Bringing together business, education and students

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.

As a Training Provider that delivers as much as possible of the programme in the Apprentices workplace Campus Training is able to tailor many aspects of the provision to the needs of the Employer.  Communications between Employer, Apprentice and Training Provider are simple, straightforward and effective in shaping the content to reflect the requirements of a particular workplace.

A programme as comprehensive as the Apprenticeship Framework places demands on all parties and although there is no fiscal cost it requires a commitment from all concerned to be able to achieve a satisfactory outcome.  At times there will be short-term inconveniences that will need to be overcome for realizing long-term benefits.

Employers can use the Apprenticeship Programme as part of their ‘Succession Strategy’ as it is vital to ensure that workforce skills levels are maintained as employees retire or leave for any other reason.  Similarly an Employer who is planning for expansion can use the Apprenticeship Programme as an effective nursery for cultivating the additional skilled staff that will be needed.

Traditionally Apprenticeships were associated with ‘Hands on’ employment but now they are available in 190 different areas and Employers can call upon the services of a wide range of specialist Training Providers including more than 60 covered by the Sussex Council of Training Providers. The Eastbourne Education Business Partnership is another good reference point for those interested to find out more.

Les Webb
Integrated Services Manager
Campus Training Ltd
1st floor, 2/7 Horsted Square
Bellbrook Business Park
Uckfield
TN22 1QG
01825 749390