Etc. Apprenticeship Guide 2024

Apprenticeship Guide

Welcome

So, you’re thinking about becoming an apprentice?

That’s great, an apprenticeship is a great next step for many reasons and we are really pleased that you are considering an apprenticeship with one of the Education Training Collective colleges or training centres.

This handy guide will give you the information you need to help you make the decision about whether an apprenticeship is right for you, it contains important stuff about what apprenticeship is and is not, details about pay and employment rights, the entry requirements, how we ensure you are treated fairly and safely, and how you can access guidance from a team of student support and careers professionals who want to help you on your journey to achieving your personal and career ambitions.

So, this is a great start – read on to find out more…

About the Education Training Collective

The Education Training Collective (Etc.) is a group of vibrant colleges and training providers offering high quality educational opportunities. Incorporating Bede Sixth Form College, Innersummit, NETA Training, Redcar and Cleveland College, Stockton Riverside College and The Skills Academy, the Etc. delivers a full range of courses, training and apprenticeship opportunities to learners aged 14 to adult, as well as professional and commercial courses.

We aim to create greater opportunities for all of our students and communities by equipping people with the skills to help them in to employment, raise aspirations and meet the economic demands of the region.

Why Should You Consider an Apprenticeship?

Earn a salary whilst gaining valuable work skills.

Develop your skills, knowledge and behaviours to specialise in your chosen field and stand out from the crowd.

Develop strong working relationships with employers to broaden your career prospects.

Increase your future earning potential.

Can open up possibilities, aligned to your career aspirations and develop you as an individual.

Apprenticeships Explained

What is an apprenticeship?

An apprenticeship is a real job where you learn, gain experience and get paid. By the end of an apprenticeship, you’ll have the right skills and knowledge needed for your chosen career.

Entry requirements

Generally, you need a good standard of maths and English at GCSE level –but if you haven’t quite got the grades,

we can help you with this…read the additional development section. We will talk this all through with you at your initial assessment and outline any further support you may need.

As a minimum, to be an apprentice, you must:

• Be at least 16

• Be a UK resident

• Be employed to complete an apprenticeship

How long does it take?

It can take between one and 6 years to complete an apprenticeship depending on which one you choose, what level it is and your previous experience. The duration will be agreed between you, your employer and your assessor.

Will I have to attend college?

Depending on the apprenticeship you have chosen, you may be required to attend college weekly. This will be discussed with you upon application and at interview stage, you can also ask further questions when you meet your assessor. Apprenticeships are about upskilling an individual, and achieving the standards needed for your chosen pathway take time and effort – but it’s all worth it!

How will I be assessed?

Throughout your apprenticeship you will be visited in the workplace by your assessor.

This is an individual assigned to you to support you through your apprenticeship and give you any advice that you may need. Apprenticeships now include an end-point assessment (we sometimes call this an EPA) which varies depending on the apprenticeship but could include:

• A multiple-choice short answer test

• An observation of practice which is undertaken in the workplace

• A learning journal to reflect on the last three months of your apprenticeship

• A presentation

You will be supported throughout the process every step of the way by your assessor.

If your apprenticeship does not involve an end-point assessment, you will be assessed in the workplace by your allocated assessor

How much will I be paid?

As an apprentice, you will be entitled to a minimum wage which is determined by your age and which stage you are at in your apprenticeship.

The minimum wage is reviewed annually by the government when all minimum wage rates are reviewed. Some employers pay a higher rate than the minimum rate set by government, but this is entirely up to them. Please visit: www.gov.uk/become-apprentice/payand-conditions for more information.

You will be informed of your hourly rate when you apply for your apprenticeship. Did you know… apprentices are entitled to a minimum of 20 days annual leave, plus bank holidays!

Additional Development

If you do not hold GCSEs in maths and English, or cannot provide certificated evidence of having achieved these, you will need to complete functional skills as part of your apprenticeship.

