learn and earn. Apprenticeship guide. www. GATESHEAD. AC.UK
HELLO. We know it s not always easy to decide what to study after your GCSE exams. So we re here to help. An apprenticeship could be a great way to start your career if you like practical learning. It s also a great way to: Get straight into work Earn your own money Get a qualification Gain practical skills This handy guide will tell you all you need to know about apprenticeships, how to apply and how we can help you get job ready. Because we put everything we ve got into making sure you succeed. Every effort was made to ensure that information in this guide was correct at the time of going to print (August 2016). Gateshead College reserves the right to amend information at any time. Copyright Gateshead College 2016.
Q&A Work A paid job with an employer. What is an apprenticeship? An apprenticeship is a mix of work and training. + As an apprentice, you ll have a job with an employer where you ll work as a member of their team and be trained to do a specific role by your colleagues or supervisor. Training Time at college studying a nationally recognised qualification. You ll also spend time at Gateshead College where you ll receive up to date training that is relevant to your job and complete set coursework. + Skills Job relevant skills that you can apply to any role such as communication and team work. 4 5
Do I get a qualification? Yes. You will receive a qualification that is valued by employers and is recognised both nationally and internationally. Usually, the qualifications you ll receive will be a Technical Certificate and an NVQ. Are there different levels of apprenticeship? We offer three levels of apprenticeship training. If your employer agrees, you can progress from one level to another. What level will I start at? School leavers can start on a Level 2 or Level 3 apprenticeship, depending on your exam results, experience and the kind of candidate the employer is looking for. What will I get paid? The average salary is 170 per week. Some employers will pay more than this, some will pay less, but no less than a set national minimum wage. The salary will be advertised with the job. I don t have good English and maths GCSE grades. What can I do? If you don t meet the entry qualifications for English and maths, don t panic. You can start on a full time vocational qualification with us and we ll help you gain the grades you need. Then when you re ready, you can apply for an apprenticeship. How long will I be an apprentice for? It depends upon the type of apprenticeship and can vary from 12 months to four years. What can I do after an apprenticeship? With a CV bursting with work experience and job ready skills, you ll be ideally placed to secure a job in your chosen field following an apprenticeship. The majority of apprentices stay in employment with two thirds staying with their apprentice employer. Or you can progress onto a foundation degree or HND, many of which can be studied part time so you can continue to work. Level 2 Apprenticeship This is the same level as GCSEs. Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship This is the same level as A levels. Level 4 Higher Apprenticeship This is the same as a foundation degree. Will I get any holidays? Yes. You will be entitled to a minimum of 20 days holiday, plus 8 statutory days such as Bank Holidays. What are the entry qualification requirements? For most apprenticeships positions, you need to have four GCSEs at grades C/4 or above, including maths and English, or a GNVQ in a related subject. However, a positive attitude and previous work experience may also be taken into account. I don t have any qualifications, can I still do an apprenticeship? At Gateshead College we offer a range of introductory training courses and pre-apprenticeships which are designed to give you the skills you need to progress onto an apprenticeship. For more information call 0191 490 2246. How much time do I spend at Gateshead College? This will depend on the type of apprenticeship you do. For some apprenticeships, you ll spend four days in work and one day at Gateshead College. For others, you might spend several weeks in work, then spend a week at college. Can I still go to university? Yes. Some apprenticeships attract UCAS points or lead to foundation degrees and HND s which enable you to progress on to a full honours degree programme at university. 6 7
WHAT CAN I TRAIN IN? No longer just for the traditional trades, apprenticeships can be the starting point for a wide range of exciting careers. WE OFFER TRAINING IN: 8 Beauty Therapy Bricklaying Bus & Coach Engineering and Maintenance Business Administration Business Improvement Techniques Building Maintenance Children and young people s workforce Community Arts Creative and Digital Media Cultural and Heritage Venues Customer Service Driving Goods Vehicles Electrical Installation Engineering - General Engineering - Maintenance Hairdressing Health and Social Care Hospitality and Catering IT Leadership Health and Social Care Live Events and Promotions Management Manufacturing Music Business Plastering Plumbing and Heating Rail Retail Skills Social Media and ICT Supply Chain Team Leading Technical Theatre Vehicle Body Repair and Paint Vehicle Mechanic (Light and Heavy) Warehousing/Storage/Logistics 9
HOW TO APPLY. 1Apply for a vacancy All our vacancies can be found on our website. Simply find the one you like, send us your details and we ll take it from there. Find our vacancies here: www.gateshead.ac.uk/ apprenticeships 2Sign up to alerts If you can t find a vacancy that s right for you, you can sign up to our apprenticeship alerts. As soon as a vacancy becomes available we ll let you know and help you prepare. Sign up for alerts here: www.gateshead.ac.uk/ apprenticeships 3Fast track from a vocational programme If you re not sure if an apprenticeship is right for you or you don t have the right GCSE English and maths grades to be able to apply, no problem. You can start on a full time vocational course in the relevant subject area and we ll help you gain the grades you need to apply for an apprenticeship, alongside the vocational qualification. Then, when you re ready, you can fast-track to an apprenticeship. Find our vocational courses here: www.gateshead.ac.uk To apply, simply come along to an open event. For dates, see the back page. Apprenticeships are well worth considering at a time when so many young people are out of work. Stacey Defty Team Leader, Enchanted Forest Softplay Activity Centre 10 11 11
