb 2025 campaign. Check them out at https://campaigns.workplus.app/jan-2025/opportunities?employer[0]=153