Apprenticeships

What is an Apprenticeship?An Apprenticeship is a way of studying for qualifications whilst being employed and gaining workplace experience.

There is currently a choice of 190 careers in approximately 80 employment sectors in which to study an apprenticeship.

They generally fall into three categories:

• Apprenticeships - equivalent to 5 good GCSEs/Level 2
• Advanced Apprenticeships - equivalent to 2 A-level passes/Level 3
• Higher Apprenticeships - may involve NVQ Level 4 or in some cases a Foundation Degree

Vocational/employment sectors include:

• Agriculture, Horticulture and Animal Care
• Arts, Media and Publishing
• Business, Administration and Law
• Construction, Planning and the Built Environment
• Education and Training
• Engineering and Manufacturing Technologies
• Health, Public Services and Care
• Information and Communication Technology
• Leisure, Travel and Tourism
• Retail and Commercial Enterprise

Each of which is broken down further into subjects.

The National Apprenticeship Service
The National Apprenticeship Service (NAS) was launched in April 2009 to lead the delivery of a World Class Apprenticeship programme. Priorities for NAS include:

• Expanding the number of Apprenticeship places offered by employers, including those in the public sector.
• Increasing the number, quality and background of people applying for Apprenticeships, and in particular supporting 16 to 18 year olds.
• Making it easier for employers and individuals to search and apply for vacancies through the online Apprenticeship Vacancies system.
• Developing and implementing Service Quality Standards to all key stakeholder groups.
• Ensuring that the funding for Apprenticeship places is available, responsive to need and delivers value for money.
• Developing high quality data and management information, supported by ongoing research into Apprenticeship delivery.
• Delivering a Marketing and Communication Strategy that ensures that stakeholders are aware of the benefits of Apprenticeships.
• Recruiting, developing and supporting all staff within the NAS
• Developing a policy analysis programme which focuses on the immediate and longer-term needs to improve the quality of Apprenticeships.

Priorities taken from the NAS Prospectus 2009.
http://www.actiononaccess.org/resources/files/resources__NAS_prospectus_09.pdf  

Apprentices and the role of Progress South Central
As a result of a meeting convened in Feb 2010 with key representatives from colleges, university admission staff and the National Apprenticeship Service, Progress South Central has developed an action plan to support progression for Apprentices.
Areas of development work include:

• Identifying target cohorts of Apprentices which we can work with including gathering information on Apprentices being employed by our partners:
• Researching what potential demand there might be for Apprentices to progress into HE
• An analysis of statements/entry requirements for Apprentices applying to partner universities and colleges.