"Apprenticeships" in the construction industry

auldblerk

I can't say for other regions but these are starting to appear in mine and it's bad news for me. Obviously aimed at kids still living with their parents so who are the contractors going to take on ? .. A 50 year old and pay full whack or a 20 year old and pay £100 a week ?

C_Mababejive

I wouldnt like to buy the homes they might be building. As for the youngsters, my advice is not to follow a career plan involving manual work as no matter how skilled you are,you are forever seen and treated as a dishonest rubbing rag.

saintjammyswine

So people moan about apprenticeships in other industries and refer to these as "proper apprenticeships" and now people are moaning about these ones, some of the oldest apprenticeships there are.

Not sure why you think they are only "starting to appear" though.

"I wouldnt like to buy the homes they might be building" - care to elaborate?

GothicStirling

auldblerk wrote: »

I can't say for other regions but these are starting to appear in mine and it's bad news for me. Obviously aimed at kids still living with their parents so who are the contractors going to take on ? .. A 50 year old and pay full whack or a 20 year old and pay £100 a week ?

So, if they hire 50 years olds (and to be honest if I where a construction boss you would have to convince me you where a fit 50 year old, I would be more likely to go for a 30-40), in 15-20 years time they are going to end up with a skills shortage. I think these kind of apprenticeships are a great idea, what bugs me is the ones for 'waitresses' or 'caf! assistants.'

As for the comment above, its not as though they're leaving a load of 19 year olds to build a house themselves, they are supervised. Any way, how would you know whether a apprentice had laid the foundations or someone with 25 years experience, by the time you arrive at the show house?

auldblerk

These kind of "apprenticeships" (construction industry) are just starting to appear here but in days of old, an apprenticeship meant 4 years then you qualify for a trade .. these 'micky mouse' apprenticeships are a sham and a ploy by the government to get the figures down / target a particular category of people just like zero hours and agency work.

auldblerk

GothicStirling wrote: »

So, if they hire 50 years olds (and to be honest if I where a construction boss you would have to convince me you where a fit 50 year old, I would be more likely to go for a 30-40), in 15-20 years time they are going to end up with a skills shortage. I think these kind of apprenticeships are a great idea, what bugs me is the ones for 'waitresses' or 'caf! assistants.'

As for the comment above, its not as though they're leaving a load of 19 year olds to build a house themselves, they are supervised. Any way, how would you know whether a apprentice had laid the foundations or someone with 25 years experience, by the time you arrive at the show house?

Don't just sweep 50 years old under the carpet like they are not fit to work, I know plenty of fit 50 year olds !

saintjammyswine

auldblerk wrote: »

These kind of "apprenticeships" (construction industry) are just starting to appear here but in days of old, an apprenticeship meant 4 years then you qualify for a trade .. these 'micky mouse' apprenticeships are a sham and a ploy by the government to get the figures down / target a particular category of people just like zero hours and agency work.

It took 4 years because it wasnt structured and the apprentice spent more time making tea and sweeping the floor than learning their trade.

Why do you think they are worse now?
Have you been into the colleges and seen what they learn?
What do you think they learn on their apprenticeship?
Are you aware of the different levels of apprenticeship and that they can still take 4 years to complete?

auldblerk

It took 4 years because it wasnt structured and the apprentice spent more time making tea and sweeping the floor than learning their trade.


Really ? A City and Guilds Apprenticeship used to be looked upon as a stroke of luck and good fortune if you ever got on one so more than just about making tea.
How long are these apprenticeships for ? a month ? a year ? and do you get a qualification at the end ?

saintjammyswine

auldblerk wrote: »

It took 4 years because it wasnt structured and the apprentice spent more time making tea and sweeping the floor than learning their trade.


Really ? A City and Guilds Apprenticeship used to be looked upon as a stroke of luck and good fortune if you ever got on one so more than just about making tea.
How long are these apprenticeships for ? a month ? a year ? and do you get a qualification at the end ?

City & Guilds were a well respected and recognised Awarding Organisation, they still are.
Aprpenticeships in construction last for up to 3-4 years possibly longer depending on trade.
There are levels of apprenticeship from Intermediate (Level 2) which is typical entry level for a young person then Advanced (level 3) which goes into more depth & specialism progressing onto Higher (Level 4) which is at HND level and allows them to progress onto a relevant degree.

Do you get a qualification? Of course, that is whole point of it. Having been taught in the workshop/classroom, the learner is assessed against set standards and if they meet them, they are awarded a qualification to prove it.

Example of an Advanced Apprenticeship will include the following;


Assessed in the workplace/college workshops - NVQ Level 3 in Trowel Occupations - Construction Bricklayer route
Taught element (classroom/workshops) - Level 3 Diploma in Trowel Occupations
Maths level 2
English level 2
Or GCSE grades A-C

The Literacy & numeracy elements are now a mandatory part if the apprenticeship unless the candidate already has Level 2 equivalent qualificaitons such as GCSEs as above.

auldblerk

Still don't know length, yes C & G is 4 years, sometimes more depending on what trade .. I knew that but the ones that are creeping onto the jobsearch are a different kettle of fish so I'll put it another way; how long are you receiving £100 a week ?

saintjammyswine

auldblerk wrote: »

Still don't know length, yes C & G is 4 years, sometimes more depending on what trade .. I knew that but the ones that are creeping onto the jobsearch are a different kettle of fish so I'll put it another way; how long are you receiving £100 a week ?

An apprenticeship (each level) must be a year at least.
So Intermediate = 1 yr
Advanced = 1 yr
Higher = 1 yr
total 3 years.

this is typical and is split into levels so people who dont want/need/have the ability to do higher than basic levels can still get a qualification and people can skip levels if they have prior learning/ability.

Apprentices are paid from the first day of their apprenticeship and they’re entitled to the National Minimum Wage.
The current minimum wage rate for an apprentice is £2.68 per hour. This rate applies to apprentices aged 16 to 18 and those aged 19 or over who are in their first year.
Apprentices aged 19 or over who have completed their first year must be paid at least the minimum wage rate for their age.