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Information for Parents

Guide for Parents and Carers

What is an apprenticeship

Information for Parents

Apprenticeships allow you to learn on the job, building up knowledge and skills, gaining qualifications and earning money - all at the same time.

An apprenticeship gives you the opportunity to complete qualifications and training whilst being paid.

By studying at college and training on site, you will learn the theoretical knowledge and the practical skills that complement each other and enable you to understand both aspects of the job.

- You work with people who genuinely understand the industry, and have experience they can pass on to you

- Spending time working with people of all ages and abilities will help you develop your confidence and communication skills and help you understand how to work as a team

- You will be taught on industry standard equipment by subject specialists who have extensive industrial, technical and vocational experience

- You will be working with a college that has achieved Beacon status for teaching and learning.

As a parent or carer we understand that you will be looking for advice and guidance about the choices on offer for your son or daughter. Below is some useful information on Apprenticeships but please contact us if you have any queries.

Entry Requirements

To complete an Apprenticeship in a chosen sector students would normally need between 4 GCSEs preferably at grade C or above including Mathematics and English or a GNVQ in a related subject. However, personality traits are equally important and Apprentices need to be enthusiastic, motivated and committed to achieving their Apprenticeship. Previous work experience, including part time work, may also be a benefit.

Length of the Apprenticeship

The length of the programme depends upon the vocational area and can vary from 12 - 48 months.

What an Apprenticeship involves

For most courses students spend 4 days a week working on site with the employer and one day per week studying at college. The work they complete will be dependant on the industry they work in, however in all industries they will have a range of duties that will increase as they progress through the Apprenticeship. All Apprenticeships help develop the student's range of skills, knowledge and experience.

The Qualifications

This depends on what kind of Apprenticeship programme the student is on. However, each Apprenticeship includes the following:

- An appropriate work-based qualification such as a National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) at either Level 2 or Level 3;

- Key Skills qualifications and functional skills, e.g. working in teams, problem-solving, communication and using new technology;

- A technical qualification such as a BTEC or City & Guilds (relevant to the specific Apprenticeship); Other qualifications or requirements as specified by the particular occupation.

Financial Support

There are no fees to pay when studying an Apprenticeship if you are aged 16-18 at the start of the apprenticeship. The Skills Funding Agency covers the cost of training.

All students actually earn a wage whilst studying an Apprenticeship but the amount depends on their age, experience and employer. The minimum wage for a first year is currently £2.50 per hour. After this, if they are aged 19 or over, the employer must pay them the national minimum wage. Further information on this can be found using the useful links page and visiting the BERR website (formerly the Department for Trade and Industry).

The Role of the Employer

The employer is the most important part of an Apprenticeship. They give apprentices an induction into the company and their role. They also provide on-the-job training and pay their wages. Apprentices will have a manager at work who will be responsible for helping them throughout their training.

After the Apprenticeship

Apprenticeships can be demanding but they are very rewarding. When they are completed, an Apprentice can carry on working, advance within the businesses or go on to higher education in a college or university.

Some Apprenticeships already attract UCAS points and this system is looking to expand to ensure that the qualifications gained during an Apprenticeship count towards an individual's university application.

Higher Apprenticeship programmes are available in the IT, engineering, purchasing and supply sectors, enabling apprentices to study for a Foundation Degree, learn valuable new skills and earn a living at the same time.

NVQ’s - How are they achieved?

NVQs are achieved through assessment and training. Assessment is normally through on-the-job observation and questioning. Candidates produce evidence to prove they have the competence to meet the NVQ standards.

Assessors ‘sign-off' units when the candidates are ready - the assessor tests candidates' underpinning knowledge, understanding and work-based performance to make sure they can demonstrate competence in the workplace.

When new candidates start an NVQ, the assessor will assess and guide them to:

Identify what they can do already
Agree on the standard and level they are aiming for
Analyse what they need to learn
Choose and agree on activities that would allow them to learn what they need
Agree appropriate methods for assessment, working with individual learning needs