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Swati Madhavji, Health and Social Care teacher from Gateway College:
"It is good for the students to get an understanding of the business environment at such an early age. The students can be prepared for their future working life through enrichment activities. It is also good for building on the students' self esteem. A regular GCSE course does not incorporate all these factors."
Teacher/Tutor Information
Young Apprenticeships the National Context
Young Apprenticeships (YA) have been introduced as part of the Government's drive to create a first class system of vocational and technical learning, offering young people a wider choice of flexible learning routes, and at the same time helping to narrow the skills gap. Some young people at age 14 are attracted to a more practical style of learning involving time spent in a work setting. The Young Apprenticeship programme offers students the chance to gain a taste of ‘real work' in a supported way, and to lay the foundations for a post 16 Apprenticeship whilst retaining the full range of other options for future training or study. It contributes to a more personalised approach to teaching and learning, centred on understanding the different learning styles and needs of individuals.
What is a Young Apprenticeship?
The YA programme is a small scale, high quality route at Key Stage 4 which allows students to have extended experience of work and pursue vocational qualifications (sometimes off site) whilst continuing with core curriculum studies. The programme is funded by the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) working together with the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) and delivered by a range of partners locally, including LEBC. It is designed for able and motivated students with good behaviour and attendance records and LEBC asks for a minimum SATS score at Key Stage 3 for the programmes it co-ordinates. Students participating in the programme will be based in school and will continue to pursue the statutory curriculum and qualifications. During the two days per week (or equivalent) that they spend on the programme, they'll work towards vocational qualifications. These will be taught through a combination of classroom delivery, training provision and direct experience of work. LEBC will also contribute to the experience by organising enrichment activities related to the sector that might include visits, trips, workshops etc. All the qualifications have been accredited as suitable for use by pupils at Key Stage 4.
The programme will include 50 days experience of work and much of the practical learning will be on the job. Teachers and designated employees or trainers will share responsibility for students' learning and industry standard equipment and practices apply, providing direct experience of what it's like to work in a sector and the requirements of the labour market. In Leicestershire LEBC offers two programmes of study, Business and Administration and Health and Social Care. Previous cohorts have already an enviable track record of success in BTEC and NVQ qualifications.
Developing through Young Apprenticeships
An important part of the course is developing the social skills needed in the workplace along with experience of the job itself. As well as meeting adults in the work, students have the chance to meet others on the scheme. They will also pursue broader enrichment and enterprise activities to enable them to have an understanding of business in the wider context.
Beyond the Young Apprenticeship programme
If students find the vocational route is right for them, they can choose to take a post 16 full time Apprenticeship. Their experience and qualifications may even help in completing this early. If they don't choose a full time course, students can still follow other routes of learning as they will have completed the core National Curriculum. After any of these options, pupils can progress to higher education - perhaps following a course at university that builds on their industry specific skills.
How does the programme work?
Young Apprenticeships are delivered by schools, colleges, training providers, education business link organisations and employers, working in local partnerships. There is no national model: each partnership is set up according to local needs.
For schools and colleges, the role of guidance is especially important given that Young Apprenticeships are a new route that involves learning in an unfamiliar and specialist environment. There will be a designated lead contact in school and they will attend progress meetings with the partnership regularly. Monitoring and evaluating work experience is a key element of the role of the school contact as is providing pastoral support for these young people. The partnership as a whole will be involved in:
- Acting as a support framework around pupils, with their personal well being in mind as well as their studies.
- Co-ordinating information so that for example, employers get information about students and their interests before they arrive on site, to help with the induction process.
- Helping organise the practicalities like travel arrangements to the workplace or training provider.
- Linking into the national programme for monitoring, reporting and evaluation purposes.
LEBC as lead partner will also have reporting obligations to the LSC and DCSF and will be responsible for disseminating best practice and information and general updates on various aspects of the programme. To discuss any aspect of the Young Apprenticeship programme or to find out how to take part, please contact Virginia Toon or click here. For sector specific and general information on the YA programme please visit the following websites:
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