Parent's Guide

Apprenticeships - opportunities for life Parent’s Guide Be part of your child’s success Welcome to Aimhigher Greater Manchester

Dear Parent or Carer,

We know that parents, carers and families have a big influence when it comes to supporting their young people to get the best opportunities out of life. The Apprenticeship route to higher education and career progression is a fantastic opportunity, that with your support and help, will open doors and increase life chances considerably for your child.

We have put together this information booklet to help you to support your child to get the very best from their Apprenticeship, expand career opportunities and increase their earning potential.

Aimhigher Greater Manchester works with over 22 Apprenticeship Providers across Greater Manchester to add value to their Apprenticeship delivery. We support activities that inform, motivate and build confidence for Apprentices to achieve their Apprenticeship framework, progress to the next level of learning and open up career opportunities.

With your help and support we can ensure that your child gets the very best from their Apprenticeship and is in a position to make an informed choice about what they want to do after they successfully complete the Apprenticeship Framework.

If you want to find out more about Aimhigher, get in touch with the Apprenticeship Provider who delivers your child’s training or send me an email message at [email protected] I would really like to hear what you think.

Best wishes

Vic Leyden WBL Progression Manager Aimhigher Greater Manchester

2 Welcome to Aimhigher Greater Manchester What is an Apprenticeship?

As employees, Apprentices earn a wage and work alongside Dear Parent or Carer, experienced staff to gain job-specific skills. Off the job, usually on a day-release basis, Apprentices receive training to work towards We know that parents, carers and families have a big influence when it nationally recognised qualifications. Anyone living in England, over 16 comes to supporting their young people to get the best opportunities and not in full-time education can apply. out of life. The Apprenticeship route to higher education and career progression is a fantastic opportunity, that with your support and help, Apprenticeships can take between one and four years to complete will open doors and increase life chances considerably for your child. depending on the level of the Apprenticeship, the Apprentice’s ability and the industry sector. There is a minimum salary for Apprentices set by We have put together this information booklet to help you to support the Government; however, many apprentices earn significantly more. your child to get the very best from their Apprenticeship, expand career Key benefits: opportunities and increase their earning potential. earn a salary get paid holidays Aimhigher Greater Manchester works with over 22 Apprenticeship receive training Providers across Greater Manchester to add value to their gain qualifications Apprenticeship delivery. We support activities that inform, motivate learn job-specific skills and build confidence for Apprentices to achieve their Apprenticeship develop a career. framework, progress to the next level of learning and open up career opportunities. Apprenticeships – What is involved? What can parents do to help?

With your help and support we can ensure that your child gets the very Most Apprenticeship Frameworks Apprenticeships are not just best from their Apprenticeship and is in a position to make an informed include: about being able to do the job. choice about what they want to do after they successfully complete A National Vocational They include learning that the Apprenticeship Framework. Qualification (NVQ) or an underpins the skills that your child NVQ Diploma at Level 2 or has to demonstrate. If you want to find out more about Aimhigher, get in touch with the 3 Apprenticeship Provider who delivers your child’s training or send me an It is important that your child can email message at [email protected] I would really like to hear A Technical Certificate complete this home learning in a what you think. that teaches your child quiet comfortable place with no what they need to know distractions. You can help with Best wishes this. Key Skills or Functional Skills for example, Application All parts of the Apprenticeship of Number or must be completed successfully Vic Leyden Communication for your child to complete the WBL Progression Manager Apprenticeship. Keep an eye on Aimhigher Greater Manchester Employment Rights and where they are up to. Responsibilities (ERR) 3 National Apprenticeship Service

Sue Price, Regional Director of the National Apprenticeship Service says, “an Apprenticeship can offer your son or daughter the chance to earn while they learn, develop job specific skills that will increase their employability and offer great prospects for future career progression.

Apprenticeships are available across a wide range of industry sectors, including business, education, construction, engineering, media and information technology, so the opportunity to develop existing jobs into an Apprenticeship has never been easier with over 190 to choose from.”

To find out more about Apprenticeships and to search and apply for Apprenticeship vacancies go to www.apprenticeships.org.uk or contact your nearest Connexions office.

Apprenticeships – What is involved? What can parents do to help? Apprentices will produce a Ask to have a look at the Portfolio Portfolio of Evidence which shows of Evidence. This will show your their assessor what they are able child, from an early stage, that to do and records achievements you are interested and as they progress through their appreciate the work that goes Apprenticeship. into completing an Apprenticeship.

Portfolios contain feedback and actions from the assessor. Discuss these reviews with your child and make sure things are kept up to date.

The Training Provider will always appreciate your support of the Apprentice. Arrange a meeting to discuss progress and how you can further support your child to achieve the full framework.

4 National Apprenticeship Service The Value of an Apprenticeship

Sue Price, Regional Director of the National Apprenticeship Service says, Did you know that by achieving an Advanced Apprenticeship your “an Apprenticeship can offer your son or daughter the chance to earn child will have the equivalent of 2 to 3 A Levels. The diagram on the while they learn, develop job specific skills that will increase their next page clearly shows equivalent qualifications at each stage of employability and offer great prospects for future career progression. development.

Apprenticeships are available across a wide range of industry sectors, Apprenticeships are a great way of gaining qualifications as well as including business, education, construction, engineering, media and practical experience. Employers are always looking for people with information technology, so the opportunity to develop existing jobs into qualifications and experience so Apprentices have an amazing an Apprenticeship has never been easier with over 190 to choose amount to offer. from.” This booklet contains many examples of Apprentices who have used To find out more about Apprenticeships and to search and apply for their Apprenticeship to progress on to the next level of learning. Apprenticeship vacancies go to www.apprenticeships.org.uk or contact your nearest Connexions office. Where is your child on their career path? Use the diagram overleaf to see where they are now and to look at what next steps they could take after they have completed their Young Apprenticeship, Apprenticeship Apprenticeships – What is involved? What can parents do to help? or Advanced Apprenticeship. Apprentices will produce a Ask to have a look at the Portfolio Portfolio of Evidence which shows of Evidence. This will show your their assessor what they are able child, from an early stage, that to do and records achievements you are interested and as they progress through their appreciate the work that goes Apprenticeship. into completing an Apprenticeship.

Portfolios contain feedback and actions from the assessor. Discuss these reviews with your child and make sure things are kept up to date.

The Training Provider will always appreciate your support of the Apprentice. Arrange a meeting to discuss progress and how you can further support your child to achieve the full framework.

5 BA or BSc Degree (3 or Undergraduate Lifelong 4 year full time, longer Degree Learning if taken part time

FdSc/FdA Higher Apprenticeship HND/HNC Foundation Degree

Advanced BTEC National A Level AS + A2 Advanced Apprenticeship Certi cate/AVCE Level Diploma Level 3

Higher GCSEs Grade BTEC First Apprenticeship Diploma A* - C

Young BTEC GCSEs Grade Foundation Apprenticeship Foundation A-G Diploma NVQ Level 1/2

6 What parents say BA or BSc Degree (3 or Undergraduate Lifelong 4 year full time, longer Degree Learning if taken part time Engineering Apprentice

Mary’s Mum – my daughter’s route to study

My daughter Mary decided that she wanted to have a practical career in Mechanical Engineering. She left school with 10 good GCSEs and attended Alliance FdSc/FdA Higher Apprenticeship HND/HNC Learning where she is currently taking NVQs in this Foundation Degree subject.

Having secured an Apprenticeship with a firm APPH, who produce landing gear for aircraft, she continued to study on a day release basis at the same time as working full time.

Advanced BTEC National A Level AS + A2 Advanced Whilst studying, Mary has been keen to acquire as much Apprenticeship Certi cate/AVCE Level Diploma experience as possible including attending a Fork Lift Truck Level 3 course. She was then encouraged by an Aimhigher Champion to attend the “Step in to Higher Education” course at Alliance Learning which she attended for 8 weeks in the evening after work.

Mary received an Aimhigher award at the University of Salford in June this year. She has almost completed the Mechanical Higher GCSEs Grade Engineering Apprenticeship. Hopefully she will be employed in BTEC First Apprenticeship Diploma A* - C the industry but would like the opportunity to study in Higher Education at a further date.

Mary’s Dad and I are very proud of her attitude to both studying and work, especially often being the only female in her environment. She has grown in confidence and has been cheerfully enthusiastic, enjoying many of the challenges she has faced since she left school. Young BTEC GCSEs Grade Foundation Apprenticeship Foundation A-G Diploma Lisa Croft NVQ Level 1/2

7 Hairdressing Apprentice

My daughter Rachel Plumbing Apprentice My daughter is Rachel Jane Moore and she left school (Derby High, Bury) with low grades in Maths and English. She had been Julian’s Mum – My son’s route to Higher Education working at a salon as a Saturday girl and was fortunate to secure a full time job at the same My son Julian left school aged 16 with 10 good GCSEs . He Salon. decided not to go to college but to do an Apprenticeship in gas installations and plumbing, which he successfully completed. She enrolled on a Level 2 Apprenticeship in Hair at Training for Today. She qualified and Soon after completing his Advanced Apprenticeship he realised progressed onto an Advanced Apprenticeship that academic qualifications would lead to success in a wider in Hair at L3, with Level 2 key skills in range of fields. However he was unsure whether further study Communication and Application of number. would suit him.

After moving to a different salon, she realised that there were Julian was encouraged by an Aimhigher co-ordinator to try the more opportunities within Hairdressing for her and she wanted to Aimhigher “Step in to HE” programme. He went every week become a tutor in Hairdressing. She was advised to start her A1 after work for 8 weeks and enjoyed it. It increased his confidence Assessor award and make her dream a reality. and motivated him to look at further Higher Education.

Once completed, she then enrolled onto the Professional Julian is now doing a part-time Foundation Degree in Diploma in Education at Bolton University. She has just Management as well as working full time. Occasionally he completed her first year of a two year course to qualify as a needs a bit of encouragement from his mum. The benefits that Tutor. In the meantime she applied for Assessor vacancies and the part time route give far outweigh the hard work it takes to was successful in securing a job as Tutor/ Assessor at Michael complete his studies. When Julian completes the Foundation John Training in Manchester. She is now tutoring 14-16 Degree he will be a graduate of the University of Bolton, have Apprentices and Post 16 year old WBL Apprentices. better career prospects with more opportunities available to him As a parent who didn't have the opportunities that young and will have no student debt. people have available today, I am very proud of all the hard work Rachel has put in towards getting to HE, and the hard work Sue Jankun being put in whilst at HE.

I myself at an older age have just started to re-educate myself, never too late, but it would have been a lot easier to have done it at a younger age and the job opportunities I have missed will not be missed by Rachel and her HE qualification.

Jane Davenport

8 Hairdressing Apprentice

Jane Davenport

9 Key Messages

Achieve the best of both worlds – qualifications and a great job

Employers need Apprentices can earn Apprentices with practical more over a lifetime skills and a higher level of with a higher level qualification qualification

Part time Higher Education courses enable apprentices to open up a lifetime of opportunities

10 Key Messages Step-In to HE Module

Not sure about higher education (HE)? Then encourage your child to try the Step-In to HE module. This short 21 hour University of Bolton module enables Apprentices to try HE before committing to a longer course. It gives 10 credits towards a degree. Achieve the best of both worlds – qualifications and The seven 3 hour sessions will build confidence in their ability to go on to a great job HE and help explore the many opportunities that are available for Advanced Apprentices.

A high percentage of Advanced Apprentices who have completed the Step-In module have gone on to start part time HE courses and Employers need Apprentices can earn progress in their careers as a direct result. Apprentices with practical more over a lifetime skills and a higher level of with a higher level There are 5 delivery centres and they run courses throughout the year qualification qualification at;

Bury College, Woodbury Centre, Market Street, Bury, BL19 0BG Tel; 0161 280 8280 Part time Higher Education courses enable apprentices to Oldham College, Rochdale Road, Oldham, OL9 6AA open up a lifetime of Tel; 0800 269 480 opportunities Skills Solutions, 17-19 Whitworth Sreet, Manchester, M1 5WG Tel; 0161 233 2600

Wigan and Leigh College, Pagefield Campus, Walkden Avenue, Wigan, WN1 2JH Tel; 01942 761111

Stockport College, Town Centre Campus, Wellington Road, Stockport, SK1 3UG Tel;0845 230 3102

Also you can click on the Step-In module link at www.uni4me.com for more information and to register your interest.

11 What Apprentices say

Hairdressing Amy Clifford’s journey began at Stockport College where she achieved Apprenticeships and Advanced Apprenticeships in both Hairdressing and Accounts.

After her Advanced Apprenticeship in Hairdressing she completed the Aimhigher Step-In to HE module. She learnt skills that she feels have helped her in the Certificate in Education course that she has now completed.

Amy has now set up her own salon and has taken on her first Apprentice, Lauren.

When asked what advice she would give someone coming to the end of their Advanced Apprenticeship and thinking of going on to higher education, Amy said ‘If I can do it anyone can do it, it’s easy... just do it!’

12 What Apprentices say Miroslav

After leaving school at 16, Miroslav went on to take a Business Administration Apprenticeship with his first employer and then completed a Team Leading Apprenticeship when he moved to Education Hairdressing Business Solutions. Now aged 26, he is in the Amy Clifford’s journey began at Stockport College third year of his Foundation Degree in Management. The Aimhigher where she achieved Apprenticeships and Step-In to HE Module helped to prepare Miroslav for his HE studies, Advanced Apprenticeships in both Hairdressing and giving him an insight into the styles of learning to expect and Accounts. practical experience of completing research and written work.

After her Advanced Apprenticeship in Hairdressing Miroslav now works with young people who often want to leave she completed the Aimhigher Step-In to HE module. school as soon as possible, he is keen to tell them about how they She learnt skills that she feels have helped her in the can earn and learn at the same time. “There are so many options”, Certificate in Education course that she has now he says, “and you don’t have to be a full time student to continue completed. your education”.

