APPRENTICESHIPS IN COVENTRY

The Coventry jobs scene has changed dramatically over the last 10 years with the city losing more of it's big factories such as Massey Ferguson, Jaguar Browns Lane and Peugeot. The working world in Coventry is changing fast. With fierce competition for jobs in Coventry there's never been a better time to have marketable skills and proven qualifications. You don't need to sit in a class all day to get them or spend every evening studying books for theoretical knowledge to get you through exams. With an Apprenticeship you can earn while you are learning and gain recognised qualifications as you work at on the job training.
Here we will help you understand what you need to know about Apprenticeships, from the qualifications involved, the areas in which you can work and the different levels available.
As employees, apprentices earn a wage and work alongside experienced staff to gain skills. Away from the workplace usually on a day-release basis, apprentices receive training that if completed successfully will lead to nationally recognised qualifications. Anyone living in England, over 16 and not in full-time education can apply.

Apprenticeships can take between one and four years to complete depending on the level of Apprenticeship, the apprentices' ability and the industry sector. The minimum salary is £95 a week; however, many apprentices earn much more.

Key benefits:
earn a salary
get paid holidays
receive training
gain qualifications
learn job-specific skills.
On the job training

Employers all over the country and indeed the world recognise and value Apprenticeships as they show that you've been trained in the skills they need.

Apprenticeships typically take between one and four years to complete, depending on the type of framework. There is no set time to complete an Apprenticeship as they vary widely in content and size. The length of time taken will depend on the ability of the individual apprentice and the employer's requirements.

Earn while you learn
Apprentices do real jobs for real employers. So you're paid while you learn. If you are entering work for the ?rst time, you will start earning from day one of your Apprenticeship. You will not thrown in at the deep end before you can swim so in the early days you can expect to be given simple, uncomplicated work to build up your confidence. You will be closely supervised and be advised on the teqniques required to perfect your skills by instructors or experienced tradesmen or women.

There is no set rate of pay for apprentices, however all employed apprentices must receive a wage of no less than £95 per week and a recent survey showed that the average wage per week for an apprentice is now around £170 and in some job roles around £210 per week.

As your skills develop, your pay will increase accordingly. You may also get additional money for essential books, clothing or equipment, or to help you with a disability. As an apprentice, you will receive the same bene?ts as other employees such as pension contributions, subsidised canteen and leisure facilities.

Apprenticeships are increasingly recognised as the gold standard for work-based training. Already, more than 130,000 employers offer Apprenticeships.

There are three levels of Apprenticeship available for those aged 16 and over:

1 - Apprenticeships (equivalent to five good GCSE passes)
Apprentices work towards work-based learning qualifications such as an NVQ Level 2, Key Skills and, in some cases, a relevant knowledge-based qualification such as a BTEC.
These provide the skills you need for your chosen career and allow entry to an Advanced Apprenticeship.

2 - Advanced Apprenticeships (equivalent to two A-level passes)
Advanced apprentices work towards work-based learning qualifications such as NVQ Level 3, Key Skills and, in most cases, a relevant knowledgebased certificate such as a BTEC.
To start this programme, you should ideally have five GCSEs (grade C or above) or have completed an Apprenticeship.

3 - Higher Apprenticeships
Higher Apprenticeships work towards work-based learning qualifications such as NVQ Level 4 and, in some cases, a knowledge-based qualification such as a Foundation degree.
Apprenticeships are designed with the help of the employers in the industry, so they offer a structured programme that takes you through the skills you need to do a job well.

There are targets and checks to make sure that your employer is supporting you and you are making progress.

As an employee you will be in employment for most of your time as most training takes place on the job. The rest usually takes place at a local college or a specialist training organisation. You can complete this off-the-job training on day release or over a number of days in a block.

The amount of time you spend varies according to your Apprenticeship. It could be anything from one day every other fortnight to two days every week.

You also spend time off the job with a training provider - often a local college or a work-based training provider - studying for vocational quali?cations. So all the things you study will be useful in your job and help you succeed in your future career.

There may be different entry requirements for Apprenticeships depending on the occupational sector. You just need to be living in England and not taking part in full-time education.

Apprenticeships are open to all age groups above 16years-old whether you are just leaving school, have been working for years or are seeking to start a new career.

Competition for apprenticeships with employers can be intense, so you will need to show that you are committed, and aware of your responsibilities to both yourself and the company that you apply to.

