Apprenticeship Tutors & Vocational Qualifications
We provide a comprehensive service tailored for students that are learning/ pursuing Apprenticeship and Vocational courses, assisting with application procedures to Apprenticeship and Vocational courses and support with school open days and interview advice. An important part of an education experience is not only matching the child to a school where they will thrive academically but moreover to place them where the pupil will be happy and flourish, learning what they are passionate about. Our Apprenticeship Tutors can guide you through applications and vocational courses.
What are Vocational courses?
Vocational courses are based on developing a learner’s practical skills, a training programme that is less focused on academic study. Vocation means that the course is tailored to prepare learners to enter into a specific workforce which requires its workers to be skilled using particular equipment and knowledgeable on appropriate health and safety rules and on technical information. This building of a specified skillset enables learners to pursue a practical career, suited to their interests and abilities. Learners that are better suited to practical assessments and coursework over academic exams are likely to thrive under vocational course conditions, able to demonstrate their knowledge in a practical way.
Vocational course Levels:
Vocational courses are made up of differing Levels to enable learners of different educational backgrounds and abilities to enter into their desired vocation. Previous academic grades and achievements and work experience are considered during the course application process. Vocational Levels span from Entry Level/ Level 1 to Level 4, with learners moving towards Level 4 and passing Levels in accordance with appropriate work submission, attendance and behaviour throughout the course. Our apprenticeship tutors can guide you through the various course options and careers planning.
Entry Level and Level 1 is the level suitable for learners that do not pass their GCSEs whilst at Secondary school and is equivalent to three or four GCSEs at grades D to G.
Level 2 is the level that learners start on if they have achieved four GCSEs at grade D and above, with some level 2 courses requiring learners who have not gained their mathematics and English GCSEs to study them whilst on this level. A level 2 qualification is equivalent to four or five GCSE grades at A* to C.
Level 3 is appropriate for learners who have passed four to five+ GCSEs at grade C or above, with most Level 3 courses requiring learners to have a grade A* to C in maths and/or English to enter the vocation at this level. Level 3 is equivalent to two or three A Levels. Vocational courses are a route to employment and/or higher education, with most university courses accepting a Level 3 qualification for entry.
Level 4 is a course equivalent to a Foundation Degree or Higher National Diploma (HND).
What are Apprenticeships?
Apprenticeships are a form of vocational course, combining classroom learning with practical on-the-job learning, often divided by 80% industry based practical learning and 20% in classroom learning. Apprentices are typically employed by the company where they are training and learning, earning a wage and benefitting from holiday and sick pay policies. As an apprentice you will work alongside experienced staff members, often being given a mentor to guide you through new processes, who will also oversee your development whilst you learn new skills. These job-specific skills mean that as you are learning theory in classroom and workshop-based learning, you are also able to apply this knowledge in a working industry environment, finding solutions to real problems and contributing to team work to get work done in a timely manner. Apprenticeships take between a year and five years to complete, dependent on the subject and the Level at which you are studying.
Vocational Qualifications:
NVQs (National Vocational Qualifications):
National Vocational Qualifications (NVQs) are built on national occupational standards of performance that describe the expectations of people that are competent in their field of industry. These standards cover current best practice, adaptability to future requirements and knowledge that underpins competent performance within the specific field. NVQs do not have to be completed in a specific amount of time, taken by full-time employees or by students still in school and college alike, through work placement and part-time jobs.
SVQs (Scottish Vocational Qualifications):
Scottish Vocational Qualifications (SVQs) are built in a similar way to NVQs but are used in Scotland. All SVQs are credit rated by the Scottish Credit Qualifications Framework (SCQF), enabling learners to see a clear progression route between other Scottish national qualifications and the SVQ provision.
VRQs (Vocationally Related Qualifications):
Vocationally Related Qualifications (VRQs) are more popular qualifications, with different levels that enable learners of different academic grades and abilities to enter into a given vocational area (listed above). The certification is awarded by international bodies such as City & Guilds or VTCT. Candidates on a VRQ course are required to take written tests alongside assessments on their work exemplified at their workplace.
What subjects can I do an Apprenticeship in?
Business, Administration and Law apprenticeships:
- Accounting/ Bookkeeping
- Banking
- Insurance/ Finance
- Criminal investigation
- Human Resources / Legal services
- Management/ Marketing
- Payroll
- Social media marketing
Health, Public Services and Care apprenticeships:
- Care leadership
- Court/ prosecution admin
- Emergency fire services
- Health and care
- Optical retail
- Pharmacy
- Her Majesty’s Forces
- Police force
Retail and Commercial Enterprise apprenticeships:
- Hairdressing and barbering
- Beauty therapy
- Catering
- Fashion and textiles
- Funeral operations
- Hospitality
- Trade and logistics
- Property services
- Retail management
- Vehicle sales
Engineering and Manufacturing Technologies apprenticeships:
- Engineering construction
- Aviation ground operative
- Composite engineering
- Manufacturing
- Electrotechnical
- Gas industry
- ICA electrician
- Heating and ventilation
- Nuclear working
- Rail engineering
- Vehicle service and repair
Construction, Planning and the Built Environment apprenticeships:
- Civil engineering
- Building
- Management
- Plumbing and heating
- Surveying
What are the benefits of studying through an Apprenticeship?
Studying a vocational/ apprenticeship course enables you to develop your skillset in a given industry, establishing working relationships with experienced people, whilst earning money at the same time. An apprenticeship enables participants to understand the field that they wish to find a career within, learning about the latest advancements in the classroom and the traditional and tested methods whilst in working conditions. Learners can also understand the expectations and realities of their intended progression route, enabling learners to make informed decisions in relation to their career goals.
Apprenticeship Tutors & Vocational Qualifications
If you would like to arrange schools entrance consultancy or enquire about our schools placement service in England as well as schools entrance tests please call us on Tel: +44 (0) 207 665 6606 or you can send us an email via our contact form.
Useful Apprenticeship Tutors Resources Links:
https://www.gov.uk/become-apprentice
http://www.differencebetween.net/miscellaneous/career-education/difference-between-vrq-and-nvq/
https://www.cityandguilds.com/qualifications-and-apprenticeships/qualifications-explained
https://www.gov.uk/apply-apprenticeship
https://askanydifference.com/difference-between-nvq-and-vrq/
https://www.ucas.com/apprenticeships/apprenticeships-england
https://findapprenticeshiptraining.apprenticeships.education.gov.uk/courses
https://www.instituteforapprenticeships.org/apprenticeship-standards/