VQ Day VQ Day
A summer of celebration
Case study: Charlotte Burford, 18
Charlotte attends
Cannock Chase College
Apprenticeships: FAQs
in Staffordshire where
she is taking a number of
vocational evening courses
One of the main vocational
Q: How long do Apprenticeships usually take? or university, or expanding on existing skills via their
since completing an NVQ The completion time varies. Generally students current employer.
Level 3 qualification in
pathways available to young
can expect to finish within one to three years. How
beauty therapy. long it takes is influenced by the course matter, with Q: What if students cannot find a willing employer?
Here, Charlotte discusses Apprenticeships such as hairdressing typically taking For those students who wish to train as an apprentice
her experiences and how vocational training has
people is the Apprenticeship.
up to three years to complete, while engineering can but have yet to find a suitable employer, there is the
supported her in fulfilling her dreams. take up to five years. option of a Programme Led Apprenticeship. This option
“I decided to pursue vocational training instead
With VQ Day approaching,
It is also dependent upon the ability of each individual has been developed for students who are struggling to
of the academic route because I enjoy practical and the employer’s specific needs. In some instances, secure employment and is also ideal for young people
and hands-on learning. The fantastic thing about
Nic Robinson answers the
employers may require support sooner and therefore in need of initial training prior to advancing onto a full
vocational qualifications is that they combine encourage their apprentice to complete training in less Apprenticeship with an employer. The scheme allows
practical elements of learning with academic, time than other businesses might. This flexibility makes students to study at college and gain work experience
meaning there is variety and I am constantly
common Apprenticeship FAQs
it a suitable route for young people of ranging ability. before they begin an Apprenticeship.
challenged.
Last year I competed in the WorldSkills UK Q: How many levels of Apprenticeships are there? Q: What age do students need to be?
Beauty Therapy Advanced competition and after HIS yeAr has seen Apprenticeships There are two levels of Apprenticeships – Although the minimum age to start an Apprenticeship
the finals was invited to attend a shortlisting ment backing Apprenticeships and Advanced. Apprenticeships work is 16, for students who wish to start earlier, there is the
competition, which I was successful in, and as it strives to promote the value of towards NVQ Level 2 which is the equivalent of five young Apprenticeship scheme. This enables key stage
following this I completed training courses. this training route to young people good GCSe qualifications. At Apprenticeship level, 4 learners the opportunity to spend 50 days working in
After another shortlisting competition, I now and demonstrate the significance of learners will also accumulate key skills and depending a sector of their choice.
have the possibility of getting through to the obtaining functional, practical and on the type of training, a relevant technical certificate. recruiting 9,000 teenagers annually, the scheme
international WorldSkills competition. This week, T
receive extensive govern
transferable skills. Those studying for an Advanced Apprenticeship is successful in directing young people onto an
I will be competing against another shortlisted However, it has been reported that a large number work towards a work-based learning qualification such Apprenticeship after they have reached the age of 16.
competitor from the Beauty Therapy Advanced of teachers are unsure about how they work and their as NVQ Level 3, key skills, and again where relevant,
category of WorldSkills UK for the opportunity to benefits. Here, are 10 common FAQs for teachers. a technical certificate. It is usually necessary for those Q: How do students apply for Apprenticeships?
represent the UK in the international competition wishing to take up an Advanced Apprenticeship to There are numerous ways to help young people get the
in Calgary, Canada, in September. Q: How do Apprenticeships work with regard to have already obtained five grade C and above GCSes. ball rolling.