Functional Skills are the English and maths skills that individuals need to operate confidently, effectively and independently – in education, in life and in work.

Apprenticeships at the Etc.

The Etc. is a group of colleges and training providers including Bede Sixth Form College, Innersummit, NETA Training, Redcar and Cleveland College, Stockton Riverside College and The Skills Academy – and together, our colleges work with hundreds of employers right across the region.

This means that if you are looking for an apprenticeship in a specific sector, there is a good chance we can help you secure the start to your dream career with apprenticeship from one of our sites.

We offer apprenticeships from level 2 to level 7 in the following sectors:

• Business and Professional industries

• Care

• Construction

• Digital and Creative Media

• Hair and Beauty

• Education

• Logistics

• Motor Vehicle

• Engineering

• Clean Energy

• Plumbing and Gas

• Electrical

• Customer Service …and many more!

The Etc. Apprenticeship Process

1

Interview and Initial Assessment

We will then make sure you are applying for the right apprenticeship level and sector, tailored to your own career objectives.

2

Induction

You will be supported with enrolment and induction training by both your employer and your college provider.

3

Individual Learning Plan

Working together with your employer, we will agree an Individual Learning Plan (ILP) which will reflect the outcome of your initial assessment and will set out your learning objectives and milestones, and how development of relevant Knowledge, Skills, Behaviours and Attitudes (KSBAs) will be achieved.

4

Off-the-Job Training

20% of your working week must be spent on ‘off the job’ training. This can be at college, in the workplace or self-directed and can include formal training, online training, project work and research. There is something to suit every learner and it is aimed at giving you the best experience to develop your KSBAs, and further enhance your career options for the future.

Three months before the end of your rememberapprenticeship, to book an appointment with the careers coordinator to think about and plan you next steps.

5 DON’T FORGET!

Reviews

The will also discuss equality, health and safety and safeguarding, as well as ask you about how things are going generally and if you still feel that your apprenticeship matches with your career goals.

The Learner Journey

Induction/ Enrolment

1

BKSB initial assessment where no previous English or maths qualifications held Already got an employer lined up?

Applying to one of our apprenticeship vacancies?

On Programme

Initial and subsequent workshops / training to develop Knowledge, Skills, Behaviours and Attitudes (KSBAs)

Managing progress

Plan 10-12 week review dates with learner and employer

Interview and initial assessment to ensure that your skills and career goals match the apprenticeship you have applied for

Workplace visits every 6-8 weeks throughout the programme

Discuss and review progress and development of KSBAs

Carry out any planned 1-1/ assessment

Discuss how learning has been applied in the workplace

Full enrolment (Commitment Statement, App Agreement)

Map completed assessment activity to the performance outcomes

Provide verbal feedback on all completed assessments and progress

Full programme induction including introduction to E-Portfolio Smart Assessor

Full programme overview, Apprenticeship Standard

Learner reviews and agrees initial action plan, next visit/learning date agreed

Plan for next steps in learning using the gap analysis

Initial learning session completed

Record all learning activity (20% ‘off the job’), feedback on portfolio

Plan and agree ongoing SMART targets and progress towards achievement or gateway Discuss equality and diversity, health and safety, Prevent and Safeguarding, as well as ongoing career match.

Discuss application of skills, knowledge and behaviours observed by the employer

Equality, Diversity and Safeguarding

The Equality Act 2010 legally protects people from discrimination in the workplace and in wider society and at the Education Training Collective, we are committed to ensuring that every member of our staff and student body is protected from discrimination, receives equal and fair treatment, and is protected from harm.

Equality and Diversity

The Etc. aims to ensure that none of its learners, members of staff or visitors receive less favourable treatment on the grounds of gender, gender identity, race, ethnic origin, skin colour, learning difficulty, disability, mental or physical health status, sexual orientation, marital status, age, class or religion. We also require all employers working with our colleges and training centres to promote equal access sand ensure no learners receive less favourable treatment on the grounds outlined above.

