Apprenticeships Guide

Apprenticeships Guide

Apprenticeships Guide Do you want a real job? YES Do you want to earn whilst you learn FOR FREE? YES Do you want to enhance you career prospects in the future? YES If so an Apprenticeship could be for you!

EARN WHILST YOU LEARN! What is an apprenticeship and is it for me? Apprentices do real jobs for real employers. So as an apprentice you are paid while you learn. If you are entering work for the first time, you will be paid from day one of your apprenticeship. Apprenticeships are an excellent way of gaining qualifications and workplace experience. As an employee, you can earn as you learn and you gain practical skills from the workplace. You will have a full time job and whilst you are working you will have a structured personalised training programme that is designed to meet yours and the employer s needs. What are the benefits of an apprenticeship? Earn whilst you learn Work Experience in a real Paid job Improved CV Knowledge Based Qualification NVQ Competence Based Qualification Technical Certificate Employer Rights and Responsibilities Functional Skills - Maths, English, ICT Personal Learning and Thinking Skills Additional Employer qualifications- first aid, manual handling Apprenticeships last for 12-42 months depending on the qualification and you will EARN WHILST YOU LEARN!!

At North Lindsey College we offer range of apprenticeships in a number of employment sectors We constantly add new provision so please check with us but our main offer includes: Accountancy Animal Care Beauty Therapy Hairdressing Nail Services Business and Administration Management Team Leading Retail Customer Services IT Application Specialist IT Software, Web & Telecoms Professional Food Manufacture Hospitality & Catering Health Health & Social Care Childcare Supporting Teaching & Learning Engineering Fabrication & Welding Engineering Manufacture Electrical Engineering Electro-technical Engineering Manufacture Mechanical Motor Vehicle Fitting Motor Vehicle Body & Paint Motor Vehicle Maintenance & Repair (Light or Heavy Vehicle) Construction Trowel Occupations Construction Wood Occupations Construction Decorative Occupations Construction Maintenance Operative Construction Plastering Construction Technical Construction Specialist Construction Civil Plumbing and Heating Warehousing Sports Exercise & Fitness Sports Activity Leadership Sustainable Resource Management (Waste Management)

WORK EXPERIENCE IN A REAL PAID JOB What are the entry requirements of an Apprenticeship? Different Apprenticeships have different entry requirements. However the most important requirements are that: You must be living in England and not taking part in full-time education. You must be aged 16 or over. If you took your GCSEs more than five years ago and didn t gain a top grade (A or A*), or you don t have good Maths and English you will need to take a literacy and numeracy assessment. If you would like any more information regarding apprenticeships please contact North Lindsey College on 01724 281111 or by emailing apprenticeshipsupport@northlindsey.ac.uk. Further information about apprenticeships can be found at: www.gov.uk/apprenticeships-guide Frequently Asked Questions What are the employer responsibilities? Employers must give apprentices an induction into their role and provide on the job training. An apprentice will get the hands-on skills and experience they need to work successfully in an organisation. Employers are responsible for the wages of apprentices, the current rate can be found at www.gov.uk/national-minimum-wage-rates. Employers may negotiate a higher rate salary that reflects the skills and experience, age, ability and the going rate for the job concerned. You must be employed for a minimum of 30 hours per week. Off-the-job training for apprentices is arranged by North Lindsey College and delivered either at the work place or at College. North Lindsey College produces a training plan agreed by the employer and the individual and manages the apprentice s regular assessment.

What types of Apprenticeships are there? Apprenticeships are available in all sectors and industries throughout England. There are over 190 types of Apprenticeships in a range of industry sectors, from engineering to animal care, health and social care to accountancy. What are the advantages of an Apprenticeship? Getting qualified while on the job can also mean: You work better and more effectively It can set you up to move into new and better jobs You get better pay You get to experience new and different challenges Your existing skills and knowledge are recognised and can help you gain a qualification faster You learn at your own pace and get support when you need it Better job security You gain skills and knowledge which can be used across a range of jobs and industries. How do I find out about Apprenticeship opportunities? North Lindsey College can help you identify the most appropriate Apprenticeship to suit your needs and aspirations and has close links with local employers that may require Apprentices. The National Apprenticeship Service also runs Apprenticeships vacancies. This is an online system whereby employers and learning providers can advertise and manage vacancies, and potential apprentices can search, apply and then manage their applications for Apprenticeships and Advanced Apprenticeships opportunities anywhere in England. The system is free and available on the Apprenticeships website at: www.gov.uk/apply-apprenticeship What are transferable skills? Many different industry sectors share the same skill sets. These core skills are transferable across sectors and are built into the Apprenticeship to maximise flexibility and choice for employers and apprentices. They include: English (mandatory) Maths (mandatory) ICT (dependant of qualification framework)

LEARN AT YOUR OWN PACE I have a degree - Can a university graduate do an Apprenticeship? Yes - You can do an Apprenticeship but you will not be eligible for funding. That means your employer would have to pay your training costs. Do apprenticeships count towards an individual s university application. Yes - All apprenticeship qualifications carry UCAS points and can be used towards your university application. Is there an upper age limit for Apprenticeships? No - You can apply for an apprenticeship at any age. What s involved in the selection process? The selection process is just like any other job application process. Do I have to pay anything to become an apprentice? No - While you are on an Apprenticeship, your employer pays you a salary and supports you whilst you undertake your training. Most of the training is on the job within the workplace however the rest will be provided by North Lindsey College. If I change employers, do I have to restart my Apprenticeship? No - You can continue on the same Apprenticeship programme. If you are aged 19 and over and change employers after you have completed your first year, you will also be able to receive the national minimum wage. I ve already got a job can I still do an Apprenticeship? Yes - If your employer agrees, you can become an apprentice where you work now. How often do apprentices attend college or training sessions? This varies from programme to programme. Some of the training can be in the workplace and other sessions could be in college. Depending on your job role, or the elements of training being undertaken, it could be one day a week or a block release. Do apprentices take exams? Most assessment is carried out in the workplace but there may be a requirement to take some tests or assessments. What time of year can I start? You can apply at any time of year. When you begin the work-based training depends upon the availability of a position at an employer.

DON T DREAM IT. DO IT. Do I get paid? All employed apprentices must receive a wage. The minimum hourly rate for Apprentices is 3.30 per hour. However, as skills develop, many employers tend to increase wages. Do I get to choose where to work? Yes - It s up to you to choose an employer but North Lindsey College can help you decide. Do I have to pay tax and National Insurance? As is the case of all employees aged over 16, all apprentices must still pay tax and national insurance on their income. Do I get holidays? Like most other employees, you will be given at least 20 days paid holiday per year as well as bank holidays. Can apprentices claim additional benefits (such as childcare)? Yes - In some limited cases, apprentices can claim additional benefits. You can find out more on benefit claims at www.dwp.gov.uk. What are my employment rights as an apprentice? Most apprentices are employed and therefore have the same rights as other employees. To find out more about your rights as an apprentice go to www.worksmart.org.uk. Can I join a trade union as an apprentice? Yes - Most employed apprentices are entitled to join a trade union. To find out which trade union is relevant to your workplace, go to www.worksmart.org.uk/unionfinder. Are Apprentices eligible for maternity leave? Yes - Like all employees, apprentices are entitled to statutory Maternity Leave of 52 weeks with statutory Maternity Pay for up to 39 weeks. Contact Customer Services on 01724 281111 or by emailing: apprenticeshipsupport@northlindsey.ac.uk Further information about apprenticeships can be found at: www.gov.uk/apply-apprenticeship Information contained in this brochure is correct at date of printing 19 September 2016 Apprenticeships Guide 2014.indd