It is going to be a gruelling and challenging employment and training time? Alternatively, at this level entrants are required to have employer route: for those students who have
week, but if I make it through it will be extremely Apprentices usually spend the majority of their week completed an Apprenticeship. already identified a company that they would like to
exciting. There are over 900 students going to based in full-time employment, learning while on the train at they can directly contact the employer. If the
Canada to compete in 45 skill categories so it job. Typically they are then released one day per week Q: Do apprentices receive funding? employer has an existing Apprenticeship scheme in
would be amazing if I was one of these and was to a local training provider, such as a college. Apprentices can receive financial help. Apprenticeships place, students should be advised to find out as much
able to compete at international level. are free with the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) information about this and the company prior to getting
The skills I acquired on my course and the Q: What types of Apprenticeships are available? financing training. Funding depends upon the particular in touch and applying. For learners who are already
support gained from tutors provided me with A particularly positive aspect regarding Apprenticeships employer and also the type of Apprenticeship. employed and wish to train with their current employer,
the confidence and skills required to compete is the wide-ranging selection of industries that they can again approach them directly.
in WorldSkills UK at national level. The most apprentices can choose to pursue training in. With 180 Q: Do apprentices get paid while they train? Online: teachers should direct students to the LSC’s
positive aspect of vocational training is that it types of Apprenticeships on offer in around 80 different Alongside having no fees to pay, although there is not website where they can register their interest and
is a flexible learning route and equips you with sectors, there really is something to cater for everyone’s a specific salary figure set in stone, apprentices must be are then able to research relevant opportunities. In
transferable skills. I would advise other students talents. Apprenticeships are available in the following paid a minimum of £95 weekly from August 2009, and addition, assistance is provided by the LSC, putting the
who are interested in vocational learning to industries: many earn a weekly wage totalling £170 on average. young person in contact with a learning provider who
research courses available and then go for it. • Agriculture, horticulture and animal care. Apprentices should receive the same benefits as other will match them with a local employer. Students can
If there is a topic or industry, that you are • Arts, media and publishing. employees, such as paid holiday and bank holidays. also visit the Apprenticeships website where they can
interested in, such as beauty, then this provides the • Business, administration and law. register interest and search for vacancies.
perfect foundation for learning. Just ensure that if • Construction, planning and the built environment. Q: Are there any benefits specific to Apprenticeships? Hotline: young people can gain direct access to
you prefer the practical element of learning, do not • education and training. The opportunity to receive a salary while learning all Apprenticeships information free-of-charge when
just focus purely on this – it is important to apply • engineering and manufacturing technologies. provides students with a positive and practical incentive. calling the hotline. They can also discover which
yourself in the theoretical side too. • Health, public services and care. Gaining first-hand experience working alongside other opportunities are available in their local area. Once
Since completing my NVQ, I have continued • Information and communication technology. employees means colleagues can offer guidance. There initial contact has been made, meetings can be set up
using vocational training to add to my existing • Leisure, travel and tourism. are also a number of financial gains from doing an with learning providers via a local advisor.
skills and I am now taking classes in Indian head • retail and commercial enterprise, including Apprenticeship. In fact research demonstrates that
massage, aromatherapy massage, and fashion hairdressing and beauty therapy. apprentices earn over £100,000 (on average) more, over • Nic Robinson is director of business development for
and photographic make-up. I will continue using A number of large businesses offer Apprenticeships their lifetime, than other employees. vocational hair and beauty awarding body, VTCT.
vocational training to expand on my skills and will and although Apprenticeships vary across the country, Due to receiving specific, tailored training as an
probably take a new course each year. they all include an appropriate work-based qualification apprentice, on completion young people are prepared
Further information
In the future my dream is to be a lecturer and I such as an NVQ at Level 2 or 3; key skills qualifications for the world of work and know what to expect. • www.apprenticeshipguide.co.uk
believe that vocational training will support me in (working in teams, problem-solving, communication, On completing an Apprenticeship, the learner has • www.apprenticeships.org.uk (the LSC website).
fulfilling this.” and using new technology); and a technical qualification numerous opportunities available to them, such as • www.direct.gov.uk
relevant to the specific Apprenticeship. choosing whether to further enhance skills at college • Apprenticeships hotline: 0800 015 0600.
SecEd • June 18 2009 19
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