Employing Apprentices in schools

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Call 08000 150 600 or visit apprenticeships.org.uk

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Apprenticeships can bring real benefits to your school and your staff

They are a proven way to:

• helpyoufillskillsgaps,bringgreaterdiversitytoyourworkforceandrecruitambitiouspeoplewhomakethingshappen;

• trainanddevelopyourcurrentworkforceandgrowtheworkforceofthefuture;

• improvestaffmorale,effectivenessandretention;and

• developtheskillsoflocalpeopleandinvolvetheminthedeliveryofakeylocalservice.

Introducing Apprenticeships

Apprenticeships can make schools more effective by addressing skills gaps directly, both to improve the skills of existing staff and to help you secure new staff with the skills you need by offering them clear training and career pathways.

Theyaredesignedtohelpnewandexistingemployeesreachahighlevelofcompetencyandperformance.TherearemanyApprenticeshipframeworksthatcanbenefitschools,includingSupportingTeachingandLearning,Children’sCare,LearningandDevelopment,BusinessAdministration,HospitalityandCatering,CleaningandSupportServiceIndustry,InformationandLibraryServicesandITandTelecommsProfessionals.

Apprenticeshipshavebroughtmajorimprovementstoskillslevelsandorganisationeffectivenessintheprivatesector,andwiththeexpansionofApprenticeship

placesinthepublicsector,schoolsnowhaveagreatopportunitytotakeadvantageofthepossibilitiesthatApprenticeshipsoffer.Some4,500newApprenticeshipplaceshavebeenmadeavailableintheschoolsandwiderchildren’sworkforcein2009/10.ThismeansthatthereisnobettertimethannowtomakeApprenticeshipspartofyourworkforcedevelopmentplans.

TheseApprenticeshipplacesareparticularlytargetedonyoungpeopleaged16–18,eitherfornewrecruitsorexistingstaff.

Bringingyoungerpeopleintotheworkforcecanbringmanybenefitstoschools.Theexperienceofschoolsthathaveemployedapprenticeshashighlighted:

• thecommitment,enthusiasmandambitionofthoseonaformalApprenticeshipprogramme;

• flexibilityintheworkforce,andvalueformoneyforschoolsinemployingapprentices;

• thatApprenticeshipsareparticularlyusefulindevelopingformalstructuresandcareerpathsforsupportstaff;

• thatApprenticeshipsareaneasywayofmeetingspecificskillsneedswithinaschool;and

• theabilityofyoungapprenticesinavarietyofrolestoengagewithpupils.

Schoolscanplayanimportantroleinreducingthenumberofpeopleatriskofunemploymentthroughprovidingopportunitiestoyoungpeople,especiallyschoolleaversorthosepeoplereturningtowork.Assuch,schoolsofferingApprenticeshipopportunitieswillmakeasignificantcontribution,notonlytothosepeopletheyemploybutalsotothewidercommunity.Schoolscanfeelproudtobeemployersofapprentices.

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Who are they for?YoucanuseApprenticeshipstotrainbothnewandexistingemployees.TheycouldbeforstaffworkinginTeachingAssistantrolesorinothersupportrolessuchasIT,cateringoradministration.

What are Apprenticeships?Theyarework-basedtrainingprogrammesdesignedaroundtheneedsofemployers,whichleadtonationallyrecognisedqualificationssuchasanationalvocationalqualification(NVQ)level2orlevel3aswellaskeyskillsand,inmostcases,arelevantknowledge-basedqualificationsuchasaBTEC.

Who runs them?ApprenticeshipframeworksaredesignedbytheSectorSkillsCouncils,whiletheNationalApprenticeshipServicehelpsfundthetrainingandprovidesanexpertsupportserviceacrossEngland.

