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Apprenticeships: Viewpoint from a Workplace Provider

Currently Apprenticeships are ‘Fully-funded’; in simple terms there is no monetary cost to Employer or Apprentice if the employee is aged 16 to 18.  This encompasses many school & college leavers and such people are used to learning and ready to adapt to the requirements of the workplace.  ‘Earn whilst you learn’ is an attractive proposition to many and as a result there can be many more young persons looking for an Apprenticeship Opportunity than there are openings available.

Presently an Apprenticeship consists of a Framework of Qualifications designed to produce an effective employee with all-round skills.  A typical Framework is made up of a ‘NVQ’ to confirm job competence at National Standards with a ‘Technical Certificate’ to provide Externally Assessed proof of Underpinning Knowledge. To succeed in most businesses everyone needs to be able to ‘Communicate’ and to be adequately skilful in the ‘Application of Number’ and these elements are included in the Framework for those who have not yet achieved the desired level.

You’re hired!

National Apprenticeship Week, held in February 2009 and championed by Sir Alan Sugar – “apprentices make things happen” – successfully highlighted the fact that apprenticeships offer a real opportunity for those already in the workplace to develop their skills, or for those new to industry or looking to retrain, the necessary technical skills alongside key transferable skills.