Apprenticeships are designed alongside employers to reflect the current market and industry needs. They offer a structured programme which provides each Apprentice with the skills needed to excel in their role. Apprentices work towards their qualification by studying the technical skills they need to know and learning how to apply them in practical assessments.
As employees, Apprentices earn a wage and work alongside experienced staff to gain real work-life experience and skills on the job. Off the job, usually on a day-release basis, Apprentices receive training to help them achieve nationally recognised qualifications.
Anyone over 16 and not in full-time education can apply for an Apprenticeship. Programmes can take between one and four years, depending on the level of study, the sector and the Apprentice’s initial ability.
Key benefits of an Apprenticeship
What financial support is available
If you’re 16-18 years old and have previously been in care, you may be eligible for a £1,000 Apprenticeship Bursary. We can share more about this and talk in more detail at apprenticeships@ccsw.ac.uk or on 01270 654654 or 01244 656555.
You will be employed and typically work four days a week and attend College one day a week. You will be expected to work the normal working hours for your industry, which includes your College attendance.
You will develop job specific skills and knowledge whilst in the workplace and be assigned to a College Assessor to support you in gaining qualifications at the same time. Your wage will be paid by your employer.
The College works with over 500 local, national and international employers, so new Apprenticeships are advertised regularly.
The National Minimum Wage (NMW) for Apprentices is £4.15 per hour (as of April 2020). But many employers pay more.
Once you reach 19 years and you have completed the first year of your Apprenticeship, your employer must pay the full NMW rate.
Typically 4 GCSEs at Grade C/GCSE Level 4 or above, including English and maths, or a NVQ in a related subject, but each framework has different entry requirements so check our course sheets.
Don’t worry if you do not meet the entry requirements, there are a number of routes you can follow to help you get the required skills to do an Apprenticeship. Please get in touch with the College to explore your options.
Apprenticeships delivered as a Framework are made up of a number of elements including:
Assessment for Frameworks take place across the course of your studies and at the end you will be awarded a NVQ qualification.
Standards
Standards have been recently introduced by the Government to meet the needs of employers. They contain a list of the skills, knowledge and behaviours an apprentice will need to have learned by the end of their apprenticeship. The apprentice is assessed at the end of the apprenticeship and will need to prove that they can carry out all aspects of their job.
When exploring the courses we have available, you may see a fee attached but you’re more than likely to be eligible for a fully-funded enrolment!
Take a look and get in touch with admissions@ccsw.ac.uk if you’d like anymore information.
