I Want an Apprenticeship
The Good News
There is now a real push to promote apprenticeships as the country needs people trained with the right skills for the future. Have you seen Sir Alan Sugar’s advertisements?
Our world is changing – we all need more skills than ever before. Two out of three jobs in the future will require higher level skills and better qualifications. The number of unskilled jobs is falling. Learning a new skill or gaining a new qualification could be a step in the right direction towards establishing a career, earning more money, finding a job or simply improving your confidence and self-esteem.
What is an Apprenticeship?
An apprenticeship is a job with training which leads to a recognised qualification. So you will be paid while you learn new skills in the workplace as well as completing qualifications.
Apprentices are employed and paid whilst they train. There are two levels of employer-led apprenticeship. Apprenticeships are available at Level 2 and Advanced Apprenticeships lead to a level 3 qualification. Some apprenticeships also offer a technical certificate, such as BTEC or City and Guilds (C & G) or other qualifications as specified by a particular occupation.
Progression from Apprenticeships
- Apprenticeships to Advanced Apprenticeships
- Advanced Apprenticeships to Foundation degrees
- Diplomas to Apprenticeships/Advanced Apprenticeships and vice versa
What kinds of Apprenticeship are available?
There are over 180 occupation specific apprenticeships on offer. Each has a detailed framework of skills and knowledge required, set out by the relevant Sector Skills Council. Not all are available throughout the country and each will have different entry requirements
They include: food and drink; administration and human resources; health care and public services; childcare, learning and development; hospitality and travel; customer service and retail; electrical and engineering; financial services; hair and beauty; sport and fitness; construction.
How am I assessed?
That depends on the employer, who will decide the best place for you to do your job specific training…..
- You might attend college – one day a week
- You might attend college for a block of several weeks at a time
- You might attend college for a whole year
- You might be assessed on the job where you will be visited at work by an assessor
- You are likely to be working towards National Vocational Qualifications (NVQs)
- You will also be assessed on key skills of Communication, Application of Number and IT
- You may do a Technical Certificate e.g. C & G Plumbing, First Aid, Food Hygiene Certificate
Things to Think About
Plus Points
- Money – you will be paid a wage
- Training – you will get a qualification
- Fees for training – paid by government
- Experience – you will get valuable skills through hands on work experience
Possible Minus points
- You may not be able to choose the college where you will study
- You may be tied to one company to complete your apprenticeship – but this may be an advantage in a recessionary period
- You will have to complete coursework and evidence for an NVQ portfolio
- You may have to travel outside your local area to work and study
- You may have to go to a college for block release of several weeks away from your home town. Your employer would pay for you to stay in hotel accommodation on a weekly basis during this part of your training
When to Apply
The best advice is to start early. If you are in Year 11, start finding out about apprenticeships and application dates as soon as possible. The same applies if you are in Years 12, 13 or 14. Some apprenticeships, such as engineering, start in the Summer after the end of term so that you can start college in September. Others, such as hairdressing, may start at any time in the year. And an Apprenticeship may take between one to three years to complete.
How Much Do I Get Paid?
It varies and will depend upon the industry you are working in as well as the particular employer. From August 2009 the minimum pay laid down by the Government is £95 per week. You will work a maximum of 40 hours a week. The Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills Apprentices Pay Survey in 2007 showed the average apprentice’s net pay was £170 per week
. "Last year we referred the exemption of apprentices from the National Minimum Wage to the Low Pay Commission. Today the average apprentice is paid over £170 a week. Without prejudicing the work of the Low Pay Commission, I am announcing today that in England, minimum apprenticeship pay will rise from £80 to £95 per week during next year. It will be young women - apprentices like those in hairdressing and care - who will benefit most."
Skills Secretary, John Denham - 9 September 2008
How to get an Apprenticeship
Apply by Registering on the National Apprenticeship Matching website
- www.apprenticeships.org.uk - This allows you to search for the apprenticeship you are looking for and then apply online
- Or try another new site www.londonapprenticeship.co.uk
- Go to Kingston Connexions Centre and speak to a Personal Adviser
- Check out job vacancies on My Choice - My Choice
- Use the Job Centre vacancy website - www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk
- Look at job adverts in papers and trade magazines
- Register with employment agencies
- Network and use all your contacts – make sure family and friends know the kind of apprenticeship you are looking for
- Contact employers direct – use Yellow Pages www.yell.com for addresses and send out letters or emails to the HR department with your up to date cv. This can be checked by Connexions Personal Advisers at the Kingston Centre.
If you feel confident, and it is safe and appropriate, you could visit employers in person
Finding an apprenticeship takes time, effort and motivation
Preparation is essential for success. Don’t give up!
We wish you every success
Kingston Connexions
Argyll House
23 Brook Street
Kingston
KT1 2BN
Tel: 0208 082 6840