The GRIT (Growth, Resilience, Initiative and Tenacity) Programme is aimed at motivated students who are interested in applying for competitive and oversubscribed higher and degree apprenticeships after completing their studies at Worcester Sixth Form College. These opportunities are highly sought after and require students to demonstrate not only strong potential, but also the professional skills and behaviours employers value most.
Worcester Sixth Form College has an excellent reputation for preparing students for their next steps through careers education, employer engagement and personalised guidance. The GRIT Programme builds on this support by giving students structured, practical preparation for the demands of competitive apprenticeship recruitment.
This is an enrichment course for one lesson per week, open to students studying any course combination. Students typically join the programme in Year 1 (from February) and continue through to December of Year 2, allowing time to develop skills, confidence and readiness for real recruitment processes.
The GRIT Programme will help you to:
- Become informed about higher and degree apprenticeship opportunities and employer expectations
- Make yourself a strong and competitive applicant
- Develop the growth mindset, resilience, initiative and tenacity that employers consistently look for
Through employer-led sessions, work experience opportunities, motivation coaches and input from entrepreneurs, students gain insight into the world of work and the realities of apprenticeship recruitment. The programme also provides practical support with applications, alongside practice interviews and mock assessment centres, helping students build confidence, professionalism and impact.
We aim to challenge and inspire students to achieve their very best, to support them in securing ambitious apprenticeship pathways and to help them develop the skills and mindset needed to succeed in a professional environment.
The GRIT Programme complements additional enrichment opportunities including Academies, Professional Programmes and the Extended Project.
Apprenticeship Success
We are delighted to introduce Liyang, a year 2 student who has secured a Degree Apprenticeship with JP Morgan, a Wealth Management company serving corporations and individuals in more than 100 countries. Liyang, who studies Economics, Maths and Further Maths A Levels applied for this degree apprenticeship as it allows him to gain a fully funded degree while also developing real, hands-on experience in a professional environment.
Liyang has provided an overview of the efforts he needed to go to in the course of being offered the apprenticeship which shows the commitment needed for such competitive opportunities. Liyang said that after submitting a CV and cover letter, he was invited to complete two 30-minute online interviews with senior associates, focused on his motivation, skills, and understanding of the role. He then attended an in-person assessment centre and networking session which involved Liyang preparing by researching JP Morgan in detail, understanding its values and business areas, practising interview questions, and reflecting on his experiences to demonstrate key skills such as communication, teamwork, and problem-solving.
The degree apprenticeship will involve Liyang working full-time at JP Morgan while studying towards a BSc in Applied Finance with the University of Exeter. Alongside this, he will also be completing the AAT Level 4 qualification. Liyang says he is most looking forward to gaining real-world experience in a professional financial services environment, learning from colleagues with a wide range of expertise, and being able to apply his academic learning directly to my work. In the long term, he hopes to build a successful career within the financial services industry, progressing into roles with greater responsibility where he can make a meaningful contribution.