You are here: Home » Business Training » Business Training Apprenticeships

Business Training Apprenticeships

One hundred day Apprenticeship Challenge ...

Thursday 28 April saw the end to the Somerset 100 in One Hundred Apprenticeship Challenge with a celebratory event held in Taunton.  515 new Apprenticeship opportunities were created far exceeding the initial target of 100 placements in one hundred days. 

The Somerset 100 in One Hundred Apprenticeship Challenge was launched in January involving Yeovil College and other colleges and private Training Providers in Somerset.  The initial target of 100 opportunities was reached on Day 17 when the Challenge was renamed 100 + 100 Apprenticeship Challenge.  When that target was exceeded, the Challenge was then renamed the 100 Day Apprenticeship Challenge. 

The real aim of the Challenge was to raise the awareness of Apprenticeships in the community.  It encouraged employers to take on an apprentice. 

Jack Fleming, Employer Services Manager with the National Apprenticeship Service, said; “The 100 in One Hundred Challenge was a marvellous achievement.  This is not the end of the project.  In the current climate Apprentices are becoming more popular as the qualifications included in the Frameworks consist of competence, knowledge and functional skills required in industry and give the necessary career route choices within employment. The Challenge has created more job opportunities in Somerset.

Rupert Cox, Chief Executive of Somerset Chamber said; “What a campaign – what a team! He added “It is a worthwhile option to do an Apprenticeship.  Apprenticeships are a good way of earning while learning.  One of the roles of the Chamber is to support the business partnership.  There is a mass of young people who need to recognise that Apprenticeships are a career.”    

Everyone involved with the campaign has been delighted with the amount of pledges received.  The campaign has been fun and a lot has been learnt along the way.   

If you are interested in taking on an Apprentice, please contact the Apprenticeship Team on 01935 845392 

Read more about the Challenge here 

Apprenticeships

Apprenticeships can make your organisation more effective, competent, productive and competitive by addressing your skills gap directly. They are designed to help young employees and future employees reach a high level of competency and performance.

All apprentices are required to be employed; either an existing member of staff or a new recruit is eligible. There are different levels of apprenticeships that allow young people to study at the right level - NVQ Level 2 (Intermediate Apprenticeships) or NVQ Level 3 (Advanced Apprenticeships). They also include Functional Skills and in most cases, a Technical Certificate. The NVQ is assessed in the workplace and the Technical Certificate and Functional Skills are normally delivered and assessed in College - usually by attending up to one day a week.

Throughout apprenticeships a Training Co-ordinator will be able to support and guide you and your employee. They will work with you to help you decide which apprenticeship is right for your employee, explain the way in which the apprenticeship works and what funding is available. The Training Co-ordinator will also carry out regular 12-weekly reviews of progress with yourself and your apprentice.

Key Skills

All Apprenticeship Frameworks include Application of Number and Communication Key Skills at Level 1 or 2 and incorporate ICT and the wider skills of Improving Own Learning, Working With Others and Problem Solving where appropriate and to the relevant level for the job role. 

Heading towards 2010, Functional Skills in English, Maths and ICT will replace Key Skills ensuring a sound base of knowledge and skills to tackle the skills gap in England.

Apprenticeships are available in the following occupational areas:

For further information please contact the Apprenticeship Team on: 01935 845392