National Apprenticeship Week is just one week away!
The Cheshire and Warrington Pledge Partnership are supporting National Apprenticeship Week and will be providing resources that helps inform young people, parents, carers, and anyone looking to change career prospects. Throughout this week and next, you will be able to find critical information that will allow you to make the best decision for yourself and support your child who may be interested in applying for an Apprenticeship once they have left school.
What is an Apprenticeship?
It’s time to talk about the Future!
An Apprenticeship is an opportunity for anyone seeking employment or a change of career. With thousands of businesses supporting those that are looking to get paid and learn on the job, it is a chance to gain qualifications on the side and gain industry experience. Anyone is eligible to apply for an Apprenticeship as there are no age restrictions.
There are numerous industries that are seeking Apprentices, to help future proof their organisations and train on the job. The idea that only trade industries recruit Apprentices is no longer true, there are multiple roles available in various industries such as; Marketing, HR, Finance and trade positions.
How do you start the conversation about Apprenticeships with your young person?
It is important that your child understands the available pathways to them, especially if they are currently a school leaver or getting ready to make their GCSE choices. As a parent, we understand that you want the best for your child and for them to have all of the necessary information to make an informed decision about their future. Starting that conversation as early as possible is beneficial and will allow you to discover all the information that you need surrounding the industry that your child is interested in, help you to understand the application process and ensure that your child is future ready.
Talking Futures: How you can support your young person
Even though Apprenticeships are available for anyone, they still have specific entry requirements. Most require a GCSE in Maths and English as a minimum. Apprenticeships can be competitive and the higher the Apprenticeship, ensuring that your child gains as many GCSEs will help them to stand out. Many employers are looking for those that demonstrate their interest in an Apprenticeship with them, for example, having some work experience in that specific industry or undertaking projects that has some relevance to the industry they are looking at will only help them.
What are employers looking for?
Employers are shining a light on the importance of ‘soft skills’ such as communication, team work, leadership and confidence. By developing a young persons soft skills, you will be helping them to stand out even further from the crowd, encouraging them to participate in events such as The Cheshire and Warrington Jobs and Apprenticeships Fairs and speak one to one with employers will help showcase to employers that your young person has a genuine interest in moving forward with them, that they are using their initiative to help themselves and serious about their next steps after school.
How do I ensure that my young person will take the right course for them?
Being an Apprentice doesn’t mean that you will no longer be visiting the classroom, Apprentices are required to attend classes that broadens their knowledge as well as a hand on approach on the job. By researching local Training Providers, you will be able to research a wide range of courses available.
What are the available pathways for 16+?
It is difficult to ensure that your young person is making the right choice for them if they don’t understand what options are available to them. It is important that you understand the different pathways that an over 16 can take in order to provide your young person with the best possible choices. There are three main options that are available once your young person is a school leaver, which has been summarised by Talking Futures:
T-Levels
T-levels were introduced in 2020 and are currently being rolled out across the country. Your child will take a two-year course designed with employers and spend approximately 80% of their time in a classroom setting at school or college and 20% on an industry placement with an employer. One T-level is equivalent to three A-levels.
Apprenticeships
Apprenticeships combine part-time study with training in a paid job. Your child will spend most of their time at work and at least 20% of their time ‘off-the-job’ studying, usually in a classroom setting at a college or with a training provider. From age 16, a young person will usually begin a level 2 or level 3 apprenticeship.
A-Levels
Most students select three subjects to study at A-level, over a two-year period. However, your child could choose to combine A-levels with other qualifications or to study more than three A-levels.
FIND OUT MORE
You can learn more about supporting your young person with their future by visiting Talking Futures which has a vast amount of resources available to help you.
Remember, you can still book onto our Jobs and Apprenticeships Fairs in Cheshire East and Warrington for FREE by CLICKING HERE.
Find out more about National Apprenticeship Week resources and events by CLICKING HERE.
posted: Monday 30 January
