Budget 2015-Youth allowance -Universal Credit & Apprenticeships

Apprenticeships-parents guide

Below are extracts of the Apprenticeships guide for parents. Apprenticeships were mentioned in the Budget this month so I felt adding the information to the Blog made sense
Introduction
As a parent you want your child to get
the best possible start in their career.
There are many options available to
young people after they leave school,
and in this guide we outline information
and benefits about Apprenticeships as a
key route into a successful career.
What is an
Apprenticeship
An Apprenticeship is a real job with
training which would allow your
daughter or son to earn while they learn,
whilst gaining a nationally recognised
qualification. Apprenticeships take
between one and five years to complete
and cover 1500 job roles in a wide
range of industries, from engineering
to accountancy, public relations to
veterinary nursing.

Entry requirements
Apprenticeships are available to anyone
over the age of 16, living in England.
There are different entry requirements
depending on the sector and job.

Apprenticeship levels
There are three levels of Apprenticeship
your son or daughter could apply for
depending on their current skills and
qualifications:
– Intermediate Apprenticeship (level 2);
– Advanced Apprenticeship (level 3);
– Higher Apprenticeship (level 4 or
above).
The core components for Intermediate
and Advanced Apprenticeships are:
– A nationally recognised vocational
qualification;
– Functional skills (e.g. literacy,
numeracy and ICT);
– A technical certificate such as a BTEC
or City & Guilds (relevant to the
specific Apprenticeship);
– Other professional qualifications
or requirements as specified by the
particular job.
The core components for Higher
Apprenticeships are as above but exclude
the functional skills element.

If you want more information-
Parents guide

Neet or not NEET?

Waking up your child on their first day is always a challenge. However if they have had a break from Education and Training and have lost their way then there is a new challenge for the parent.
How will the first day go?
Will the Taxi arrive?
Waking your child up on his first day may attract resistance. Will there be an outright refusal or an acceptance?
I was fortunate. Yes there was a delay but not pushing the situation seemed to work. The initial response was key ..There was life.
Allowing for time and regular calm announcements seem to work. Agreed, it doesn't always work.
It may be a challenge subject to the relationship you have with your child. Are they angry with you for sending them. Fed up not doing anything or want to get back to their mates.
I would argue that if friends are all doing something its easier. If they are not then the temptation to not even get started is a big one
I have to admit to cheering to myself...Why?
Because 15 mins before we were sat downstairs waiting.  Relief, relief that there had been no anger , no shouting and little in the way of a major bust up.

So throughout our working day we wonder how it has gone. I watched from my  car  as the taxi pulled up..it waited a few seconds and tooted and then I saw the departure.

A child going to a new provider means a new phase. The rules are different to conventional school.
As I stated in an earlier post. There is a need for earlier assessments
It's not just the adults assessing the child. But, it's the child assessing the new team.

When they return you may be fortunate and they come and share. They may not. Either way its all in their own time. Every Youth is different

NEEt to training

With 3 days to go a child can face it challenging the idea of returning to Education or training.
In Lincolnshire Taxis are provided to get the child to the Training provider.These Taxis are shared with other childen. The funding of the Education of a teenager and the complexity of funding.
The child may make many decisions based on who is at the establishment rather than the Quality of the training or type of training. there is a drop our rateof the youngsters as in the past the children had a less than effective engagement. Recent changes include a ban on smoking which is to make it more relateable to the work place.
Many of these youngsters may know each other at these establishments. This may come as something of a shock to parents but the world is small.
The structure by nature of the establishment is different due the situation that the teenager is coming from. Exclusion. In many cases the child will have been excluded from school or will have had some form of challenge with the school environment. The school has limitations in the way they can deal with such issues and as I found out intervention is not always an option within some policies.

