Sheldrake Apprenticeships Parents Guide
As a parent or guardian, you will be determined to support your child to find fulfilment and direction in their chosen career. Getting it right at the beginning can smooth the way to a long and successful working life, something we all hope for.
There are many elements to consider when supporting your child through the next step of their education. Finding the right options for a young person can be daunting and many parents/guardians will feel under prepared to advise on what apprenticeships really entail. Sheldrake training has gathered some of the essential information together to answer if an apprenticeship is going to be the right solution for your child.
What Is An Apprenticeship?
It is a genuine job, with training, meaning there is an opportunity to earn while you learn. At the end of an apprenticeship, when all assessments are successfully completed, a nationally recognised qualification will be awarded.
What Are The Benefits Of An Apprenticeship?
Apprenticeships have become more popular in recent years. They can lead to degree level qualifications and more universities and colleges are offering them, the trend for offering apprenticeship courses is increasing with over 70 national universities now offering them.
As a parent helping your child to decide whether an apprenticeship may be a good choice there are many benefits to consider:
- There is a real job to attend, this gives an individual a sense of worth, something that many young people find is missing when attending classroom only training.
- Enjoyable hands-on training with expert coaches which leads to superb technical skills in the chosen role. Many employers value these practical skills over academic knowledge.
- Earning a regular wage with paid holidays.
- Excellent progression opportunities, whether looking to study further or develop your career inhouse.
- Increased future earning potential – apprentices can enjoy higher salaries once qualified.
What Are The Entry Requirements?
Apprenticeships are available to anyone over the age of 16, living in England. There are different entry requirements depending on the sector and job.
Recent legislation has come into effect which changes the minimum English and maths requirements needed to complete an apprenticeship for people with a learning difficulty or disability. The changes will lower the English and Maths requirements for these apprentices to an Entry Level 3 qualification.
Level 2 Apprenticeships Requirements
Minimum: Level 1 English and maths (GCSE Grade E or 2).
Requirement: If you are aged 16-18 and don’t have the Functional Skills equivalent qualification, you will be expected to complete L1 and/or L2. If you are aged 19+ your employer will decide if they require you to complete functional skills.
Exceptions: If a Level 2 is difficult to achieve, Level 1 may be sufficient unless the framework or standard specifies otherwise. For Teaching Assistant L1 is not a requirement.
Level 3 and Higher Apprenticeships Requirements
Requirement: Level 2 English and maths (GCSE Grade C/4 or above).
Exceptions: For Senior Equine Groom L1 is not a requirement.
Functional Skills Requirements
If you don’t have GCSEs at Grade C/4 or above, you’ll need to complete Functional Skills qualifications.
Individual Apprenticeship Standards Requirements
Some standards may have additional or higher English and maths requirements.
What Can My Child Expect To Earn As An Apprentice?
The minimum wage for apprentices is £7.55 per hour, some employers may pay more than this. This is dependent on the sector, region and apprenticeship level.
More details on potential salaries and entry criteria go to apprenticeships page.
What Age Can My Child Consider An Apprenticeship?
The government has stated that all young people must stay in some form of education or training until at least their 18th birthday. Young people do not have to stay in school, and they have a choice about how they continue in education or training post 16 years, this of course could be through an apprenticeship.
What Other Information Should Parents Read?
Sheldrake Training has gathered additional information on topics that we feel would be useful for parents or guardians to go through: