Apprenticeships at South Kent College

SKC offers Apprenticeships at 2 levels:

• Apprenticeships (equivalent to 5 good GCSE passes)
  Includes NVQ Level 2, Key Skills and normally a technical certificate.
• Advanced Apprenticeships (equivalent to A-Level passes)
  Includes NVQ Level 3, Key Skills and normally a technical certificate.

There's no set time to complete an Apprenticeship; it will depend on the sector you choose, your abilities and the employer's requirements. SKC Apprenticeships typically take around two years to complete at each level so it's important that you're committed enough to see it through.

Apprenticeships can: Increase your chances of getting a good rate of pay; give you an edge in the job market; increase your chances of getting promoted and provide you with personal satisfaction.

During the Apprenticeship you will…

• Earn a living whilst getting on the career ladder
• Learn new skills and gain practical work experience
• Get a recognised qualification through a mixture of on and off-the-job training
• Gain valuable transferable skills that will help you to succeed in your chosen career
• Enter full-time employment after the Apprenticeship with work experience under your belt

All apprentices receive at least the minimum wage for apprentices in England. Apprentices aged 16-18 do not pay tuition fees. For apprentices aged 19+ fees may apply but there is an expectation that your employer will pay this contribution.

Like all employees, you will be given paid holiday as well as bank holidays. Your individual entitlement will be detailed in your contract of employment; 20 days is the average holiday entitlement for a full-time employee. You will be entitled to the same benefits and will have the same rights as other employees in the company.

To get a sought after Apprenticeship place, you'll have to show you are committed, motivated and aware of your responsibilities to both yourself and the company who would employ you. You need to be happy to work both as part of a team and individually, and be able to use your own initiative.

You also need to:

• Be in employment or have secured a work placement
• Ideally have a good level of GCSEs, particularly in English and maths although entry requirements for some Apprenticeships may be flexible. Apprenticeships aren't just based on academic achievement, your practical skills and interest in the area of work you've chosen also count.
• Be prepared to give around two years of training and further study, depending on the Apprenticeship you decide to do.

Throughout the Apprenticeship you will be supported by an SKC Training Co-ordinator who will ensure your training fits your personal requirements and offers the skills needed for the job.

The Training Co-ordinator will visit you and your employer regularly to discuss and review your progress and help with any queries you may have in relation to the training. Your progress will be recorded in your Individual Learning Plan which contains information about the qualifications you will achieve during the Apprenticeship. You can also contact your Training Co-ordinator by telephone or email.

In the workplace you will be supported by a mentor who you will be able to learn from and who will answer your questions. They may also assess your competency in the workplace.