The facts aboutApprenticeships:Your questions answered

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What does the training provider do?Atrainingproviderwillprovidearepresentativewhowillbeabletosupportandguideyou.Theywillworkwithyouto:

• helpyoudecidewhichApprenticeshipisrightforyourschoolandtheroleyouarehopingtofill;

• explainthewaythatApprenticeshipsmightworkforyouandiffundingisavailable;

• recruitanapprenticeorsupportyourexistingstaffintoApprenticeships;

• agreeatrainingplanwithyourapprentice;

• managethetrainingandevaluation;and

• ensurethatnationalqualitystandardsaremetanddeliverintegrated,coherenttraining.

How have Apprenticeships in schools been developed?In2007theTrainingandDevelopmentAgencyinitiatedaconsultationexerciseonhowtheTeachingAssistantApprenticeshipframeworksmightbemademoreappropriatetosupportstaffinremodelledschools.Theyconsultedwithproviders,employers,theSupportStaffWorkingGroup,theSchoolWorkforceDevelopmentBoard,theSTLAwardingBodyForumandtheSectorQualificationsForum.Followingtheconsultation,therevisedSTLApprenticeshipframeworkswereapprovedinthesummerof2008.

ForApprenticeshipframeworksinBusinessAdministration,HospitalityandCateringandothernon-teachingframeworks,businessrepresentativesfromtherelevantindustrysectorworkwiththeSectorSkillsCouncilstodevelopthecoursecontent.

Where do they take place?Thisisuptoyou.Mostofthetrainingis‘onthejob’atyourschool.Therestcanbeprovidedbyalocalcollegeorbyaspecialisttrainingprovider,oryoucoulddelivertheApprenticeshipframeworkyourself.

Do apprentices learn basic skills?Yes.Allapprenticesmustlearnkeyskillsthatsupportthemintheirjob,includingCommunicationandApplicationofNumbers.TheymayalsotakeotherkeyskillssuchasInformationandCommunicationTechnology,WorkingwithOthersandProblemSolving.

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What are my responsibilities as an employer?Youmustgiveyourapprenticesaninductionintotheirroleandprovideon-the-jobtraining.Youarealsoresponsibleforpayingyourapprentices’wages.

Will there be a mountain of paperwork?No.Thereisaneedtoensurethatthetrainingprovidedisofahighquality,andthatthepublicfundingprovidedisusedfortraining,butthisisnotabureaucraticprocess.

2.AdvancedApprenticeships(equivalenttotwoA-levelpasses).Advancedapprenticesworktowardswork-basedlearningqualificationssuchasanNVQlevel3,KeySkillsand,inmostcases,arelevantknowledge-basedcertificatesuchasaBTEC.Tostartthisprogramme,candidatesshouldideallyhavefiveGCSEs(gradeCorabove)orhavecompletedanApprenticeship.

3.HigherApprenticeships.ApprenticesontheHigherApprenticeshipsschemeworktowardswork-basedlearningqualificationssuchasanNVQlevel4and,insomecases,aknowledge-basedqualificationsuchasaFoundationdegree.

Are there different levels of Apprenticeship?Yes.TherearethreelevelsofApprenticeshipavailable.

1.Apprenticeships(equivalenttofivegoodGCSEpasses).Apprenticesworktowardswork-basedlearningqualificationssuchasanNVQlevel2,KeySkillsand,insomecases,arelevantknowledge-basedqualificationsuchasaBTEC.

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Can I get help with funding?Yes.ApprenticeshipfundingisavailablefromtheNationalApprenticeshipService.Thesizeofthecontributionvariesdependingontheframeworkandtheageofthecandidate.Iftheapprenticeisaged16–18youwillreceive100percentofthecostofthetraining;iftheyare19+,youwillreceiveupto50percent.

How do I choose a training provider?IfyoucontacttheNationalApprenticeshipServiceon08000150600anemployerrepresentativewillhelpandguideyouthroughtheprocessofrecruitingapprentices.TheywillbeabletoprovidealistofsuitabletrainingprovidersandtheywillalsoadviseyouaboutqualitymarkssuchastheTrainingQualityStandard.Thisisanindependentqualitymarkrecognisingthebestprovidersoftrainingsolutionstoemployers.Visittrainingqualitystandard.co.uk

Where can I read about other schools’ experiences?YoucanseetheopinionoftwoschoolsthatofferApprenticeshipsonpages10and11ofthisbrochureandyoucanalsofindcasestudiesonapprenticeships.org.uk.Youcanreadaboutmoregeneralemployers’experiencesatemployersforapprentices.gov.uk.

