Andy is studying a Financial Services Apprenticeship and works at RSA Group.

Why did you choose an Apprenticeship?

I chose an Apprenticeship because I wanted the opportunity to actually work within a real business whilst I complete my studies. I went to university in September 2015 and after several months I made the decision that I wasn't ready for it yet. After leaving, I started to look for Apprenticeships that would suit me. Not only do you get the opportunity to experience the workplace, but you're also earning and learning at the same time, which means you're getting paid to develop yourself and your transferable skills for the future.

How do you balance work with studying?

I've been studying wherever I can, either on my commute or if I want to get some extra study time in I'll plan ahead and book some time out at work.

I've found that a lot of what we study in the Chartered Insurance Institute (CII) qualification, I can directly relate to in my current job. This has helped me remember a lot of what we've being studying as we've been using it in real cases and scenarios.

How has Kaplan helped you?

Kaplan have helped from the very get go when I was attending the assessment centre for my current role. They gave me tips on how to stand out from other applicants and got me interview ready after just a few phone calls, which helped to give me confidence.

Kaplan has also helped me in all other aspects since then. They support me with my study and my adviser visits every few weeks to discuss how I'm doing and any queries or concerns I have, which is fantastic.

What would be your advice for anyone considering an Apprenticeship?

Think long and hard about all your options. For me, leaving university in search of an Apprenticeship has proved to be one of the best decisions I've ever made. The life experiences you get from being in the workplace are invaluable and you can't put a price on their importance in developing as a person.