The Young Apprenticeship Programme is a new two year programme supported by the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) and the Department for Education and Skills (DfES). It is aimed at able and motivated 14-16-year-old pupils who would like the chance to experience working life in industry in a supported way. The programme is aimed at those pupils who are expected to achieve GCSE grades A* to C.
It will enable you and your organisation to become involved in shaping the workforce, by offering pupils between the ages of 14 and 16 the chance to get a taste of the industry alongside their school studies.
The Collective, through its members, has since 2005 successfully ran Young Apprenticeship Programmes in Business Administration and Engineering
What’s in it for you?
Bringing new talent into the company is just as important for the future of the economy as it is for your success.
As an employer you need to attract high calibre, well-motivated apprentices who will gain skills and qualifications and contribute to your success. But in recent years these recruits have proved hard to find and, sometimes, even more difficult to keep.
Nationally Apprenticeship programmes have been missing out on some of the most motivated and able young people, often due to a lack of understanding in schools and families about the opportunities apprenticeships can offer.
The Collective aims to change this.
What’s your involvement?
You could make a vital contribution to the success of the programme, by offering work experience placements, sponsoring events or accompanying pupils on visits to sites, meetings, suppliers and manufacturers.
The time the young people spend with companies may be through block release of a week or more at a time or by day release spread over the school term.
The Collective will provide you with support and will give you information on areas such as insurance and what to do regarding child protection. The pupils may come as individuals or as part of a group, as suits you best.
Whilst the Collective can suggest pupils who are thought suitable for your workplace, you will have the right to say who you will take. On arrival, pupils should already be aware of good practice in health and safety and have acquired some basic understanding of the industry, enabling them to make a contribution during their placements.
To participate in the programme you would be required to:
• provide an induction session when pupils first join you
• describe your company and the type of work you do
• give pupils the opportunity to work on tasks under supervision, to solve problems, work shadow or undertake a project which supports the Young Apprenticeship programme
• evaluate pupils during their time with you and provide feedback on their progress to the college/school
• help them to understand what makes an effective team
• help them gain a thorough knowledge of the industry
What are the benefits?
By supporting the Young Apprenticeship Programme you will:
• get a first in-depth look at potential entrants to the industry
• be in a position to offer Apprenticeships to promising young people
• possibly save on normal recruitment costs
• raise your profile amongst local schools with pupils, teachers and parents
How does the programme work?
The two Young Apprenticeship programmes are currently ran by a local partnership consisting of a number of Gateshead Schools – Kingsmeadow, St Thomas More Schools and ……….., a number of Collective members Access Training, ITEC North East and TDR Training, a number of employers, in conjunction with Learning and Skills Council (LSC) North East.
Throughout the programme pupils remain the responsibility of their school at all times and will continue to follow the National Curriculum, when they study a range of GCSEs, including English, maths, science and information technology (ICT).
For an average of two days a week they will spend time on the Young Apprenticeship programme working towards a vocational qualification at level 2 in Business Administration or Engineering.
During this time they will complete 50 days’ work experience and have the opportunity to gain experience in a variety of practical situations, at learning providers and within businesses. – so they will get to know the industry from the inside. This is why your involvement is so important.
On completion of the programme it is hoped that at least half of the pupils will be so impressed by what they have seen that they will make a well-informed choice to progress to be Apprentices in the business and/or engineering sectors.
There is however no obligation for them to do so. Some may decide to switch career or carry on in full-time education for A-Levels.
Whatever choice they make, they will have benefited by widening their horizons, gaining practical skills and qualifications, and enhancing their understanding of the Business Administration or Engineering sector.
Partnerships
Partnerships are formed consisting of training provider, schools and employers to run the Young Apprenticeship Programme. An application process is conducted and successful partnerships are selected by the LSC and Sector Skills Council.
Get in touch
If you are interested in being part of the Young Apprenticeship Programme please contact either of the following:
