How does it work?
Pupils on the Young Apprenticeship programme continue to study the core National Curriculum subjects, including English, Mathematics, ICT and Science, but they also pursue qualifications in a vocational area. They learn through a mixture of classroom lessons, practical training and work experience.
The Collective work in partnership with Gateshead schools and local employers to share the responsibility of for the learning pupils will receive on the programme.

What about the practicalities?
As your child begins their Young Apprenticeship, they will receive all the information they need about timetables, transport and so on. The local partnership forms a support network for pupils, sharing information on their progress and any help that individuals might need. You can expect to receive regular feedback on how your child is progressing.
All the activities your child takes part in will have been approved for under-16s in terms of health, safety and welfare in the workplace. Schools, working with partnerships, make sure that suitable arrangements are in place.
Unlike with other kinds of apprenticeships, pupils in the Young Apprenticeship programme aren't paid. The programme forms part of your child's compulsory education, and it covers all the costs to the organisations involved.

What qualifications does a Young Apprenticeship lead to?
Pupils on a Young Apprenticeship may study for a GCSE in a vocational subject (worth two GCSEs) or another type of vocational qualification, such as a National Vocational Qualification. They may even do a combination of qualifications, depending on how their local programme is designed.
Whatever qualification your child achieves, it will be one which is recognised by employers and education institutions throughout England. When pupils successfully complete their Young Apprenticeship, it's intended that they will also receive a certificate to show that employers were satisfied with their progress.
Your child's school will provide information on the qualifications they are studying.

What happens after a Young Apprenticeship?
Doing a Young Apprenticeship keeps your child's options open. If they find the vocational route is right for them, they can choose to pursue a post-16 full-time Apprenticeship. Their experience and qualifications may even help in completing these courses early.
If they don't choose to continue with an Apprenticeship, they can still follow other routes of learning as they will have completed the normal National Curriculum. They might continue their studies full-time, either at school, college or with a training provider, or they might prefer to combine training and work. After any of these options, pupils can progress to higher education, following a course at university that builds on the skills they've already acquired.

Where can I get more information?
Your child's school is still responsible your child's welfare while on the Young Apprenticeship programme, so you can contact the school as you would normally.

Examples of Young Apprenticeships
Some pupils on Young Apprenticeships have practical experience outside school on a regular basis, while others have longer spells less frequently. It depends on how your child's programme has been set up. The examples here show how the programme might work in practice.

Example 1: Young Apprenticeship in Engineering
• Tuition in GCSE engineering on Tuesday mornings and Thursday afternoons, hosted by one of the schools in the local partnership
• Wednesdays divided between time spent at a training organisation to learn basic skills, learning on the job at an engineering company and some time taken up with visits and other extra activities
• National Curriculum studies in school for the rest of the time

Example 2: Young Apprenticeship in Business Administration
• Five hours each week studying, for example, a GCSE in applied business and an Administration Technical Certificate Level 2 at one of the schools in the local partnership one day every three weeks off-site doing work experience
• Two-week work-experience placements in both Year 10 and Year 11
• Six extra days of employer activities within school spread over the two years
• National Curriculum studies in school for the rest of the time