Your assessor will ask you about equality and diversity at each review and if you are experiencing any problems please let them know immediately. You also have a personal responsibility as an employee to treat people fairly and with respect. It is the responsibility of your employer to operate an equal opportunities policy which meets all legal requirements.

Safeguarding

As an Etc. apprentice, we have a responsibility to protect you from any potential harm – whether you are in the workplace or studying at one of our sites. If you have any concerns and/or feel uncomfortable with the behaviour of a tutor, fellow apprentice, employer, work colleague, customer or visitor (or anyone else you can think of), you can speak to your assessor who will put you in contact with a member of the Safeguarding team.

If you are unable to contact your assessor and need someone urgently, you can use the details below to contact Safeguarding support at any time or emailing safe@the-etc.ac.uk.

Alice Reid Stockton Riverside College 07970 982 324

Rachel O’Riordan Bede Sixth Form College and Innersummit 07590 864 913

Katie Todd NETA Training 07792 475 888

Tracy Williams Redcar and Cleveland College 07702 515 472

Sue Everton Group Head of Student Support and Wellbeing Designated Safeguarding Lead sue.everton@the-etc.ac.uk

Health and Safety

As an apprentice of a company, and therefore an employee, you have a right to feel safe and happy in your working environment, and not be exposed to any dangerous situations. Your employer has to meet health and safety guidelines by law, and must make sure that you are given adequate training in work-related health and safety.

Your employer also has the responsibility to remove, or repair any hazards in your workplace, and give you the means to be safe when you are working offsite. When you start your apprenticeship, ITEC North East will require your employer to provide you with health and safety training and make you aware of any potential dangers –and how to avoid them and manage any associated risk.

The content and amount of health and safety training will vary, depending on your job role. In some environments, such as factories or building sites, there may be more dangerous hazards than in places such as offices.

If this is your first experience of work and/or you have never received health and safety training, your employer will cover this as part of your induction – if you have any concerns about this, you can discuss with your employer or your assessor.

Your employer has a legal responsibility to:

• Hold employer’s liability insurance

• Provide you with induction training which specifically covers health and safety

• Operate a formal Health and Safety policy and undertake the necessary legal and contractual responsibilities for the health and safety of apprentices

• Notify The Education Training Collective immediately of any major injury or disease that falls under the scope of RIDDOR (Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013) –providing clear and full information

What Happens After Your Apprenticeship?

On completion of your apprenticeship, there may be opportunity to progress to the next level – for example, from an intermediate apprenticeship (level 2) to an advanced apprenticeship (level 3). However, this is dependent on both your job role and your employer.

You may choose to progress into a different area altogether, or be ready to move into higher education, onto a higher-level apprenticeship or into full time employment – in all instances, your assessor will be able to provide careers education, information, advice and guidance to support you.

Alternatively book an appointment with the Etc. careers team to discuss the wide range of options that are available to you and to discuss your next steps. Or contact the Etc. Business Development team on 01642 865 557 or anna.reeves@the-etc.ac.uk.

How We’ll Support You on Your Apprenticeship Journey

As an Etc. apprentice, you get access to the services and support as all of our students – these include:

Expert Assessor

You’ll be assigned your own assessor who will support you through your apprenticeship. All our assessors are experts in their field so can give you the support and advice that you need.

Student Wellbeing Team

Our Student Support and Wellbeing team has officers based across all Etc. colleges and training centres, and they can help you with a range of different services including wellbeing, safeguarding, signposting to other supports for example financial, physical and mental health, transport and travel –and much more.

Student Union

If you would like to have your say and represent your fellow students, then why not get involved with our Student Union? The SU works alongside our Student Support and Wellbeing team, helping at events, promoting activities and engaging others in enrichment activities including clubs and societies. Whatever your interest or hobby, if you want to arrange activities or just want to meet like-minded individuals – give us a shout and we will help you on your way.

