Apprenticeships and Advanced Apprenticeships

Apprenticeships have been Government funded for many years and provide relevant work based learning opportunities. The Government has recently announced a programme to expand Apprenticeships with over £1 billion in Government funding to increase the overall places available from 250,000 today to more than 400,000 by 2010/11.

Going straight from school into a job might sound great – you start earning your own money and enjoy the independence that it brings. However, if it is a job without training or opportunities, it could lead you nowhere!

Apprenticeships are the perfect answer – learning the skills you need to get ahead whilst doing real work with real pay.

What exactly is an Apprenticeship?

An apprenticeship is a government funded scheme, combining learning, both at work and through day release attendance at College in a chosen vocational area.

It offers the opportunity to gain practical experience within the workplace and at the same time, gain nationally recognised qualifications at College.

Who is an Apprenticeship for?

For those aged between 16-18, with some limited places for those aged 19 and over.
Employed, not self employed in the industry you want to study in.
Employed for more than 16 hours week.

Why choose Canterbury College?

Canterbury College has years of experience in Apprenticeships and with over 300 people taking advantage of the opportunity to earn while they learn, there is no better place to undertake an Apprenticeship. Canterbury College has heavily invested in its campus facilities and accommodation in order to provide a modern training environment which is conducive to learning.

Working with local employers at a time when the need for well-trained, highly qualified staff has never been higher, Canterbury College can offer you a free recruitment service identifying potential employees from a bank of registered College students or through advertising external vacancies. This can even reduce your recruitment costs. We also offer a dedicated workplace mentor who will support your employee whilst they undertake their Apprenticeship. This involves checking their progress at work and College and making sure that they are working in a safe environment.

Apprenticeships are available to both new and current employees, which means that you can re-skill your staff to meet the challenges of the modern economy.

Avoid skills shortages

Change is always with us, new advances are constantly challenging us to keep pace or catch up. Apprenticeships can help your workforce master the latest techniques to fill the gaps you have and insure against those that are likely to arise. By taking on Apprentices, you develop the specialist skills you need to keep pace with the latest technology and working practices in your sector.

The proven way to train your staff

Apprenticeships provide a structured approach to training your staff, ensuring that they have the skills directly relevant to your company’s business requirements. Apprentices receive high-quality training that gives you the highly skilled workforce you need in today’s uncertain climate. It’s a cost effective way to train a new or existing member of staff, who will attain industry relevant skills on the job and recognised qualifications, while spending a minimal amount of time away from the workplace.

How does an apprenticeship work?

An apprenticeship is made up of several different qualifications, when combined together, are known as a framework.

Students attend College one day per week and will study towards:

An NVQ – a qualification where students compile a portfolio of evidence to measure competence within the workplace.
A Technical Certificate – A qualification giving the student underpinning knowledge of your chosen vocation.
Key Skills – Qualifications leading to more general skills, such as Application of Number, IT and Communication. Subject to GCSE grades, students may need to sit exams and produce portfolios of evidence.
Employment Rights and Responsibilities (ERR) – Either a workbook or a module of the course that covers students employment rights and responsibility as an employee, such as health and safety at work, contracts and conditions of employment.
Industry requirements – Some industries require specific courses to be completed.

On successful completion of all the requirements of the framework, students will receive an apprenticeship certificate.

How to find an Apprenticeship

We've put together some tips and advice on work based learning and how to find an apprenticeship.

I am an employer and would like send apprentices to Canterbury College – what do I need to know?

You must:

Be able to provide a variety of on the job training to meet the needs of the NVQ
Have a vocationally competent employee/supervisor of a specific trade within the company
Show your work environment meets with health and safety legislation
Have employer/public liability insurance
Provide a weekly wage of £80 minimum
Have business within the Kent area
Be willing to contribute to the regular reviews of student progression

What support will both the student and the employer receive from the Work Based Learning team?

All students on an apprenticeship programme are allocated a Training Advisor.

The training advisors role is to provide a link between the student, employer and College.
They are there to monitor the students progress at College, the Health and Safety in the work place and they are on hand if the student has any concerns relating to either their College course or at work.

How much does it cost?

Apprenticeships are funded by the Learning and Skills Council, meaning that College course fees will be:

Totally funded for those aged 16-18, meaning no charge to either the student or the employer.
Partially funded by the Learning and Skills Council for those aged 19 and over. For those student 19 and over there will be an employer contribution payable towards the cost of the training.

What employers tell us

Employers believe that Apprenticeships:

Make them more competitive
Provide higher overall productivity
Reduce staff turnover
Provide the skilled workers that they need for the future
Fill vacancies more quickly
Lead to a more motivated and satisfied workforce
Are more cost-effective than hiring skilled staff
Lead to lower overall training costs
Reduce recruitment costs
Will play a bigger part in their recruitment policy in the future

The Apprenticeship programme includes:

Apprenticeships are available at Level 2 and Level 3. As an employer you play an important part in training the Apprentice in the workplace, whilst industry knowledge and Skills for Life are delivered at Canterbury College usually one day per week.

Apprenticeships typically comprise of the following core elements:

A National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) at Level 2 or 3
A Technical Certificate
Appropriate Skills for Life (e.g. Communication, numeracy and IT)
Employment responsibilities and rights
Health & Safety

At present we deliver Apprenticeships across a number of vocational areas. If you are interested in a subject that is not covered in this list opposite, please contact us.

Programme-led Apprenticeships

The College also offers programme-led Apprenticeships. These provide young people with the vocational skills they need to prepare them for the world of work. If you are interested in PLAs or would like to offer employment opportunities suited to our PLAs please call us.

How do I apply?

Either:

Download an application form
Request an application form by telephone on 01227 811188

Complete the form in the front of the college prospectus

Find out more:

The Work Based Learning Team can be contacted on 01227 811150

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