Apprenticeships
Working as an Apprentice Earn while you learn Great employers Great opportunities Great prospects Apprenticeships deliver
What is an Apprenticeship? Why be an Apprentice? How do I start? An Apprenticeship is a job with training, providing the chance to ‘earn and learn’ in a wide range of jobs and sectors, giving you the chance to develop skills, experience and qualifications. To become an Apprentice you need to find an Apprentice job with an employer. You can look for your job on websites, in newspapers, or by contacting employers in the usual way or you can register and search the National Apprenticeship Service website. (www.apprenticeships.org.uk) Apprenticeships are more than just qualifications; they are an excellent way of gaining workplace experience, understanding how a business works, improving personal and social skills and advancing in your career.
Levels of Apprenticeships There are currently three different levels of Apprenticeships: Intermediate Level Apprenticeships (Level 2) - equivalent to five A*– C GCSEs. Apprentices work towards a work-based learning qualification such as an NVQ Level 2, Functional Skills and, in most cases, a relevant knowledge-based technical certificate. Advanced Level Apprenticeships (Level 3) – equivalent to two A levels. Advanced apprentices work towards a work-based learning qualification such as an NVQ Level 3, Functional Skills and, in most cases, a relevant knowledge-based technical certificate. Higher Apprenticeships. (Level 4 and above) Higher apprentices work towards a work-based learning qualification such as an NVQ Level 4, Functional Skills and, in some cases, a relevant knowledge-based qualification such as a Foundation Degree.
Who can be an Apprentice? How long do they last? Apprenticeships are open to anyone over 16 years old - whether you are just leaving school, have been working for years and want to develop new skills or are seeking to start a new career. Apprenticeships can take between one and four years to complete depending on the level of Apprenticeship and the industry sector.
What training and qualifications do Apprenticeships give? As well as ‘on the job’ training to learn the skills required for your job, as an Apprentice you will gain the following qualifications: zz A competency-based qualification, such as an NVQ, which proves that you are able to demonstrate the skills, trade or occupation of the Apprenticeship. This must be achieved in order to qualify for an Apprenticeship certificate zz A technical certificate, such as a BTEC, to show you understand the underpinning theory or knowledge relating to the Apprenticeship. Sometimes an Apprenticeship framework may have an integrated qualification that combines competence and technical knowledge elements in which each element is separately assessed. zz Functional Skills qualifications. (e.g. Maths and English, sometimes ICT) zz Employment Rights and Responsibilities (ERR) in the workplace. Every Apprentice is required to demonstrate that they know and understand the range of employer and employee statutory rights and responsibilities under employment law. These include health and safety and equality and diversity procedures. zz Personal Learning and Thinking Skills. (PLTS) – essential skills for work, learning and life in general. The PLTS framework comprises six groups of skills that, together with the Functional Skills of English, Mathematics and ICT will prepare learners to confidently enter work and adult life as confident and capable individuals. The six groups of skills are independent enquiry, creative thinking, reflective learning, team working, self-managing and effective participating.
Who trains me and where? Some Apprentices will complete all of their training and qualifications in the workplace (workbased). Others will be required to attend College one day per week (day release). This will depend on the Apprenticeship framework/subject. In the workplace you will have an allocated supervisor or mentor. In addition, you will have an assigned tutor/assessor who will guide you through your qualifications, either at College (if you are completing a day release Apprenticeship) or by visiting you in the workplace. It is the employer’s responsibility to provide sufficient ‘on the job’ training for the Apprentice to learn the skills required for the job. It is also the employer’s responsibility to work with the assessor to provide appropriate tasks for the Apprentice to complete so they can evidence their work for their Apprenticeship.
In the workplace: Contract and Apprenticeship Agreement As an Apprentice you should have a contract of employment. Your contract should cover areas such as: zz Working time zz Pay zz Health and Safety zz Holidays zz Protection from discrimination An Apprentice should be employed for a minimum of 30 hours per week and should be employed for at least the length of the Apprenticeship. Your paid contracted hours should include the hours you are attending study, whether that is day release to the College or tutorial appointments in the workplace. You must have an ‘Apprenticeship Agreement’ which states that you will be undertaking an Apprenticeship in a particular skill, trade or occupation. This can be written into your contract; however it will also be included in your East Kent College enrolment form.
How much should an Apprentice get paid? Pay rates vary between sectors and different employers and the amount paid to Apprentices, as for all employees, is negotiated with the employer. There is an Apprenticeship National Minimum wage in the UK which applies to all Apprentices aged 16 to 18, and to those aged 19 in the first year of their Apprenticeship. The current rate for Apprentices is £2.68 per hour. If you are aged 19 or over and have already completed the first year of your Apprenticeship, you are entitled to the National Minimum Wage for your age group.
Apprenticeship Frameworks offered at East Kent College zz Accounting zz Bricklaying
zz Laboratory & Science Technicians
zz Business Administration
zz Learning & Development
zz Carpentry
zz Maintenance Operations
zz Children & Young People’s Workforce
zz Management
zz Cleaning & Support Services
zz Painting & Decorating
zz Customer Service
zz Plastering
zz Electrical Installation
zz Retail
zz Engineering
zz Sign-making
zz Health & Social Care
zz Supporting Teaching & Learning
zz Hospitality & Catering
zz Team Leading
zz IT Users
zz Motor Vehicle
Employer Relations 01843 605009 employerrelations@eastkent.ac.uk www.eastkent.ac.uk
Content correct at time of going to print, December 2013