Apprenticeships

Apprenticeships – What are they?

Apprenticeships are aimed at those aged 16+, providing the opportunity to gain skills and qualifications by working and studying. Apprenticeships normally last between one and three years and there are two levels: Apprenticeships and Advanced Apprenticeships.

Apprenticeships are one of the key tools identified for the raising of skill levels nationally. They offer a ‘win win’ situation – employers raise the skills of their workplace to recognised standards, resulting in increased efficiency and lower costs. Young people gain ‘real’ paid work and receive training towards a nationally recognised qualification. Apprenticeships are proving valuable in many sectors of industry and commerce - in traditional areas as well as more contemporary professions.

Apprenticeships normally last between one and three years and there are two levels: Apprenticeships and Advanced Apprenticeships.

Both of them lead to:

• National Vocational Qualifications – providing practical skills in specific occupational areas
• key skills qualifications – transferable work related skills like IT, Communication, Application of Number, Teamwork, Problem Solving and Improving own Learning and Performance
• technical certificates – vocationally related qualifications that assess occupational knowledge and understanding

Benefits to the Business
Build skills for the future and motivates staff – these are just two of the benefits an Apprenticeship can bring to your business. The change you will see will be immediate because Apprentices work and learn at the same time. Other benefits include:

• training directly relevant to your organisation
• skills specific to your industry
• skills to cope with new technology and new markets
• staff retention
• tracking skills shortages
• increased staff confidence and morale

Benefits to the Apprentice

• real work, real pay

Getting paid whilst learning might sound too good to be true - but with an Apprenticeship that is exactly what happens. Combining hands-on experience with the qualifications gained by studying, provides the best of both worlds.

Throughout the programme both employer and apprentice will receive full support and guidance from experienced County Training staff.

How much does it cost and how much will does an apprentice earn?

The amount an apprentice earns depends on the employer, as an apprentice you must be paid at least £84 per week. However, this may vary dependant on the sector worked in,age and what stage the individual is in the apprenticeship.

How employers can become involved

If you already employ staff aged 16 +, they may be eligible for the Government funded training the Apprenticeship provides. Alternatively County Training can draw up a short list of potential apprentices for you to interview, and once you have made the selection they can join the programme.

Download the attachment to find out what Managers have said about their apprentices.
There is also further information under the publications section, concerning the benefits of apprenticeships.

What areas of apprenticeships are there?

Apprenticeships are available in over 80 different sectors of industry and commerce, for County Training offers training in the following occupational areas:

Administration
Customer service
Children's Care Learning and Development
Retail
Hairdressing
Health and Social Care
Hospitality and catering
Playwork
Teaching assistant
Team leading
Warehousing, storage and distribution
Working with children and young people
ITQ
IT Practitioner
IT Professional

How does an apprenticeship work?

Apprenticeships are a combination of on-the-job and off-the job training. When at work, the apprentice will be working alongside a mentor who will assist with learning in the workplace. When off-the-job, the individual will be working towards achieving an NVQ at either level 2 or 3.
County Training provides an apprentice with two members of staff to support and advise throughout the apprenticeship. A Training Advisor will be assigned to the young person, making sure that the learner is happy in their placement and that they are progressing with their qualification. An assessor is also assigned, who will assess the learner in the workplace and the qualification being achieved.
Throughout an apprenticeship with County Training, support, guidance and advice is offered at all times.