Careers Education

The Etc. careers team has an careers coordinator based at Bede Sixth Form College, Redcar and Cleveland College and Stockton Riverside College, with a Careers Clinic offered at NETA Training Group too – which means you are never far away from a careers professional, and they are here for you when you need them for everything from UCAS applications, CV creation support, interview preparation or even just a general careers discussion!

Our college group holds the Matrix Standard accreditation which confirms the outstanding, comprehensive and impartial careers education delivered

And there’s more at our

FREE parking

FREE access to our Learning Resource Centres

FREE laptop on loan to study at home

FREE support with UCAS applications

FREE access to academic, online resources

FREE Wi-Fi

by our team and our embedded careers programme meets the Gatsby Good Career Guidance benchmarks.

In addition to 1-to-1 careers appointments, the careers team operates a Virtual Learning Environment which you can access remotely – this contains loads of employer videos, resources, labour market intelligence and other helpful information, they also create a termly newsletter which will land in your college inbox every term, and arrange sectorspecific sessions where you can take part in online sessions where individuals give a short talk about their career journey and finish with a Q&A segment, these are also recorded and uploaded to the VLE so you can view them when its more convenient.

campuses

...

FREE gym access*

FREE Use of iPads, laptops, cameras and video cameras

FREE print credits

FREE careers advice and guidance

FREE Microsoft Office

FREE access to Unidays and TOTUM by NUS Extra giving you access to the best discounts in the best retail and leisure outlets’

To find out more about our latest offers and discounts please call 01642 865 566 or email studentservices@stockton.ac.uk.

*Subject to change. Conditions may apply.

And There’s More...

Tutorials

Alongside your apprenticeship, you will take part in regular tutorials. We want you to not only successfully complete your qualification but also to develop the skills to make informed choices and become a well-rounded citizen. Through your assessor and the college team, we will make sure you have everything you need complete mandatory and voluntary tutorials.

Careers and Progression Fairs

These events feature sessions with a wide range of university and apprenticeship representatives, and there is the opportunity to speak with employers too, so you can further explore the world of work after education. Our staff will also be available to discuss progression within your college or training centre, and the importance of continuing your further education. We have a range of different routes available, right up to higher education at some of our group colleges. This event will give you all the information you need to make an informed decision about your next steps.

Show a Little

Respect

We believe in respect. This means looking outside of your everyday life and showing respect and understanding for all those around you. We celebrate respect for all with an annual festival, sharing cultures and experiences, with a focus on promoting equality, diversity and inclusion across our whole college group.

Be Kind

We know that walking into a college, or starting a new job and being surrounded by new people can seem pretty daunting. That is why we encourage a year-round culture of kindness. It doesn’t have to mean going out of your way to do something big. Often the simplest acts of kindness can make the biggest difference. So, whether it’s offering a smile, holding a door or saying a quick thanks, remember to always Be Kind.

Find an Apprenticeship

Research

Visit our college open events to speak to tutors and education experts – they can help you figure out what you like, don’t like and where your areas of interest may lie. When you have an idea of what industry you may like to work in, conduct research online to find out more about the businesses in your local area. College careers teams can help signpost you to good websites, but the National Apprenticeship Service and Tees Valley Careers are great websites to start with! Create yourself a list of employers you may wish to work with as you do your research.

Prepare

Now you have your list of employers, it’s time to think about reaching out – don't forget to get your CV ready (we can help you with that!) Be prepared to tell them how awesome you are, and what you can do for an employer!

Go for it

You've done your research and now it's time to speak to employers, they love it when you do that! Show initiative and get in touch with them by email, phone, or in person. Make sure you are polite and have planned what you are going to say, and if you are meeting in person, make sure you look the part.

What's next?

Let us know if you have successfully secured an apprenticeship. If not, keep trying and check the our college websites and the National Apprenticeship Service website for vacancies. Keep in touch with us, because we will hold your details on our database and actively seek an apprenticeship to fit your needs.