Need Advice?

Call: 0808 00 13-2-19

Text: 077664 13-2-19

Chat/Email:
www.connexions-direct.com

Available to 16-25 year olds. They are made up of on-the-job training with learning at a training provider or college. There are two types:

Apprenticeships

Apprentices often work for an organisation. Because they're employed, they also earn a wage for the job (this can be between £60-£80 a week to start with).

Apprenticeships usually last between 12 and 24 months and apprentices work towards an NVQ Level 2, Key Skills, and in lots of cases, a technical certificate.

Apprenticeships can lead to higher-level qualifications, including an Advanced Apprenticeship.

Advanced Apprenticeships

Advanced Apprentices are nearly always employed. Pay for employed apprentices can be between £60-£80 a week to start with, and can be more.

They usually last for at least two years and apprentices work towards an NVQ Level 3, Key Skills and a technical certificate.

They can lead to higher qualifications, such as a Foundation Degree.

More information on Apprenticeships

e2e is available to 16 to 18 year-olds. It is designed to help you move on to an Apprenticeship, a further education course or employment.

The programmes are tailor-made to meet your needs. They can include lots of activities including independent living skills, confidence building, vocational training, team building, literacy and numeracy, outward bound type activities and many more.

Young people on the e2e programme can claim Education Maintenance Allowance. You will also get any travel expenses paid and if special equipment or clothing is needed you will receive help with this too. £100.00 worth of bonuses can also be gained.

If you have a child/children, you will receive a childcare allowance so that you can have them taken care of while you attend the programme

There are no minimum entry qualifications

Because each programme is tailor made, the time it takes to complete will vary for each young person

Pre e2e courses

Pre e2e courses are available to help young people onto an e2e course, an apprenticeship, a further education course or get a job.

They are tailor-made and help young people get the skills and confidence they need to move on

People doing pre e2e courses get an allowance of up to £30 per week and paid travel expenses

Qualifications in things like basic skills, key skills and first aid can be taken on the programmes

There are various ways you can find out about opportunities in your area.

Visit the Apprenticeship website at www.apprenticeship.gov.uk

Ask you Personal Adviser or visit a Connexions centre

Look on the Area Prospectuses page or the Education and Training Opportunities Directory (copies should be kept in school/college Connexions Resource Centres and all Connexions Centres)

Both of these will give you info on work-based learning programmes in the Black Country

Contact the Black Country Training Group on 08000 321 222 www.bctg.org.uk

Applications

Your Personal Adviser may call the training provider to find out how you should apply. The training provider might want to speak to you on the phone, but this would just be to say hello and find out a few things about you.

Some training providers might make an appointment to meet you at this stage, or might ask for an application form to be sent in. Your Personal Adviser will have a copy.

If you find out about a work-based learning programme yourself, you will probably have to contact the training provider for more details on how to apply. If you need any help with this, speak to a Personal Adviser.

Assessment

Most training providers use interviews and assessment tests

Don't be put off, they aren't there to catch you out; they are simply a way of finding if you are suited to the programme you're applying for.

If you have any concerns about the assessment procedure, talk to a Personal Adviser. They can give you an idea of what to expect and answer any questions you might have.