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Category Sub-categories RelevantApprenticeshipframework Apprenticeships AdvancedApprenticeships

Learningsupportstaff

Teachingassistants SupportingTeachingandLearninginSchools ✓ ✓

Coversupervisors SupportingTeachingandLearninginSchools ✓ ✓

Specialneedsassistants SupportingTeachingandLearninginSchools ✓ ✓

Languagesupport SupportingTeachingandLearninginSchools ✓ ✓

EarlyYearsstaff Children’sCare,LearningandDevelopment ✓ ✓

Nurserynurses Children’sCare,LearningandDevelopment ✓ ✓

SportscoachesActiveLeisureandLearning ✓ ✓

SportingExcellence ✓

Pupilsupport Guidanceworkers AdviceandGuidance ✓ ✓

Learningmentors AdviceandGuidance ✓ ✓

PlayworkersAdviceandGuidance ✓

ActiveLeisureandLearning ✓ ✓

Careersadvisors AdviceandGuidance ✓ ✓

Schoolnurses HealthandSocialCare ✓ ✓

Middaysupervisors ActiveLeisureandLearning ✓ ✓

Administrativestaffandschoolbusinessmanagers

Administrativeassistants BusinessAdministration ✓ ✓

Secretaries BusinessAdministration ✓ ✓

Businessmanagers BusinessAdministration ✓ ✓

Receptionstaff CustomerService ✓ ✓

Financeofficers Accounting ✓ ✓

Communityoutreach CommunityDevelopment ✓ ✓

Specialist/technicalstaff

ICTstaff ITandTelecommsProfessionals ✓ ✓

Laboratorytechnicians LaboratoryTechnicians ✓ ✓

Librarystaff InformationandLibraryServices ✓

Foodtechnicians FoodManufacture ✓ ✓

DesignandTechnologytechnicians

Design✓ ✓

Sitestaff Premisesmanagers CleaningandSupportServiceIndustry ✓

Groundsmaintenancestaff AmenityHorticulture ✓ ✓

Kitchen/cateringstaff HospitalityandCatering ✓ ✓

Cleaningstaff CleaningandSupportServiceIndustry ✓

Security SecurityIndustry ✓ ✓

Apprenticeshipsaresuitableforawiderangeofrolesintheschoolworkforce.

TablebasedonACLConsultingreportApprenticeships for School Support Staff,February2009

Types of Apprenticeships

Your next steps: Get started with Apprenticeships

The next step is to discuss your exact training requirements with an Apprenticeship representative. If you haven’t already been in contact with us, please call

08000 150 600 or visit

apprenticeships.org.uk

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YourApprenticeshiprepresentativewillcalltoarrangeameeting

YourApprenticeshiprepresentativewillhelpyouidentifyasuitabletrainingprovider

Discussyourspecificneedswiththetrainingprovider

ConfirmthenumberofemployeeswhowillstartApprenticeships

Starttherecruitmentprocess–newapprenticescanberecruitedusingApprenticeshipvacanciesonline

EmployeesstartApprenticeships

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Recruitment made easy: Advertise your vacancies online

Candidates can now use Apprenticeship vacancies online via apprenticeships.org.uk to search and apply for Apprenticeships. This new service enables you to advertise your vacancies online and find candidates who match your criteria.

Thesystemmatchesyourvacancywithsuitablecandidatesandwillsendamessagealerttotheirinboxinvitingthemtoapply.Theycandosoonlineusingasimplere-usableform.

TheonlinesystemmakesiteasierforemployerstoadvertiseApprenticeshipvacanciesandforpotentialcandidatestoapply.Itisconvenientbecauseitallowsyoutomanagetherecruitmentprocessinoneplaceonline.ItshouldenableyoutofindtheperfectmatchforeachApprenticeshipopportunityyouadvertise.

