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Parents and Stakeholders

The government encourages everyone to continue learning. There has been a proven link to keeping the mind clear and alert through the years by learning something new frequently.

Swatpro offers support for individuals to develop employability skills, undertake an apprenticeship, access further learning by using the Learner Loans for commercial training.

The government has stated that everyone born on or after 1st September 1997 must stay in some form of education or training until 18. The post-16 options are full-time education (e.g. at a school or college), an apprenticeship or traineeship, or part-time education or training - as well as being employed, self-employed or volunteering for 20 hours or more a week.

Wanting to know more?

If you want to understand the various pathways for young people to take and wish to talk to us about our offer, then please get in contact and we will get back to you.

Apprenticeships

Apprenticeships can only be completed in work. They are suitable for people who are new to the job, or for people to upskill within the workplace. They are industry designed to support people within work to gain the skills that are needed to do the job. They can last for a few years and complete only when the end point assessment is completed and achieved.They start at an equivalent to GSCE level and raise through to degree levels.

An apprenticeship – the role of the employer, training provider and apprentice

The employer is responsible for the contract of employment and paying the wage, and ensuring the apprentice has a mentor and is supported to ensure that all elements of the apprenticeship can and will be met.

Employers often pay above the National Minimum wage and this will be specified in the vacancy or discussed if approaching an employer regarding apprenticeships

National Minimum Wage

The Training Provider is responsible for ensuring the apprentice is eligible and has the required level of qualifications to commence the apprenticeship. They are also responsible for the training required, the assessment of the knowledge and skills during the training and ensuring the apprentice has met the requirements for the apprentice to sit their end-point assessment.

The apprentice is required to attend training and undertake the set work in a timely fashion. This will include taught lessons, professional observations, preparing their portfolios, undertaking English and maths (if this is required). They are required to complete all elements of the apprenticeship and attend the end-point assessment if undertaking an apprenticeship standard.

How to apply for an apprenticeship:

If you are newly out of school or unemployed and would like an apprenticeship, then the first step it to make sure you are ready to apply for an apprenticeship. This involves preparing for an interview and to understand what is involved for you when you start an apprenticeship.

There are many ways to do this.

Apprenticeships are available for people aged 16 and over

Following your application, you will either start work and commence your apprenticeship or if unsuccessful, apply for further apprenticeships or consider one of the options below to become better prepared for interview.

  • See our list of apprenticeships
  • Book on a TRAINEESHIP

  • Employability Courses.
  • Industry specific and targeted courses
    • Health & Safety in the Workplace Award, preparation for the CSCS exam
    • English
    • Math
    • IT
  • Sector Based Work Academies.
  • Study Programmes
  • If you are interested in a study programme, please contact us

Top 5 Tips for nailing your apprenticeship interview

#1. Before you arrive

Please switch off your mobile phone too! Only you can get the apprenticeship, so put yourself first and turn off your phone. Everyone else can wait.

Please throw away any chewing gum before you arrive. Nothing more embarrassing than having to ask to place it in their waste basket! Remember, chewing gum during an interview is showing the person interviewing you that you haven’t prepared and are not really taking your interview seriously.

#2. Arrive on time

Plan to arrive 10mins early and always plan that something may delay you. So be prepared give yourself even more time to get to the location. Oh! An obvious thought, but one that gets many people unstuck. Is check where you must be; don’t assume the location. They may interview somewhere else. Then check out your route to get there. If driving check where you can park; do not assume there is parking for you.

#3. Dress smartly

Always dress in your best clothes. If you don’t have a suit, don’t worry, it’s not essential. A plain ironed shirt, trousers and nicely polished shoes will do just fine (never trainers!) For bonus points, wear a tie; or a smart dress or shirt and blouse/jumper.

#4. Make eye contact

Even if you’re a nervous wreck inside, your interviewer doesn’t have to know that. There are plenty of tricks to feign confidence – firm handshake, sitting up straight, speaking clearly – but none as important as making eye contact with your interviewer when speaking. Look at the floor and you’ll come across as shifty and insincere. Gaze out of the window and you’ll give the impression that you’re not interested in the apprenticeship and would rather be somewhere else. Look your interviewer straight in the eye – show them you are interested!

#4. Show enthusiasm and be prepared

Be prepared for this question. “Why do you want to do this apprenticeship?” This is your chance to shine above everyone else who is asked this question. The interviewer will want to know why you want to do the apprenticeship and why you want to do it with them. Show them your passion in the topic; if for example it is a chef apprenticeship, do you cook at home; what have you cooked; how does it make you feel when you cook; do you taste your food? Why do you think you would like to work in a professional kitchen and why do you want to train with them? What is it about them you really like?

Try and think about the job and the company and blow them away with your enthusiasm. Then when you have told them, turn the questions on to them and ask them about the job.

Be prepared and think of lots of answers and questions too.

So, in summary: Plan how you’re getting there, what clothes you’re going to wear, what questions you’re going to ask. If you’re going for an interview with an employer, go online and do some research into the company. You’ll get a stack of brownie points if you can show that you already know a thing or two about the company. Don’t leave prep work till the last minute either; do it the day before so you aren’t rushing around at the last minute, creating unnecessary stress.

Meet with the training provider and they will support you to see if this apprenticeship is for you. This often means a check of your prior levels of qualifications to make sure you are eligible for the level of apprenticeship you are considering.

Once this has been agreed then, with the support of your provider, you approach employers you would like to work for and ask if they would consider taking you on as an apprentice.

Traineeships

Traineeships are available for people aged 16-24 only

A traineeship is a programme offering work experience, continuing to develop English and maths skills, whilst preparing for the world of work. These are very effective as a transition into an apprenticeship, as they give the opportunity to understand what the job entails, what it feels like to do the job and gives each individual the best chance of demonstrating to employers their commitment to work, their work ethic and to gain understanding of the job in preparation of a job interview.

If you are interested in a traineeship, please contact us

Employability courses

Employability courses are available to people aged 19 and over only

These courses are designed to bring a better understanding of the world of work. What employers are looking for in personal qualities and behaviours, to research and understand different sectors of work, along with specific businesses in readiness to apply for a job.

In addition, to ensure that individuals prepare in terms of personal presentation, how to sell themselves through a CV and covering letter, how to disclose criminal offences, how to disclose health conditions (if this is felt necessary), how to apply online, how to present yourself at interview, what to expect after the interview including preparing to come off benefits (if applicable) and to budget from a wage. Continue to build on English, maths and IT skills.

You will come away from these courses more confident to apply for a job, and apprenticeship or enrol of further training.

If you are interested in an employability course, please contact us

These are available to people aged 19 and over, due to funding restrictions

Sector-Based Work Academies

These are tailored by a specific employer (or group of employers), with a focus on preparing to apply for their vacancies. They will cover what is included in the Employability course but be focused on the result of interview for this employer (group of employers).

If you are interested in any of the above sector-based work academies, please contact us.

If you are interested in any of the above industry specific or targeted courses, please contact us

These are available to people aged 19 and over, due to funding restrictions

Study Programme

These are for people aged 16-18. due to funding restrictions

Study programmes are longer courses to gain industry skills whilst under taking longer work experience placements. They are another good route into an apprenticeship or work.

Advanced Learner Loans Advanced Leaner Loans Terms and Conditions

We are approved to administer these loans for people who are 19 or older on the first day of their course. The course must be for a Level 3, 4, 5 or 6 qualification, for example A Levels or graduate certificate

The following is a career map to help you to guide your child or student to make their own choices.