Taking up the apprenticeship is the best career move I could have made. Stephen McCarron Nissan apprentice 12 13
The average salary for an apprentice is... The apprenticeship training doesn t just teach you hand skills, it helped me with my organisation and time keeping as well. 170 a week 1 4 2 5 3 6 c X Chris Wilson Apprentice Bricklayer, Persimmon Homes 7 8 0 9 14 15
OUR CAMPUS. Our apprentices train in one of our 80 million world-class academies, packed full of industry standard facilities which are some of the best in the UK. Baltic Campus Quarryfield Road, Gateshead Skills Academy for Construction Team Valley, Gateshead Skills Academy for Automotive, Engineering, Manufacturing & Logistics Team Valley, Gateshead Training kitchens Baltic Salon & Spa 200-seat theatre Music recording studios Two floor learning centre Gym Three restaurants Costa coffee Starbucks Science labs Relaxed social spaces Just ten minutes walk from Gateshead Interchange. Q1/Q2 and the 93/94 Loop bus link Gateshead and Newcastle direct to Baltic Campus. www.simplygo.com Free car parking. Workshop space Library Social space with vending facilities The 93/94 Loop bus connects the Interchange and wider Gateshead to the Academy, and all bus routes from across region go to Gateshead Interchange. www.simplygo.com Mechanical maintenance workshops Welding and fabrication workshops Electronic lab Computer Numerical Control facilities Spray paint booths Rolling road The nearest Metro station is Gateshead Interchange. Free car parking. 16 17
OUR CAMPUS. Academy for Sport Neilson Road, Gateshead Skills Academy for Sustainable Manufacturing and Innovation Washington 83m indoor athletics track 3G artificial and grass pitches Boxing suite Olympic standard gym Pole vault, long jump and throw area Sports science and medicine facilities Just 10 minutes walk from Gateshead International Stadium. Free car parking. The 93/94 Loop bus connects the Interchange and wider Gateshead to the Academy, and all bus routes from across region go to Gateshead Interchange. www.simplygo.com Located opposite Nissan s Sunderland plant Modern, well-equipped classrooms with integrated IT Workshop space for production line, warehousing, robotics, hydraulics and pneumatics training Outdoor vehicle testing track Just 10 minutes walk from Gateshead International Stadium. The Fab 56 connects Gateshead and Sunderland to this academy. Free car parking. 18 19
Need help? No problem. Apprenticeship contact form For more information and to sign up for apprenticeship alerts, please complete this form. Personal details Name Address Our Apprenticeship Team are here to help with: General information and advice Completing application forms Writing a CV Preparing for interview Get in touch or pop in and see us. Postcode Mobile number Email Nationality GCSE English grade (or predicted grade) GCSE maths grade (or predicted grade) Date of birth www.gateshead.ac.uk/apprenticeships 0191 490 2364 apprenticeships@gateshead.ac.uk You can sign up online at www.gateshead.ac.uk/apprenticeships More over the page... 20 21
Please tick the type of apprenticeship you re interested in. You can select more than one. Beauty Therapy Bricklaying Bus & Coach Engineering and Maintenance Business Administration Business Improvement Techniques Building Maintenance Children and young people s workforce Community Arts Creative and Digital Media Cultural and Heritage Venues Customer Service Driving Goods Vehicles Electrical Installation Engineering - General Engineering - Maintenance Hairdressing Health and Social Care Hospitality and Catering IT Leadership Health and Social Care Live Events and Promotions Management Manufacturing Music Business Plastering Plumbing and Heating Rail Retail Skills Social Media and ICT Supply Chain Team Leading Technical Theatre Vehicle Body Repair and Paint Vehicle Mechanic (Light and Heavy) Warehousing/Storage/Logistics I d also like information on Vocational Study Programmes I d also like information on A Levels CAREER CHOICE. Throughout the year we hold events to help you to make an informed choice about what to study after GCSE exams. The options are varied and can feel overwhelming, so let us break them down in a way that s easy to understand. Who are they for? Parents/guardians and pupils in Years 9, 10 and 11. What can I expect? Independent advice from our expert team of Career Advisers on: The different course options: A Levels, apprenticeships & vocational courses How to make the choice that s right for you What to study if you want to get into university What qualifications you need for different types of careers University applications; how and when to apply Finance and support. Data Protection Gateshead College is registered under the Data Protection Act 1988. We may use the information we process about you for planning, analysis, marketing and other purposes related to your studies. Your information may also be shared with other official organisations, such as your school and Local Education Authorities. Please contact the College Data Protection Officer (Tel: 0191 490 2265) if you have any concerns about the use or accuracy of your information. I confirm the information given is correct Please return to: Corporate Administration Team, Gateshead College, Baltic Campus, Quarryfield Road, Gateshead NE8 3BE Join us at our events on: Wednesday 2 November 2016, 6pm - 9pm Monday 13 March 2017, 4.30pm - 7pm Monday 8 May 2017, 4.30pm - 7pm at Baltic Campus BOOK A PLACE NOW. 0191 490 2329 start@gateshead.ac.uk www.gateshead.ac.uk 23
Wednesday 2 November 2016 6pm - 9pm Careers Choice Event Monday 21 November 2016 Monday 12 December 2016 Monday 9 January 2017 Monday 6 February 2017 Monday 13 March 2017 Careers Choice Event Monday 3 April 2017 Monday 8 May 2017 Careers Choice Event Monday 12 June 2017 Monday 26 June 2017 Monday 3 July 2017 & Monday 10 July 2017 Monday 17 July 2017 Monday 24 July 2017 Monday 31 July 2017 Monday 7 August 2017 Monday 14 August 2017 Friday 18 August 2017 10am 4pm (A level clearing open day) Monday 21 August 2017 Thursday 24 August 2017 9.30am - 7pm (GCSE results day) Wednesday 30 August 2017 9.30am 7pm Thursday 31 August 2017 9.30am 5pm COME AND BE PART OF IT. Find out more and enrol. See website for more information and which campus to attend. www. GATESHEAD. AC.UK