St Helens College | 2024 School Leavers' Prospectus

Visit www.sthelens.ac.uk/ apprenticeships for more information Wework with hundreds of employers across the Northwest, providing an extensive range of apprenticeship vacancies. Our strong collaborations with local, regional and national employers, make us one of the largest apprenticeship providers in the area. Employer Partnerships 38 Parent FAQs It is a statutory requirement for an apprentice to spend aminimumof 6 hours per week of their paid working hours ‘off-the-job’. This timewill be spent receiving training to gain the skills needed to complete their apprenticeship. The 6 hours training can be delivered flexibly, by either the College or employer, as part of each day or one day per week and can either be remote learning or allocated time in theworkplace. The employer andCollegewill decide on the best model. What is off-the-job training? A highwage doesn’t alwaysmean that an apprenticeship is good. Look out for a role that is varied, has staff benefits, extra training opportunities as well as progression opportunities. All of the above shows the employer is looking to invest in the apprentice to develop thempersonally and professionally. Howcan I tell if it is a good apprenticeship? Apprentices can benefit fromvariousmoney saving schemes including: • An NUSApprentice Extra Card - the card costs £11 per year to set up but provides apprentices with massive discounts on high street and online retailers. • A variety of travel discounts - apprentices aged 16-25 can apply for a railcard saving up to a third on train fares. • A £1,000 bursary is available for care leavers aged 16-24, to help the transition into theworkplace. Financial support for apprentices? The current national minimumwage for an apprentice is £5.28 (as of April 2023) but this can vary depending on age and length of time on the programme. Any apprentices aged 19+, must be paid at least the National MinimumWage rate for their age, after their first 12months in their apprenticeship. Howmuch do apprentices get paid? There are various levels of apprenticeships that can be applied for, which are dependant on your current skills and qualifications. Apprenticeship qualifications are just as substantial as alternative study routes and can still provide entry to university, upon completion of a level 3 apprenticeship. See the below table for an explanation of apprenticeship equivalent levels: What apprenticeship levels are there? 3 2 A levels, 4 AS Levels, Level 3 Diploma/Certificate AdvancedApprenticeship 6 and 7 Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree DegreeApprenticeship Type Level Equivalent Education Level 2 5GCSEs (grades 9-4) IntermediateApprenticeship 4, 5, 6 and 7 Foundation, Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree Higher Apprenticeship 39