Initial Questions

My child's discussion with the Deputy Head of the provider didnt provide an insight. An understanding of options wasn't there.
I reflected on the career's advice I had had at his age..Mine was in the 1980's

The options then were different to the intial questioning that my child had


Are you interested in Engineering?
Answer-Dont know

Are you interested in computers?
Answer suppose

Reality from a NEET teenager is that they are not likely to be sure of their capabilities or abilities. Why would they.The lack of experience through lack of attending school has left them missing out. The uphill climb of engagement, motivation and direction starts next week

Apprenticeships another view

A recent BBC article stated

"The majority of apprenticeships are being used to train older people, and those who are already employed at their company, instead of taking on young people out of work."

In a statement on Sunday, Labour MP Liam Byrne said the government needed to do more to boost the apprenticeship "brand".

"The Tory-led coalition's five years allowed the devaluing of the once proud apprenticeship brand.

"They focused on re-badging in-work training for older workers as apprenticeships rather than helping create proper apprenticeship places for young people.

"Apprenticeships should be a qualification of at least level three and last two years," he said.

I read this and wondered if this was the reason why Young NEET youngsters were struggling to find new opportunities

Youth Unemployed who are not in Employment Education or Training need Appretniceships 

The traditional view of the Apprentice was a the 18-25 year old. Possibly a builder, plumber or Joiner. However now the world of the Apprentice has changed. 

This has led to the challenge for the Younger Job seeker in obtaining the training opportunities that they may have been offered in the past.

Add this to the issues connected with Welfare Support including Universal Credit and Housing Benefit that is expected to change in this term of Government there is a challenge for the future.

NEET advice and funding

"Further council funding cuts will put thousands of youngsters' "promising futures" at risk, say town hall bosses.

A Local Government Association survey of councils in England, says 90% have cut services for teenagers not in education, employment and training.

Local authorities have seen funding cuts of 40% since 2010, and their responsibility for careers advice and further education has been removed.

The government said the teenage Neet rate was now 64,000 lower than in 2010.

And it highlighted that it is investing £7bn "to fund a place for every 16- to 18-year-old in England who wants one".

Since 2012, local councils in England have no longer had control over careers advice, which has switched to schools.

Local authority-run Connexions services were one of the first areas to be cut under the previous coalition government.

Councils have also lost control of post-16 education and schemes to tackle young people's disengagement.

But the LGA points out that local authorities still have a duty to encourage 16- to 18-year-olds to remain in education, employment or training and ensure there are enough opportunities available locally.

It says local councils are best-placed to oversee support for 14- to 21-year-old Neets because they know what is needed on the ground.

And it warns the advances that it has made could be lost with further cuts ahead.

David Simmonds, chairman of the LGA's Children and Young People Board, said: "The message from local government is clear.

"Cuts without reform risk undoing all of our collective good work, putting thousands of promising futures at risk.

"Councils are uniquely well placed to help young people access the opportunities created by the local employers increasingly frustrated by remote national institutions.

"It is important that we have the powers, levers and funding to fulfil our legal duties to young people.

"The new government has a real opportunity to build on recent successes and meet its ambition of full employment by enabling local partnerships of councils, schools, colleges, jobcentres and employers to locally coordinate a single youth offer.

"It will ensure every young person is either in work or learning."

A survey of 87 local authorities for the LGA also suggests the vast majority (97%) believe services for young people will be put at risk unless councils regain powers over them and general council cuts are avoided.

The Department for Education said: "Thanks to our essential reforms, there are 64,000 fewer 16- to 18-year-olds Neets than there were in 2010.

"We have ended the historic and unfair funding difference between schools and colleges from the 16-19 funding formula, and are maintaining funding rates for 2015-16 so they can plan their future offers for students.

"We are also reforming academic qualifications and vocational education to ensure young people get the knowledge and skills that they need to move into a job, apprenticeship or to continue their education."

The rate of 16- to 18-year-olds who are Neet has tended to fluctuated between 8% and 10% over the past decade, but has been following a downward trend since 2008."
BBC article

The Challenge

The challenge to cut support for this age group is extremely concerning. 

Reality is that there is a huge need within this sector to engage. The Jobcentre plus under DWP has failed for years to engage with effect and trying to work on a National basis is very unlikely to be that effective.

DWP will be tasked to stop the Housing Benefit along with the council's soon as stated by the Conservative Party's manifesto.

