Apprenticeships
Apprenticeships are a great way for you to 'earn while you learn' and gain qualifications. You will work with a local employer and train for one day a week or fortnight at The Learning Shop in College. A contract is formed between you, your employer and us to ensure the programme is working effectively.
The Learning Shop will check that your employer pays you a fair wage in accordance with the National Minimum Wage guidelines, and that they provide a safe working environment, including appropriate working hours, releasing you from work to attend your training programme.
All Apprenticeships include the following basic elements:
- An appropriate National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) at either Level 2 or Level 3
- Key Skills or functional skills qualifications, including communication and application of number
- A technical certificate
Other qualifications or requirements as specified by the particular occupation e.g. ERR – Employment Rights and Responsibilities.
Many of the well known business people and entrepreneurs’ took the apprenticeship route in to retail!
Apprenticeship Case Studies
Dan Rogers
In 2009 Blue water Shopping Centre launched the Bluewater Apprenticeship Scheme as part of the 10th year anniversary of the opening of Bluewater. The scheme was the first of the kind in the UK and has been subsequently heralded an exemplar.
Dan Rogers from Bexley, Kent completed the one year Apprenticeship. The Level 2 Retail Apprenticeship is a dual qualification made up of Retail Skills which is a competency based qualification delivered in the workplace, and Retail Knowledge which is the technical certificate delivered by expert Retail Lectures at The Learning Shop. Dan and five others Apprentices selected following a tough selection process, had a fantastic opportunity to work alongside the team at Bluewater Management for twelve weeks and a retail placement within one of the UK’s leading flagship stores for another twelve weeks. Dan’s work placement was at Boots.
Dan applied for the scheme because of his keen interest in retail and his ambition to progress within a dynamic industry. Dan feels overall that the Bluewater Apprenticeship Scheme was the ideal route for him as the skills he learnt prepared him for the industry and taught him valuable techniques which he still uses in his current job. Dan said his time on the Bluewater Apprenticeship Scheme was an enjoyable and very worthwhile experience and would recommend the scheme to anyone who has an interest in retail.
Two years on after completing his Apprenticeship Dan is working for luxury tailor TM Lewin in Bluewater and working towards his retail career.
Vicky Collingwood
After such a successful first year preparations soon began to recruit for the second year of Apprentice’s. After in excess of 300 applications, September 2010 saw seven more Apprentices selected for the Bluewater Apprenticeship Scheme and year two proved to be an immense success.
16 year old Vicky Collingswood of Gravesend, Kent completed the one year Level 2 Apprenticeship in Retail. Vicky alongside the six other Apprentices selected had the fantastic opportunity to work with the team at Bluewater Management as well as an extended placement within a Retail flagship store at Bluewater. Vicky’s work placement was at international children clothing store Pumpkin Patch, where she made such an impact she was offered a permanent position.
Vicky left school and knew immediately she wanted to become an Apprentice. She was eager to carry on gaining new skills and experience while earning.
Vicky feels completing the Apprenticeship has given her the opportunity to explore all the different aspects of retail, giving her the right experience to succeed in her career it has also encouraged her to strive to be successful. She would recommend Apprenticeship Schemes to a business as it help young people to start their careers and even improves the business through personal impact.
Having completing the Apprenticeship, Vicky is now employed on a permanent part time contract at Pumpkin Patch, while she studies the Diploma in Fashion Retail course at The Learning Shop.
Frequently asked questions
What type of apprenticeship will I do?
Depending on your qualifications and sector that you go into, apprenticeships come in two levels. An Apprentice is studied at Level 2 and an Advanced Apprenticeship is studied at Level 3.
How much will I be paid?
National minimum apprenticeship wage is £2.60 per hour but some employers give incentives.
How many hours will I work?
The amount of hours you work is normally between 30 – 40 hours per week depending on the employer.
What training will I get?
You will be expected to attend college one day per week in addition to completing your qualification on site with the employer.
Workshops, Distance Learning and E Learning are some times options.
Depending on your qualifications you may be required to complete functional skills which are included in your college day.
How long does my apprenticeship last?
Depending on what area you are working in apprenticeships normally last between 12 – 24 months.
How much will it cost me?
If you are between 16 – 19 years of age the apprenticeship is fully funded. If you are over 19 50 % of the apprenticeship is funded and the employer will make a contribution of 50%. Each apprenticeship is agreed on a case by case basis.
Is there a guaranteed job at the end of the apprenticeship?
97% of the apprentices end up being employed permanently by the company they are employed by.
What happens if I lose my apprenticeship placement?
We will support you in securing another placement but the onus is on you to find another employer. You cannot complete your apprenticeship without a placement due to the qualification being on the job.
