If you’re considering undertaking an Apprenticeship, as well as looking at the type of work and training you will gain, the working hours and salary you will receive, you will need to look at the qualifications that you will achieve. These are usually a range of NVQs, Functional Skills qualifications, technical certificates and, at higher levels, a Higher National Certificate (HNC) or Higher National Diploma (HND). What is an NVQ? An NVQ, or National Vocational Qualification, is often referred to as a ‘competence-based’ qualification. To achieve an NVQ, students are assessed on-the-job by an NVQ assessor who evaluates their performance […]
Monthly Archives: October 2014
More than 700 new employers on board with apprenticeships
As part of the government’s apprenticeships trailblazers scheme a huge range of new apprenticeships are being designed. More than 700 employers are joining the scheme and 76 new apprenticeships are being designed to cover a huge range of new industries and job roles including things like TV production, fashion, boatbuilding, the armed forces, the nuclear sector and professional services. Business Secretary Vince Cable said: “Our reforms have empowered businesses large and small to design and deliver world-beating apprenticeships that offer a real route to a successful career.” These new apprenticeships will be a great supplement to the wide range of apprenticeships […]
Cameron to create 3 million apprenticeships
Should Prime Minister David Cameron return to No 10 in next May’s general election, he plans to make big changes to benefits, welfare and apprenticeships. His plans to end youth employment will be powered by an aim to create up to 3 million new apprenticeships by 2020. Cameron says that the plan “will help give us the skills to compete with the rest of the world. And it will mean more hope, more opportunity, and more security for our young people, helping them get on in life and make something of themselves.” In order to create these additional apprenticeships, the […]
Richard Branson says that University isn’t always the right option
In a recent interview with The Guardian, Richard Branson has said that for years the majority of young people have been encouraged to go to University when for many it is “not the right fit”. Branson believes that apprenticeships and vocational training are an excellent option for young people, better equipping them with “the skill sets required for industry”. Richard Branson isn’t the first to have voiced this opinion, and it’s an issue that we’ve talked about in the ATG Apprenticeships news pages a few times – is university the best option for you and what you want to do? You […]
Employers want young people with real world experience
In a recent survey conducted by the British Chamber of Commerce, employers were asked about their views on young people in the workplace. The results showed that more than half of businesses feel that university graduates aren’t prepared for the workplace as they lack basic workplace skills such as communication and team working. The study didn’t, however, discuss Apprenticeships. Of course, Apprenticeships are quite different because employers recruiting Apprentices aren’t expecting these recruits to have as much experience of these skills, but are looking for young people with the potential to quickly learn these skills on the job, alongside their […]
Small businesses are keen to employ apprentices
Recent reports show that many small businesses are keen to employ apprentices. The 2014 Albion Ventures Growth report looked at the challenges and opportunities that are faced by small and medium-sized businesses. It found that many of these businesses need to bring in more staff to learn the business and the key skills that they need to grow. The report also highlights that these businesses are looking for employees who will grow with their business. This is why these companies want to hire apprentices who can come into the business and learn the key skills required for them to succeed. […]
Don’t want to stay in school until you’re 18?
Changes to the laws in England mean that from 2014 young people must be in some form of education or training until they are 17 years old, and from 2015 this changes to the age of 18. But what if you don’t want to stay in school until you’re 18? Well, don’t worry, there are many other options available. Why not consider an Apprenticeship? Apprenticeships are a great way to get started in your career. You will learn the practical skills that you need in your role. And the roles available are hugely varied, with options across a range of […]
Vince Cable’s recommendations on Apprenticeship wages
From 1st October 2014 the National Minimum Wage for apprentices aged 16 to 18 was increased to £2.73, although the majority of employers already tend to pay more than this. Vince Cable, Liberal Democrat Business Secretary is recommending, however, that this National Minimum Wage be increased by more than £1 per hour to help encourage more young people to take up apprenticeships. Mr Cable will be presenting his plans to increase the National Minimum Wage for apprentices from £2.73 per hour to £3.79 per hour to the Low Pay Commission (LPC). These recommendations will be reviewed by the LPC who will […]
Oxford University promoting apprenticeships scheme
Emphasising the continued upturn that apprenticeship schemes are now playing as a serious viable route to successful careers, the world renowned university establishment of Oxford are now promoting their apprenticeship scheme. The scheme has been running for the last few years and has grown from three in 2009 to seventeen in 2014 with more to be advertised. The University, who utilise ATG Training’s facilities for some of their apprenticeships, are the largest employer in Oxfordshire with an estimated annual £750 million injection into the local economy and their burgeoning apprenticeship scheme shows how seriously the University is looking at apprenticeships […]
Apprenticeships Pledge from Labour leader, Ed Miliband
As part of Labour’s Party conference in Manchester, leader Ed Miliband said that Apprenticeships would be one of his party’s “national goals” if they were in government. Mr Miliband stated that he would like to see the number of apprentices match the number of university goers by 2025 as part of a 10 year plan to transform the UK. Mr Miliband stated that many young people he has spoken to argue that schools are not giving the necessary support to for them regarding their apprenticeship options and that previous governments had been “useless” in making proper provision for alternatives to […]