If you have been excluded from school or college or the plan's set out for your future don't work out well you are going to struggle. NEET have been a political issue for some years and unlike the older age groups they are less likely to have work experience or the skill base for modern business.

Mentoring, advice,Guidance and support is essential. Cutting spending in this area and yet ring fencing overseas aid doesn't sit well with many

Apprenticeships

 Have a son or daughter that is considering becoming an Apprentice?
What are Apprenticeships? They are work-based training programmes designed around the needs of employers and their employee’s, which lead to national recognised qualifications.
You can use Apprenticeships to train both new and existing employees.

 Funding is available to train apprentices. 

Apprenticeships are designed by the Sector Skills Councils, while the National Apprenticeship Service helps to fund the training. Business representatives from the relevant industry sector work with the Sector Skills Councils to develop the course content. Because they genuinely understand your business, the training will be relevant for your industry.
Over 100,000 employers in over 160,000 workplaces offer frameworks across a wide range of industry sectors.
Depending on the sector and job role an Apprenticeship can take anything between one and four years to complete. It is a package of on-the-job training and qualifications.
 Facts in numbers
Over 80% of those employers who employ apprentices agree they make their workplace more productive. 81% of consumers favour using a company which takes on apprentices. The National Minimum Wage for apprentices is £2.73 per hour Many employers prefer to pay more however, and research shows that the average salary is approx £170 per week. From the 1st of October 2014

21 and over	18 to 20	Under 18	Apprentice*
£6.50	£5.13	£3.79	£2.73

Employers who take on a 16-18 year old apprentice only pay their salary.
The Government will fund their training.
There are more than 200 different types of Apprenticeships available offering over 1,200 job roles. 92% of employers who employ apprentices believe that Apprenticeships lead to a more motivated and satisfied workforce. 83% of employers who employ apprentices rely on their Apprenticeships programme to provide the skilled workers that they need for the future. One in five employers are hiring more apprentices to help them through the tough economic climate.
Levels
There are three levels of Apprenticeship available: 1 - Intermediate Level Apprenticeships Apprentices work towards work-based learning qualifications such as a Level 2 Competence Qualification, Functional Skills and, in most cases, a relevant knowledge-based qualification. 2 - Advanced Level Apprenticeships Apprentices work towards work-based learning such as a Level 3 Competence Qualification, Functional Skills and, in most cases, a relevant knowledge-based qualification. 3 - Higher Apprenticeships Apprentices work towards work-based learning qualifications such as a Level 4 Competence Qualification, Functional Skills and, in some cases, a  knowledge-based qualification such as a Foundation Degree. Find out more about the current range of Higher Apprenticeships available, developing new frameworks and the Higher Apprenticeship Investment Fund.
Types of Apprenticeships
Apprenticeships are available in a wide range of industry sectors with employers from large national companies such as Sainsbury’s, BMW and Orange to smaller local companies. There are more than 200 different types of Apprenticeships available offering over 1,200 job roles within a variety of industry sectors ranging from accountancy and engineering to veterinary nursing and floristry. If you wish to view the technical aspects of each framework, including the different elements involved as well as any employment rights and responsibilities, view the Apprenticeship frameworks library.

