Modern Apprenticeship Scheme

mikewebs

Hi there

I am currently studying an accountancy course and have come across some information that may help someone here (if this is the right forum to put it in).

If you are working in an specific occupational area (eg accounts - only cos that's what I am familiar with now) and you want to get a qualification to improve your skills you can apply to study at a college on the modern apprenticeship scheme for that occupation. This may notbe news. But what was news to me is that you and your employer benefit by having course fees paid for you, having any professional body (eg AAT) membership fees paid, course texts paid for, exam fees paid for. All this on my particular course would amount to a cost to a part time student of about £500 for a year.

The upside of this? Your employer gets a worker with industry recognised qualifications for zero cost - most courses are offered on a part-time basis and many are offered in the evenings -so they don't lose you for a halfor full day.
The benefit to you - the worker? You get industry standard qualifications that can always be taken with you to a new employer making you more a more attractive proposition than an unqualified candidate.
You also get the support of fellow students - something which some distance learning courses lack.
For me (a middle aged fool), the best bit of this (I believe) - there is NO repeat NO upper age limit. So it's not just for school leavers and under 25's as you would think.
I can only suggest that anyone thinking of getting qualified in their specific field should investigate this further. Here in the sunny Vale of Glamorgan you only have to contact the Vale of Glamorgan Training Association, although I am sure there are similar bodies throughout the UK.

I really hope this post helps someone who is umm-ing and arr-ing about going to get qualified and is put off because of the costs.

I have got so much from going back to college (though I am not on a modern apprenticeship because i didn't think they applied to oldies like me) indeed I would go as far as to say my life has been renewed because I am learning again.

hth someone

Mike

Tigger36

I'm afraid that the Apprenticeship route is only for people aged 16 to 25. And to be honest, 16-21 in reality due to the lack of funding from the Learning Skills Council. They're no longer 'Modern Apprenticeships' just 'Apprenticeships'.
They are good and even better now as they have a 'proper' wage attached - no longer the standard £40 per week which they used to be. I've just signed a 17 year old up to an Apprenticeship for £180 per week and training to NVQ level 4!
Technically, Apprentices can be taken on at any age as long as they achieve their NVQ before the age of 25. Unfortunately, in my experience, they are mainly for school leavers due to funding constraints.

andym765

I did an appreticeship when i was 17 best thing i ever did

mikewebs

I have checked and the modern apprenticeship scheme seems to still be operating in Wales and in Scotland (I believe) so there is hope for some people. I would liek to reiterate that, although this scheme makes it free to train, there many hidden benefits such as new friends and building confidence and gaining new skills and these things are hugely important for many people who feel they are in stagnant positions at work.