Apprenticeships
Our apprenticeship programme is designed to make sure apprentices develop the knowledge and skills to become an expert in their role.
Our team of trainers, assessors and quality assurers are highly qualified and experienced, and have many years of occupational competency.
We work closely with the employer to make sure that the apprenticeship meets the needs of your organisation and that the apprentice has the level of support they need to complete the programme.
We pride ourselves on our success rates and the pastoral care and support we provide to all our apprentices.
By investing in apprenticeships, you can:
- fill immediate gaps in your team
- build skilled talent for future growth
- position your business as an employer of choice.
Our apprenticeship programmes are rated OUTSTANDING by Ofsted.
Find out more about how apprenticeships are valued with real world experiences.
How apprenticeships work
The length of the training depends on the apprenticeship:
- Level 2 apprenticeships are delivered over 12 months
- Level 3 apprenticeships are over an 18-month period.
We provide group sessions during the practical period of an apprenticeship.
These taught sessions will deliver learning opportunities covering the theory and understanding of the knowledge, skills and behaviours criteria set in the standards of the qualification.
Each apprentice is allocated an assessor who will provide regular 1-2-1 support. This includes a monthly review to guide the apprentice through the evidence they will need to produce for their portfolio.
As the employer you’ll be required to allocate time each week for your apprentice to produce evidence for their portfolio.
What happens at the end of an apprenticeship
The End Point Assessment (EPA) period is an assessment at the end of the apprenticeship to show how well the apprentice can carry out the occupation they’ve been trained for. This assessment period is usually 3 months.
Each apprenticeship’s EPA is structured slightly differently. For most, the apprentice will have to provide a portfolio of evidence. This is given to an independent assessor who will then interview them as part of the EPA.
Other common assessment methods at EPA include:
- presentations with question and answer sessions about a project the apprentice has managed
- direct observation in the workplace followed by professional discussion
- a multiple-choice exam.
Maths and English requirements
If your apprentice is under the age of 19 at the beginning of the apprenticeship, they must provide evidence of maths and English qualifications.
The grade required will differ depending on the level of the apprenticeship:
- for Level 2 apprenticeships, GCSE grade 1/F or above (or equivalent) is required
- for Level 3 apprenticeships, GCSE grade 4/C or above (or equivalent) is required.
If this has not been achieved prior to enrolment, the apprentice will be given the opportunity to work towards a Functional Skills qualification in literacy or numeracy with us, alongside the apprenticeship.
Apprentices who begin their training when they’re aged 19 and above are not subject to the mandatory requirement to study towards and achieve English and maths. However, the apprentice or the employer can still choose for the apprentice to study towards an English or maths qualification.
Our current apprenticeships
Teaching assistant level 3
The role of a teaching assistant is to:
- provide support to children and young people in the school
- help children with their educational and social development both inside and outside of the classroom.
This apprenticeship develops the skills, knowledge and behaviours needed of a teaching assistant. Apprentices will also learn:
- key legislation
- policy and practice
- safeguarding
- British values.
Business administrator level 3
Business administrators have a highly transferable set of knowledge, skills and behaviours that can be applied in all sectors.
This includes small and large businesses alike, from the public, private or third sectors.
The role may involve working independently or as part of a team and will involve developing, implementing, maintaining and improving administrative services.
Customer service practitioner level 3
The role of a customer service practitioner is to deliver high quality products and services to the customers which will be delivered from the workplace, digitally, or through going out into the customer’s own locality.
These may be one-off or routine contacts and include:
- dealing with orders
- payments
- offering advice, guidance and support
- meet and greets
- sales
- fixing problems
- after care
- service recovery
- gaining insight through measuring customer satisfaction.
You may be the first point of contact and work in any sector or organisation type.
Team leader level 3
A team leader is a first line management role, with operational and project responsibilities or responsibility for managing a team to deliver a clearly defined outcome.
They provide direction, instructions and guidance to ensure the achievement of set goals. Working in the private, public or third sector and in all sizes of organisation, specific responsibilities will vary, but the knowledge, skills and behaviours needed will be the same whatever the role.
Key responsibilities are likely to include:
- supporting, managing, and developing team members
- managing projects
- planning and monitoring workloads and resources
- delivering operational plans
- resolving problems
- building relationships internally and externally.
Benefits of an apprenticeship
Fill skill gaps
Apprenticeships will allow you to train talent to specific job requirements. You'll be developing staff with the exact skills your business needs. This ensures that your team has the capabilities needed to thrive.
Cost-effective workforce development
Government funding is available to offset training costs for apprentices. You can invest in talent to build a highly skilled team without going over budget.
Improve employee retention
Apprentices are more likely to stay with your company long-term. This reduces turnover and recruitment costs.
Employee development
Apprenticeships provide structured training and real-world experiences. This means you'll gain team members who understand your culture and processes from day one.
Team culture
Experienced employees take pride in mentoring and sharing knowledge with apprentices. This creates a supportive and engaged workplace culture. You can boost morale and productivity across your company through a strong workplace culture.
Contact us
Whether you're looking for an apprenticeship, or are interested in taking on an apprentice, contact us at adulteducation@medway.gov.uk or phone 01634 338 400.