Training and Employment
As Apprenticeships are work-based training programmes, most of the training is ‘on the job’ – at your premises. The rest can be provided by a local college or by a specialist learning provider, or you could deliver everything yourself. As the employer you must give your apprentices an induction into their role and provide on-the-job training. You are also responsible for paying your apprentices’ wages. Employment must be for at least 30 hours per week, except in the minority of circumstances where the learner cannot complete the full 30 hours. In these cases employment must be for more than 16 hours per week. A learning provider will provide an employer representative who will be able to support and guide you. They will work with you to: Help you decide which Apprenticeship is right for you; Explain the way that Apprenticeships might work for you and if funding is available; Agree a training plan with your apprentice; Recruit an apprentice or support your existing staff into Apprenticeships; Manage the training and evaluation; and Ensure that national quality standards are met and deliver integrated, coherent training. If you wish to find a learning provider yourself we have many tried and tested Search for a learning provider in your area
Funding Apprenticeship funding is available from the National Apprenticeship Service. The size of the contribution varies depending on your sector and the age of the candidate. If the apprentice is aged 16–18 years old, you will receive 100 per cent of the cost of the training; if they are 19-24 years old, you will receive up to 50 per cent; if they are 25 years old or over you may only get a contribution depending on the sector and area in which you operate. This is paid directly to the organisation that provides and supports the Apprenticeship; in most cases this will be a learning provider. Large employers with a direct contract with the National Apprenticeship Service may receive the funding themselves.
National Minimum Wage .
The apprentice minimum wage is currently £2.68 per hour and applies to time working, plus time spent training that is part of the Apprenticeship. Employers are free to pay above the new wage and many do so, but employers must ensure that they are paying their apprentices at least the minimum wage. If an apprentice is on a higher wage, the employer must continue to pay that for the remainder of the training or until the apprentice becomes eligible for the full national minimum wage. Employer Incentive (AGE 16 to 24)
The AGE 16 to 24 year olds is aimed at helping eligible employers to offer young people employment through the Apprenticeship programme, by providing wage grants to assist employers in recruiting their first apprentice. The National Apprenticeship Service will provide up to 40,000 Apprenticeship grants to small medium sized employers recruiting 16 to 24 year olds with a value of £1,500 to encourage new employers to take on new apprentices.
To speak to a National Apprenticeship Service Small Business Team advisor please call 08000 150 600.

Parental challenge

Exclusion
Following exclusion from my school the challenge of discipline becomes more of an issue.
Homework is sent by the school for 5 days. Yet the former student who is expecting to become permanently excluded is less likely to undertake any homework set by the school.
Many parents just want to move the child's schools. Give them a fresh start but the reality is that is not the direction the system is set for.
The older the child the less likely the child will return to full time school, particularly if they are far behind for their age.
I found this challenging after filling in the mid term application
I found that the clear direction was not the direction discussed at meetings. Key Stage 4 students, Year 9 & 10 were directed to an alternative provider
Base line assessments and careers advice are offered.

Frustration

At present I do not know my son's capabilities. Is he more or less intelligent than I think. What are his basic skills levels like?

When a child hasn't put the time in at school and has walked out of school then it is fair to say the assessment is hard to undertake.

As time goes on we worry more and more about their future. Finding what will motivate them, inspire them. Change the attitude to want to learn and study.

Education & Training

Getting an NVQ or an Appreticeship is a sound grounding. The higher the level like NVQ 3 upwards the better.

An Apprenticeship may not be a degree, but it's a career move. If it's the right Apprenticeship in a growing industry it can provide a future.

NEET -Parliament -research

NEET: Young People Not in Education, Employment or Training

Not included in report

Published 21 May 2015 in Parliament research

943,000 people aged 16-24 were NEET in the first quarter of 2015, 13.0% of people in this age group. Schemes introduced by the previous Government with elements aimed at reducing the number of young people who are NEET included: raising the participation age, the Youth Contract and the Work Programme.943,000 people aged 16-24 were NEET in the first quarter of 2015, 13.0% of people in this age group.

Not all unemployed 16-24 year olds are NEET and not all people who are NEET are unemployed. 59% of unemployed 16-24 year olds are NEET, the remaining 41% are in education or training. 46% of people who are NEET are unemployed, the rest are economically inactive: not seeking work and/or not available to start work.

In England, the regions with the highest proportion of 16-24 year olds who are NEET are the North East, Yorkshire & Humber, and West Midlands.

The proportion of 15-19 year olds and 20-24 year olds who are NEET in the UK is above the OECD average.

Those eligible for free school meals, those who have been excluded or suspended from school, those with their own child and those who have a disability are more likely to be NEET.

Schemes introduced by the previous Government with elements aimed at reducing the number of young people who are NEET included: raising the participation age, the Youth 

Contract and the Work Programme.

These are some of the regional factors