Apprenticeships - Overview

What are apprenticeships?
Apprenticeships are employer-based quality training programmes for school leavers, unemployed young people and young people who are already employed.

There are two types of apprenticeship available to young people between the ages of 16 and 24: apprenticeships and advanced apprenticeships. Both programmes usually include:

• An NVQ (National Vocational Qualification)
• A technical certificate (awarded by bodies such as City & Guilds, Edexcel, EDI and IMI)
• Key skills (Communication, Application of Number, Information Technology)

Apprenticeships lead to an NVQ and technical certificate at Level 2 and advanced apprenticeships lead to the qualifications at Level 3. Young people who successfully complete an apprenticeship may be able to move on to an advanced apprenticeship as long as their job role is suitable.

What are NVQs?
National Vocational Qualifications are work-based, nationally recognised qualifications, based on national standards set by industry. They reflect the skills and knowledge needed to do a job effectively and show that the candidate is able to do the job to the standard required. The evidence to achieve an NVQ therefore comes from performance at work.

All NVQs are structured in a similar way and are made up of units. A unit represents an aspect of a job. For example, producing spreadsheets, or shampooing and conditioning hair. Assessments are carried out in the workplace through observation of the candidate's real work and by questioning to test knowledge and understanding. Candidates build a portfolio of evidence that demonstrates their competence and assessors "sign-off" units when achieved.

There are five NVQ levels ranging from Level 1 covering the ability to carry out basic tasks through to Level 4 requiring specialist or technical expertise and Level 5 involving the ability to master and apply complex principles and techniques. NVQs are awarded by bodies such as City & Guilds, Edexcel, EDI and IMI.

NVQs are in the process of being replaced by new vocational qualifications through the Qualification and Credit Framework (QCF). By 2011 the majority of vocational qualifications will be unitised qualifications offered through QCF.

Technical Certificates
Technical certificates are qualifications assessing the specific occupational knowledge and understanding required for the related NVQ. They are usually delivered in a training centre away from the workplace, unlike NVQs that are designed to be assessed in the workplace.

All technical certificates include an external assessment or examination consisting of one or more of the following:

• Case study work
• Multiple choice questions
• Centrally set projects
• Written tests

Once the candidate has passed the external examination they will receive a nationally recognised certificate from the relevant awarding body.

Key Skills
Key skills are an important part of apprenticeship programmes. They cover the basic skills people use every day when carrying out all kinds of tasks and activities, both at work, during training and at home. Key skills increase staff efficiency and motivation and help staff retention.