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Cramlington Learning Village1CramlingtonLearningVillageinNorthumberlandisasecondaryschoolthatprovideseducationforover2,000students.TheICTsupportdepartmenthasofferedtwoApprenticeships.

Bothindividualswereagedbetween18and20whentheystartedtheirplacementsandwereemployedonafull-timecontractforthedurationoftheplacementorforamaximumoftwoyears.TheapprenticesworkedaspartoftheICTsupportdepartmentprovidingusersupport,onlineservicessupportandaudio-visualsupportaswellastherefurbishmentofteachingspacestomeettheneedsof21st-centurylearners.

ThefirstapprenticewassuccessfulincompletingtheNVQ,hassecuredaplacewithinCramlingtonLearningVillageandisnowfirstcontactforsupportintheJuniorLearningVillageandDBlock.Thesecondapprenticehascompletedthetwo-yearNVQinlessthan10monthsandhassecuredacontractwithCramlingtonLearningVillageasfirstcontactfortheLearningPlaza.

‘The benefit to Cramlington Learning Village has not only been in the increased number of support service personnel, but in securing enthusiastic, passionate staff that understand the educational ICT support industry.

‘Employing apprentices allowed current staff to transfer skills and work methods. It also created upward pressure and good working competition within the department.’

LineManager,CramlingtonLearningVillage

Case studies: The experience of schools so far

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Forsbrook Primary School2ForsbrookPrimarySchoolisanaverage-sizedprimaryschoolinavillagesettinginStaffordshire.Theschoolhas220pupilsaged4–11.Theschoolemploys33staffincluding9teachingassistants.

TheschoolhastakenontwocohortsofapprenticesontheTeachingAssistantFramework.Inthefirstcohortin2005theschoolrecruitedoneapprentice,andin2007ittookontwoapprenticeswhoarecomingtotheendoftheirsecondyear.

SueDuroseisresponsibleforsupervisingtheteachingassistantswithintheschool,includingtheapprentices.Sheconsidersthatbyrecruitingapprenticestheschoolbenefitsfrombeingabletomouldtheyoungpeopletoitsethos:

‘With apprentices… you have that blank canvas. Every school is different and expects different things from their staff. By showing commitment to the apprentice, providing a role model, with a high level of support we keep them in post.’

Recruitmentfortheapprenticesisorganisedbythetrainingprovider,StaffordshireCountyCouncil.Sueconsidersthatthisisasignificantbenefit,bothintermsofreducingadministrationandgettingaccesstothebestcandidates:

‘We get the students once they have been through an interview process so we feel confident in the fact that we are going to get a quality student.’

Whenfillingentry-levelvacanciesSueconsidersthattheschoolwouldprioritiseapprenticesinthefuture:

‘I think because we know the Apprenticeship scheme has worked well for us, we would now look favourably on the scheme.’

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The National Apprenticeship Service (NAS) was announced in January 2008 and officially launched in April 2009. Reporting to the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills and the Department for Children, Schools and Families, the service will drive forward the Government’s ambition for Apprenticeships. The service aims to bring about a significant growth in the number of employers offering Apprenticeships.

NASwillprovideaconsistent,expertserviceacrossEngland,assumingtotalresponsibilityforthedeliveryofApprenticeships,includingemployerservices,learnerservicesandApprenticeshipvacanciesonline.Theservicehasultimateaccountabilityforthenationaldeliveryoftargetsandco-ordinationofthefundingforApprenticeshipplaces.

ItwillacttoovercomebarrierstothegrowthoftheprogrammeandassumeresponsibilityforpromotingApprenticeshipsandtheirvaluetoemployers,learnersandthecountryasawhole.

About theNational ApprenticeshipService

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Call 08000 150 600 or visit apprenticeships.org.uk

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apprenticeships.org.uk

08000150600

©NationalApprenticeshipService2009

PublishedbytheNationalApprenticeshipService

Extractsfromthispublicationmaybereproducedfornon-commercialeducationalortrainingpurposesonconditionthatthesourceisacknowledgedandthefindingsnotmisrepresented.

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