Introduction

An Apprenticeship is an opportunity to learn real vocational skills whilst earning a real wage.An Apprentice will work towards nationally recognised qualifications through a combination of on-the-job learning and day or block release (depending on the employer requirements and the training provider).  Both the Apprentice and their employer will be supported by a training provider throughout the Apprenticeship and there is often Government funding available to help pay for the training (depending on the age of the candidate). 

Recognised Apprenticeship frameworks exist in over 180 skill areas.  A framework will usually include a range of qualifications such as Functional Skills (formerly Key Skills), an NVQ or practical qualification and a Technical Certificate (a more theoretical qualification).  Apprenticeship frameworks and the qualifications they include are currently being reviewed under the new Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF).

An Apprenticeship can take between one and three and half years, depending on the qualifications studied and the vocational area.

Apprenticeships exist on 3 levels:
Apprenticeship – Level 2 – equivalent to about 5-8 GCSEs at grades A*-C
Advanced Apprenticeship – Level 3 – equivalent to 2/3 full A Levels
Higher Apprenticeship – Level 4/5 – currently being piloted and includes HNC, HNC or Foundation Degree

Progression after an Apprenticeship could be to a higher level Apprenticeship or to further academic/vocational study, including a full degree.

Who is it for?

Apprenticeships are open to all age groups above 16 years-old whether they are just leaving school, have been working for years or are seeking to start a new career.

Apprentices are banded into 3 age groups

• 16 -18 years
• 19 – 24 years
• 25+ years

Apprenticeships are open to anyone living in England, currently not in full-time education or not holding a university degree. There are no set entry requirements for Apprenticeships and they can differ in different vocational areas. Entry requirements are flexible because Apprenticeships are not just based on academic achievement. Employers value enthusiasm for work and a desire to learn, so practical skills and interest in the chosen area are very important.

There are over 190 types of Apprenticeships within a variety of industry sectors ranging from accountancy and engineering to veterinary nursing and floristry.
Apprenticeship funding is available from the National Apprenticeship Service (NAS). This is paid directly to the organisation that provides and supports the Apprenticeship; in most cases this will be a learning provider. Large employers with a direct contract with the National Apprenticeship Service may receive the funding themselves.

The size of the contribution from NAS varies depending on the sector and the age of the candidate. If the apprentice is aged 16–18 years old, they will receive 100 per cent of the cost of the training; if they are 19-24 years old, they will receive up to 50 per cent; if they are 25 years old or over they may only get a contribution depending on the sector and area. The remainder should be gained from the employer. The apprenticeship should not cost the learner anything.

Resources

ALPHI Careers Adviser Event

Guide to Apprenticehips 2011

Please click here to view the flyer for the forthcoming
Parents event being held at Fratton Park.

Please click here to view the flyer for the forthcoming
Parents event being held at The Rosebowl.

Case Studies
Katie Prowse 
Zoe Tee

Links

We have compiled a directory of useful websites for the different organisations who are associated with Apprenticeships.

www.apprenticeships.org.uk

Functional Skills Transition Arrangements Update – February 2010
Specification of Apprenticeship Standards for England (SASE)
Apprenticeship, Skills, Children & Learning Act – More Information

National Apprenticeship Service (NAS)
The main role of NAS is to work with employers, helping more of them take on apprentices; and to work with those who advise learners so that more young people and adults are able to benefit from the experience of work based learning.
www.apprenticeships.org

Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (DBIS)
The remit of DBIS covers post-19 learning, boosting take up of new technologies and delivering the skills businesses need.
http://www.dius.gov.uk

Department for Education (DFE)
DCSF is responsible for education and children's services.
http://www.education.gov.uk

Apprenticeship Ambassadors Network (AAN) 
This website supports the work of the Apprenticeships Task Force, which aims to ensure that the Apprenticeships programme responds to the changing needs of employers and young people.
http://www.employersforapprentices.gov.uk

Business Link
The Business Link website is an easy to use business support, advice and information service managed by the DTI.
http://www.businesslink.gov.uk

Connexions
A support service for young people aged 13 to 19 in England. Connexions can offer advice on anything from choosing the right courses and careers to drug abuse and homelessness.
http://www.connexions-direct.com

Functional Skills and Key Skills in Apprenticeships

From September 2010, Functional Skills in English and mathematics will replace the equivalent Key Skills qualifications as a mandatory component of all Apprenticeship frameworks.  However, to assist with transitional arrangements it has been announced* that Key Skills in Apprenticeship Frameworks will be extended until March 2011. This will allow providers and employers the choice of offering either Functional Skills or Key Skills until 31 March 2011. 

From 31 March 2011, Apprentices will be required to gain Functional Skills in English and mathematics (and ICT if required by the Apprenticeship framework) at a minimum of Level 1 for Apprenticeships and Level 2 for Advanced and Higher Apprenticeships.

There are no proxy qualifications for Functional Skills, however to ensure a smooth transition from Key Skills to Functional Skills, the Government is extending the relaxation rule that currently applies for Key Skills so that learners starting an Apprenticeship before September 2016 will satisfy the Apprenticeship requirement for the relevant Functional Skills qualification if they have achieved:

• Key Skills Communication at the equivalent level or GCSE English (Grades A* - C) or A level or AS Level English Language, English Literature, or English Language and Literature (Grades A – E)
• Key Skills Application of Number at the equivalent level or GCSE Mathematics (Grades A* - C) or A level or AS level Mathematics, Pure Mathematics, or Further Mathematics (Grades A - E),
• Key Skills ICT at the equivalent level or GCSE ICT (Grades A* - C) or A level or AS level ICT

within the previous five years and before September 2012.

*14 July 2010 http://nationalemployerservice.org.uk/news/story/extension-of-key-skills-for-apprenticeships/

Parents Events
Apprenticeship parents event flyer-0211

More Information

• Specification of Apprenticeship Standards for England (SASE)

http://www.apprenticeships.org.uk/About-Us/~/media/Documents/Publications/SASE-Specification.ashx

• Functional Skills Transition Arrangements Update – February 2010

http://www.qcda.gov.uk/resources/assets/FuncSkills_transition_arrangements_factsheet.pdf

 

Who to talk to?

Apprenticeship Training Ltd: www.apprenticeshiptraining.co.uk

Basingstoke College of Technology: www.bcot.ac.uk

Brockenhurst College: www.brock.ac.uk

Catch 22: www.catch-22.org.uk

Eastleigh College: www.eastleigh.ac.uk

Enham: www.enham.org.uk

Fareham College: www.fareham.ac.uk/k

Fareport Training Organisation Ltd: www.fareport.co.uk

Farnborough College of Technology: www.farn-ct.ac.uk

Highbury College: www.highbury.ac.uk

HTP Training: www.htp.uk.com

Paragon Skills For Industry: www.paragonskills.co.uk

Peta Ltd: www.peta.co.uk

Rathbone: www.rathboneuk.org

Southampton City College: www.southampton-city.ac.uk

Sparsholt College: www.sparsholt.ac.uk

The Isle of Wight College: www.iwightc.ac.uk/

Totton College: www.totton.ac.uk/

Waverley Training Services: www.waverley.gov.uk/wts/

Get in touch with us

If you are a provider and would like to become a member of ALPHI or have more information on the network, please fill in your details below.

If you are a partner or stakeholder and would like more information on how ALPHI can help you to identify training for your organisation, training for your clients or how ALPHI in other ways, please fill in your details below.