Apprenticeships
Apprenticeship Routes
Currently in Northern Ireland, there are four apprenticeship routes available for trainees;
1. Skills For Life
2. Skills For Work
3. Programme-Led Apprenticeship
4. Apprenticeship NI
Our Apprenticeship Route Map also shows these routes towards an apprenticeship and how they work together. We have also detailed the entry requirements for each route, which will help you to decide which apprenticeship scheme is the most appropriate for you.
1. Skills For Life
This route is available for trainees with personal and development needs, who also have additional needs and learning disabilities due to either:
• Physical disability / special educational needs (including the Transitions group)
or
• Emotional, behavioural or social difficulties (including the ‘Not in Education Employment or Training’ – NEET – group)
This route will provide trainees with the basic skills required to progress to the Skills For Work scheme. The duration of this route depends on the ability of the trainee.
2. Skills For Work
This route is available for trainees who haven’t yet achieved the minimum requirements for the Programme-Led Apprenticeship Scheme.
Skills For Work will enable the trainee to achieve the basic skills and a vocationally-related qualification, to be able to gain employment, progress to either Programme-Led Apprenticeship or Apprenticeship NI, or go on to further education.
During Skills For Work, the trainee will undertake the following;
• A Level 1 qualification in their chosen trade
• Essential Skills in literacy, numeracy and computing
• Employability skills and career guidance
The duration of this route could be between 1 and 3 years, depending on the ability of the trainee.
3. Programme-Led Apprenticeship
The Programme-Led Apprenticeship route will give 16 and 17 year old school leavers (and up to 24 years old for those requiring additional support), the opportunity to gain a full apprenticeship qualification in a chosen skill area. This will be achieved through a combination of simulated off-the-job training and time spent with an employer on a work placement, one day per week.
This route is particularly applicable for those trainees who have yet to secure an employer.
The key elements of the Programme-Led Apprenticeship are as follows;
• 2 to 3 year programme.
• 21 hours over 2 or 4 days, in directed training, including project based skills learning and integrated practical projects that simulate typical industry activity.
• One day per week placement with an industry-appropriate employer in years 1 and 2.
• A Personal Training Plan is completed, which details the progression route for achieving the agreed qualifications.
• A NVQ qualification at Level 2 and working towards an NVQ at Level 3.
• Essential Skills which include literacy, numeracy and computing.
• A technical certificate appropriate to the apprenticeship
• Other shorter industry-related training, such as CSR
4. Apprenticeship NI
The Apprenticeship NI scheme offers the trainee an opportunity to train in their chosen trade and the employer the chance to develop a highly motivated and committed workforce.
Apprenticeship NI offers a range of training opportunities to ultimately achieve an industry-led qualification. An apprentice (who must be with an employer from day 1), can train in areas such as bricklaying, joinery, plastering, painting and decorating and many more. By participating in on-the-job training, the apprentice will complete and achieve a full apprenticeship, acquiring the knowledge and skills to be competent in their chosen career.
The key components of the Apprenticeship NI Scheme are as follows;
• The apprentice must be employed with a Northern Ireland based company to work a minimum of 21 hours, including time for off-the-job training.
• The scheme can take between 2 and 4 years to complete depending on the level of study and the ability of the trainee.
• Leads to a NVQ qualification at levels 2 and 3.
• Completion of an intermediate and Advance Technical Certificate.
• Essential Skills in communication, numeracy and computing.
• A Personal Training Plan is completed, which details the progression route for achieving the agreed qualifications.
Entry Requirements
Skills For Life / Skills For Work
A person eligible to enter either this route or the Skills For Work route, will be as follows;
• One who has attained the minimum school leaving age
• One who is under 18 years of age and is unemployed
• One who has a disability, is under 22 years of age
Programme-Led Apprenticeship
To enter the Programme-Led Apprenticeship Scheme, the trainee must meet the following requirements;
• Minimum of 4 GCSEs grade D-G including Maths and English at grade F;
• Have the potential to successfully complete the requirements of the appropriate Level 2;
• Have achieved any necessary entry academic qualifications (e.g. GCSE or equivalent recognised qualification) determined by the relevant sector / and approved by the Department; and
• Pass any entry tests specified by the relevant sector / and approved by the Department.
• Meet any health requirements (e.g. colour vision) specific to the occupation of their choice;
• Be unemployed
Note: All trainees participating on the above apprenticeship routes, will be unemployed and will therefore qualify for a ‘Non-Means Tested Educational Maintenance Allowance’ (EMA), which is currently £40 per week. They would also qualify for payment of travel, childcare and / or lodging allowance where applicable.
Programme-Led Apprenticeships and Apprenticeship NI working together
The Programme-Led Apprenticeship provision will run parallel to the ‘employer-led’ Apprenticeship NI programme. If at any time the Programme-Led apprentice becomes employed, they can transfer onto the Apprenticeship NI Scheme. Similarly, if an Apprenticeship NI apprentice is made redundant they can transfer onto the Programme-Led Apprenticeship and continue with their training.
How these schemes work together is detailed in the Apprenticeship Route Map.
Apprenticeship Route Map
Apprenticeships Northern Ireland Program Led Apprenticeships
Apprenticeship Flow Chart
Start here. Answer the questions and follow the route to determine which apprenticeship is right for you.
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