Young Apprenticeships provide 14-16 year olds with a way to discover more about working in the Health, Social Care and Early Years Sectors. The Young Apprenticeship programme means young people can work towards a nationally recognised, vocationally related qualification, and still carry on with their mainstream education.
A Young Apprenticeship last for 2 years and Apprentices spend 50 days in the workplace. The rest of the time they’re at school as normal.
Who can do a Young Apprenticeship programme?
You may be able to take part in a Young Apprenticeship programme if:
How will it benefit me?
Students:
A Young Apprenticeship scheme is a great way to get real and valuable work experience together with a recognised vocationally related qualification. It can give you a real head start in getting a job in the future.
Employer:
The Young Apprenticeship programme gives your organisation the chance to become involved in shaping the workforce of the future. It’s only open to bright and motivated 14-16 year olds who are predicted to gain 5 A - C GCSEs or more, and who have expressed an interest in finding out about careers in the Health, Social Care or Early Years sectors.
If you want this type of employee working for you in the future, it makes sense to get involved now.
Here’s how it works: Young Apprentices will come to your premises for real work experience. They’ll work closely with a member of your staff who will look after them all the time they’re with you.
The rest of the training is provided by a local college, or a specialist learning organisation. Over a period of two years each Young Apprentice will have a total of 50 days' experience of work - enough to provide real insight into what it’s all about. Then, if they do go on to choose a career in Health, Social Care or Early Years, they are more committed and less likely to leave.
Education Provider
You can help students who want to combine practical studies with their GCSEs - many 14-16 year olds are keen to pursue their interest in vocational learning, and if that learning can take place in the context of ‘real work’, then so much the better.
Students at Key Stage 4 are recruited onto the Young Apprenticeship programme while their mainstream education continues as normal. All Young Apprentices must continue with the statutory curriculum for three days a week, whilst the other two are spent at college with a training provider, or with a local employer.
Each Young Apprentice is required to complete a portfolio demonstrating their work experience. This can be used to provide evidence of knowledge and give credits towards other qualifications and programmes. Each student is also encouraged to develop reflective learning practice using journals and diaries which show their work-based learning experiences. The whole process is personalised and each Young Apprentice has full support throughout the programme.
If you want to find out more about Young Apprenticeships visit the Skills for Health website and the YA website or contact us.