Amy has now set up her own salon and has taken on her first Apprentice, Lauren. Sarah

When asked what advice she would give someone Sarah left school at 16 years old and started a job as a nursery coming to the end of their Advanced assistant in a nursery called ‘Tiddleywinks’ in Blackley. She started her Apprenticeship and thinking of going on to higher Apprenticeship in Early Years Child Care and Education. After education, Amy said ‘If I can do it anyone can do completing this she then went on to complete her Advanced it, it’s easy... just do it!’ Apprenticeship.

Sarah realised the value of gaining new skills and knowlege and so started her Foundation Degree in Early Years and Childhood Studies which she is due to complete next year. She has been able to use her new knowledge in a variety of ways at work, for example, developing activities such as storytelling and including parents in the ‘stay and play’ sessions. This activity resulted in Sarah winning an award at work.

13 How parents can help

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14 How parents can help Apprenticeships – What is involved? What can parents do to help?

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Higher Education costs... less than you think

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All part-time undergraduate students, regardless of -

s P t a n r e age, can apply for part-time student finance. For each year of the course, they can apply for a Fee Grant and a Course Grant. The course must last at least one year, and not take more than twice as long to complete as the equivalent full-time course. For more info; www.direct.gov.uk/studentfinance or phone customer helpline 0845 300 5090 14 15 Part time opportunities

There are an increasing number of HE courses that are run part time at Further Education (FE) colleges and Universities in Greater Manchester. There is no centralised admissions process (like UCAS) for part-time applicants, they must apply to each individual institution that they are considering.

Use the questions below when you contact the college or university, to find out which course is the most suitable.

How relevant is the course to my career plan? How will it help me in my current job and with future job plans?

What is the course content?

How is the course delivered/assessed?

What coursework/assessments need to be completed for the course? Can you give me an example?

Are there any mandatory/optional parts of the course?

How often and when is attendance required?

How long is the course?

How many hours a week will I need to study outside the set timetable?

What is the cost of the course? Is it paid in instalments or all up front?

What financial support is available?

What sort of course materials will I need?

As a student here what other support is available, eg study skills, disability or learning difficulty support, careers advice?

How can I apply?

When do I have to apply by? 16 Part time opportunities Search for the following institution’s websites to find out more details about the courses that they offer. There are an increasing number of HE courses that are run part time at Further Education (FE) colleges and Universities in Greater Manchester. Accrington and Rossendale College There is no centralised admissions process (like UCAS) for part-time applicants, they must apply to each individual institution that they are Bolton College considering. University of Bolton Use the questions below when you contact the college or university, to find out which course is the most suitable. Bury College

How relevant is the course to my career plan? How will it help me in my Hopwood Hall College current job and with future job plans? Manchester Metropolitan University What is the course content? The Manchester College How is the course delivered/assessed? The University of Manchester What coursework/assessments need to be completed for the course? Can you give me an example? Oldham College

Are there any mandatory/optional parts of the course? University Campus Oldham

How often and when is attendance required? Open University

How long is the course? Salford City College

How many hours a week will I need to study outside the set timetable? University of Salford

What is the cost of the course? Is it paid in instalments or all up front? Skills Solutions

What financial support is available? Stockport College

What sort of course materials will I need? Tameside College

As a student here what other support is available, eg study skills, Trafford College disability or learning difficulty support, careers advice? Wigan and Leigh College How can I apply? YMCA Training Salford When do I have to apply by? 17 What employers say

Mike Stevens Group and UK HR Director for Odeon Cinemas Group

‘Our policy is to encourage personal self development - it’s good for the HR team and company to have fully qualified and competent staff in HR practice.’

William Brown Management Trainer at Wigan and Leigh College

‘The transfer of learning into the business is important and as an employer I can see the value of it. Our employees who are studying attend their courses on a part time basis for one day a month, an afternoon and an evening, making it manageable for both them and their department.’

Jane Blackburn Head of People Development for New Charter Housing

‘We encourage all our people to continuously improve and develop their knowledge and skills. Our Apprentices very often progress onto further education in a range of different roles and have the full support of the group. New Charter benefits from this by having a highly skilled and motivated workforce which delivers the best services to our customers.’

18 What employers say APPRENTICESHIPS...

Mike Stevens Group and UK HR Director for Odeon Cinemas Group

‘Our policy is to encourage personal self development - it’s good for the HR team and company to have fully qualified and competent staff in HR practice.’

William Brown Management Trainer at Wigan and Leigh College

Jane Blackburn Head of People Development for New Charter Housing

Carole Harvey Work-Based Learning Project Leader

Aimhigher Greater Manchester The Open University in the North West 351 Altrincham Road Sharston Manchester M22 4UN

Telephone: 0161 955 6957 Email: [email protected]

You can find contact details of training providers on: www.uni4me.com and click on