Apprenticeships

Apprenticeships enable you to attract new staff to tackle their skill shortages.  Many employers also find that training through Apprenticeships has a positive impact on general staff morale, retention and productivity.

And for an apprentice, they do not view their Apprenticeship as just a job but as a stepping stone to a successful career, so potential employers need not worry about their enthusiasm and commitment.

You need to look forward to keep your business ahead of the competition.  And that is where Apprenticeships can help.

Apprenticeships ensure that your workforce have the practical skills and qualifications your organisation needs now and in the future.  The mixture of on and off job learning ensures they learn the skills that work best for your business.

“With the help, guidance and assistance of Thames Gateway Training we have benefited from the Apprenticeship scheme.  It has enabled us to create employment opportunities for young people in the area, whilst gaining a focussed and enthusiastic staff member, willing to learn and progress in our organisation, supported by the Apprenticeship scheme”

Jenny Branscombe, Financial and Operations Director, Royal Artillery Museum, Woolwich

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Helping my business

Apprenticeships can make your organisation more effective, competent, productive and competitive by addressing your skills gaps directly. 
 

Improved productivity

Apprenticeships equip young people with the skills and knowledge to do the job better. And because they are motivated they work harder and more effectively for your business.
 

As a result of their training apprentices are motivated and keen to learn. Their enthusiasm can also invigorate other staff members. By offering Apprenticeships you will find it easier to recruit and retain the right people for your organisation.
 

Apprenticeships are designed by businesses in your sector to meet the needs of your business. This means the training is always relevant and it is tailored to the needs of your sector by people who genuinely understand what you do.
 

Apprenticeships allow you to invest in your business' future. By taking on an apprentice you can acquire specialist skills for your business that allow you to keep abreast of new technology. 
 

What is an apprenticeship?

Apprentices learn through a combination of on and off the job learning.  On the job they work alongside your staff, off the job they attend a local learning provider, like Thames Gateway Training (usually on a day release basis) working towards nationally recognised qualifications.
 

Skills and qualifications

Young People undertaking Apprenticeships get ‘on-the-job’ training.  They build up knowledge and skills, gain qualifications and earn money all at the same time.  This will lead to National Vocational Qualifications (NVQs), Key Skills qualifications and a technical certificate.
 

Work experience

Being in the workplace allows the apprentice to gain a wide range of skills and knowledge specific to their chosen industry.  National Vocational Qualification (NVQs) are achieved through assessment and training in the workplace.  NVQs are nationally recognised qualifications that are accepted by employers and academic institutions.  People who complete an Apprenticeship will gain an NVQ Level 2.  Advanced Apprenticeships lead to an NVQ at Level 3.
 

Key skills

All apprentices have the opportunity to improve their Key Skills such as communication, number skills, team work, problem solving, improving own learning and information technology.Key Skills are essential skills that underpin success in education, employment, lifelong learning and personal development.  These Key Skills are essential to compete effectively in the labour market in any field.
 

Technical certificates

Technical certificates focus on the knowledge and understanding that underpins the NVQ competencies.  They include BTEC or City and Guilds qualifications.  They prove that the Apprentice understands the theory behind the job as well as being able to carry out the practical tasks.

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Your journey

1. Firstly you arrange for one of our team to visit you in your workplace
2. At this initial visit we
   • find out about you and you find out about us
   • explain the make up of an Apprenticeship
   • find out about your business training needs and tell you about other government-funded training opportunities
   • ask you what you expect from an apprentice
   • assess the suitability of the job and your workplace for an apprentice
   • also offer information, advice and guidance on may business matters, including health and safety
3. Next, we send you CV’s of candidates who we have assessed to be suitable for an apprenticeship in your business and interested in the position you have.  This saves you both time and recruitment costs.
4. You then select who you wish to interview and hopefully gain a valuable new employee for your team.
5. We arrange a start date with you.  All our learners undergo pre-placement health and safety training as we share legal responsibility for their safety with you.  You may be able to start the apprentice straightaway.
6. The apprentice will become one of your employees who you must pay at least the minimum wage (currently £80 per week).
7. The apprentice will normally work with you for four days each week with the fifth day attending college.
8. The basic apprenticeship takes on average about 12-15 months to complete.  During this time we will visit the apprentice in your workplace at approximately six-weekly intervals.  We do this to observe and assess their progress and competence in the workplace.  Together with their port folio this provides the basis of the NVQ element of their qualification. 

How else do I benefit?

A well trained administrator proficient in a number of IT systems is invaluable to an employer. If you are interested and could do with additional assistance in your office then an Apprentice could be for you.
 

• Professional support and advice throughout the programme for you and the learner
• Eager young learners from local boroughs
• No service charge, commission or college fees to pay
• You pay your apprentice a minimum of just £80 per week
• Candidates screened, interviewed and assessed before CVs submitted to you
• Free recruitment service
• An opportunity to train a young person to suit your business
• A not–for-profit, high quality training provider
  

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More about us

“particularly effective support to motivate learners”
“good overall success rates”
“good development of learners’ skills”

“caring and supportive staff”
“we’re treated professionally”
“training increases confidence”

Free health and safety training

Terms and conditions of free health and safety training 

The training

• Will take place at our facilities at the Royal Arsenal at Woolwich in south-east London.
• Will be given on a choice of dates (to be arranged) during July or August 2008
• Will last for approximately three hours
• Areas covered will include
• The legal position
• Risk management
• Fire safety
• The working environment
• Organising for safety
• Follows part of the British Safety Council Level 1 course

The conditions

• You have contacted us during May 2008 following receipt of our postcard marketing campaign
• Successful  assessment of the premises and apprenticeship position under the government’s apprenticeship scheme
• Your willingness to take on an apprentice within four months of our initial visit
  

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Contact

Thames Gateway Training
Cartridge Place
Royal Arsenal
London SE18 6ST

Telephone 020 8317 0165

Fax 020 8854 5596

Email admin@thamesgatewaytraining.co.uk

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