You also need to be happy to work as both part of a team and individually, and be able to use your own initiative.
There are lots of benefits to doing an Apprenticeship. You can earn while you learn, and learn in a way that is best suited to you - through hands-on experience on the job.

Earnings
Research shows that apprentices earn, on average, over £100,000 more throughout their lifetime than other employees. Your career doesn't have to stop at the Advanced Apprenticeship, if you want to go on to University you will find many institutes of Higher Education value your skills and knowledge and will happily offer you a place on a Foundation Degree or other higher level qualifications.

Support during training
Your employer or training provider will make sure you have support. Their job is to ensure that your training fits your personal requirements, offers the skills needed for the job and satisfies national standards. They should also support you through any difficult times.

Prospects
Apprenticeships can be demanding but they are very rewarding. Because Apprenticeships train you in the skills employers want, they give you choices in your career. When you've completed the apprenticeship you can carry on with further training perhaps in your own time and maybe with some time given to you by a supportive employer. This may be your route to promotion and to higher education in a college or university.

A choice of industries and employers
Apprenticeships have been developed by a wide range of industry sectors and are available with different types of employers from large national companies such as BT, British Gas, BMW the armed forces and the NHS to smaller local companies.

There are now over 190 types of Apprenticeships across many sectors. The right one for you will depend on your interests, your experience and the opportunities in your area. However, all Apprenticeships include the following elements:
An appropriate work-based qualification such as a National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) at either Level 2 or Level 3;
Key Skills qualifications, e.g. working in teams, problem-solving, communication and using new technology;
A technical qualification such as a BTEC or City & Guilds (relevant to the specific Apprenticeship);
Other qualifications or requirements as specified by the particular occupation.

If I change my employer do I have to start my apprenticeship all over again?

No - You can continue on the same Apprenticeship programme. If you are aged 19 and over and change employers after you have completed your first year, you will also be able to receive the national minimum wage.

I have a degree, can I do an apprenticeship?

Yes - You can do an Apprenticeship but you will not be eligible for funding. That means your employer would have to pay your training costs.
The only exception is if you have participated in the New Deal, where you will be eligible for Apprenticeship funding.

Where do I start in seeking an appreticeship?

Think about where a qualification could take you in your career - decide on the kind of skills and knowledge that you will need to get ahead. If you are already employed, you may want to talk to your employer or a workmate to help you with this.
For further information and guidance on getting started with your Apprenticeship, contact the National Apprenticeship Service at www.apprenticeships.org.uk or, if you are 13-19 years old, contact the Connexions Direct service by calling 080 800 13219 or visiting www.connexions-direct.com.

How do I learn during an apprenticeship?

An Apprenticeship is essentially a set of qualifications called a ‘framework' developed by Sector Skills Councils. Most Apprenticeship frameworks follow a standard format that comprises:
A National Vocational Qualification (Level 2 for Apprenticeships, Level 3 for Advanced Apprenticeships).
Key Transferable Skills.
A Technical Certificate.
The learning provider provides the knowledge and develops skills while the employer provides the practical experience to put those skills to the test. Training can be classroom based, in a workshop or in a workplace, depending on the subject and on the learning provider.

How do I find what apprenticeships are available?

The National Apprenticeship Service also runs Apprenticeships vacancies. This is an online system whereby employers and learning providers can advertise and manage vacancies, and potential apprentices can search, apply and then manage their applications for Apprenticeships and Advanced Apprenticeships opportunities anywhere in England.
The system is free and available on the Apprenticeships website at: www.apprenticeships.org.uk.

What are the advantages of an apprenticeship?

Getting qualified while on the job can also mean:
you work better and more effectively
it can set you up to move into new and better jobs
you get better pay
you get to experience new and different challenges
your existing skills and knowledge are recognised and can help you gain a qualification faster
you learn at your own pace and get support when you need it
better job security
you gain skills and knowledge which can be used across a range of jobs and industries.

Why should I bother with an appreticeship?

Career progression is excellent for apprentices, and over the course of their careers, those with an Apprenticeship earn, on average, £100,000 more than those without.
[A Cost-Benefit Analysis of Apprenticeships and Other Vocational Qualifications, University of Sheffield, 2007]
Some Apprenticeships already attract UCAS points or allow you to study for a Technical Certificate. The National Apprenticeship Service is working with UCAS to extend this system so that more qualifications gained during an Apprenticeship count towards an individual's university application.