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.

Careers Advice

When you make contact with the Careers service this is what you can expect.

A map of possibilities.

  Careers service map
 For the 13-16 age group
The Map has individual links for the catergories
Links that lead to more information on each category that you can follow and look at the options.
This may be a key web site at this time of the year for many.
Both parents and students can see whats available.

Is it time to chat to an advisor?

You can undertake an online chat here with the National Careers service
This isn't available with all gov.uk web sites

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

NEET jsa figures throughout the U.K

Pilot Programmes

Pilot programmes

Introduction

Yesterday I attended a KS4 student parent programme information meeting. I have to say that I was surprised that there was an element of listening to the parent.
The group was small consisting of just two parents. This probably enabled a real conversation.
The pilot included year 10 student NEETs.. We typically think of the NEET being in the 18-24 age group but often this isn't the case. It may well be that NEET has started from a younger age based on a number of factors.

Challenges

The Provider had identified issues that were clear to parents. Communication being a main one. often County Council communication is inadequate. So reality wise you need to attend as  parent NEET meetings to ensure that you do ask the questions that are on your mind as well as find out what is going on.

Based on what I have read on policy paperwork in relation to NEET policy the authorities under the Department of Education have identified that retention is a key issue along with engagement

Engagement with the NEET client or  candidate may well be a challenge.

The local providers discussed their proposals of Audits,Targeted intervention, Codes of conduct, GL Assessment, Taster sessions and more

English & Maths were seen as key areas. In many ways this had to be key as all employers require skills in this area. The intention being was to aspire to attain GCSE in these subjects. A Challenge

On my previous visit to one of the sites, the provider informed my son that smoking was a privilege? Under the new pilot NEET programme, there was a "No Smoking" policy on site
The providers are intending to set a code of conduct with the students. This would be set up on the induction. As many of those involved in such pilot's will have conduct as a reason why they were excluded I hope that guidance will be given in setting up this KS code of conduct.

Attendance

The provider has set up a target of 95% attendance as a target. In Lincolnshire the provider uses Taxis to transport these student trainees to the programmes. In some ways therefore it will be if the student actually gets into the Taxi that the test begins.

The Pilot programme is also seeking that they Trainee students also wear a form of uniform. In this case, the uniform will involve the wearing of a white shirt, black trousers and black shoes.

Here again the providers face the challenge as the student trainee may have used this as a form of rebellion in school. They may well try this as a way of testing with the provider.

Unlike other meetings, however, these trainee students are being offered the opportunity of different sites where they may wish to try. In many instances, I believe the success of placements may lie in whether the student or trainee knows fellow students or trainees. Certainly that was the feedback i got.

Conclusion

The Pilot programme sounds good. Will the reality work out. It has taken 3 months to get to a stage where options that are real options are being offered. it was only last week I was informed that the main stream school option was unlikely to be offered. Between the delays, staff holidays, administration and legal process that is a lot of wasted time.

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.

The Government promises to Youth

Cameron Government intro

 Its  all about  Welfare Change. The changes that  may well effect are those on Universal Credit, JSA Youth Contract, Esa Disability benefits and Industrial Accident   David Cameron the prime minister showed the cameras the manifesto. He refers to the manifesto and you can see some of the relevant comments here.

The Conservative Party Manifesto -Promises ahead on Jobs

key slogan-Full employment

"A job is the best way to provide security for families"

Introduction

Following the election of the Conservative Party to power within the Uk. the Key phrase used within their Manifesto has been "Full Employment" not underemployment or Unemployment.   In this Post I have Quoted the Partie's manifesto

We will boost apprenticeships and help you secure a good job We have already delivered 2.2 million new apprenticeships over the last five years. Over the next five years, we will deliver three million more and ensure they deliver the skills employers need.
 We aim to achieve full employment in the UK, with the highest employment rate in the G7, and we will help businesses create two million jobs over the Parliament. We have abolished the jobs tax – employers' National Insurance contributions (NICs) – for the under 21s and next year we will do the same for young apprentices under 25.
We will continue to help smaller businesses take on new workers through the Employment Allowance, which frees businesses from the first £2,000 of employers’ NICs so that a third of employers pay no jobs tax.

"Our plan will help to generate jobs and higher wages for everybody"

Youth & NEET's

Jobcentre Plus advisers will work with schools and colleges to supplement careers advice and provide routes into work experience and apprenticeships. But it is not fair – on taxpayers, or on young people themselves that 18-21 year-olds with no work experience should slip straight into a life on benefits without first contributing to their community. So we will introduce tougher






Day One Work Requirements for young people claiming out-of-work benefits. We will replace the Jobseeker’s Allowance for 18-21 year-olds with a Youth Allowance that will be time-limited to six months, after which young people will have to take an apprenticeship, a traineeship or do daily community work for their benefits


. It is also not fair that taxpayers should have to pay for 18-21 year-olds on Jobseeker’s Allowance to claim Housing Benefit in order to leave home. So we will ensure that they no longer have an automatic entitlement to Housing Benefit We will fight for equal opportunity for Disabled Last year alone, 140,000 disabled people found work. But the jobless rate for this group remains too high and, as part of our objective to achieve full employment, we will aim to halvethe disability employment gap: we will transform policy, practice and public attitudes, so that hundreds of thousands more disabled people who can and want to be in work find employment. We now have more women-led businesses than ever before, more women in work than ever before and more women on FTSE 100 boards than ever before. We want to see full, genuine gender equality. The gender pay gap is the lowest on record, but we want to reduce it further and will push business to do so: we will require companies with more than 250 employees to publish the difference between the average pay of their male and female employee