TUC Apprenticeships pack inserts (7a)

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Encourage apprentices to engage with the professional bodies, particularly if they run activities and networking events and provide resources that will help them develop their career Reps should: ➜➜ investigate whether their employer’s Apprenticeship scheme meets the industry standard and is approved by the relevant professional body ➜➜ make sure the apprentices in their workplace take up the opportunity to register, if their scheme is approved ➜➜ challenge management to improve the Apprenticeship programme if it is not approved so that it meets the standards by making use of the free help available from the professional bodies ➜➜ encourage apprentices to engage with the professional bodies, particularly if they run activities and networking events and provide resources that will help them develop their career ➜➜ include professional registration in learning events organised in the workplace by union learning reps ➜➜ negotiate with the employer for financial support for registration and professional body membership for apprentices. Who are technicians and what do they do? Technicians are the trained professionals who install, maintain and operate the equipment and technology each day that makes the UK’s engineering and science industries successful. They work in practically all industries from aerospace and the rail industry to higher and further education. Typically, technicians are responsible for overseeing production and solving practical problems, but many also work in research and help their businesses to develop new products and processes. Information is available from: Unionlearn Technician Pathways project www.unionlearn.org.uk/technicianpathways Prospect RegTech project www.careersmart.org.uk/regtech Engineering Council www.engc.org.uk/informationfor/studentsapprentices-and-graduates/apprentices/ EngTechNow www.engtechnow.com/news/Features/ engtech-perfect-for-Apprenticeships Science Council www.sciencecouncil.org/careers-fromscience/Apprenticeships/ Technicians Make it Happen www.technicians.org.uk/
11 Minimum standards Government minimum standards for Apprenticeships There are minimum standards that must be met by Apprenticeship programmes. The Skills Funding Agency has published a Statement on Apprenticeship Quality. 15 There are basic requirements of Apprenticeship programmes. The Statement on Apprenticeship Quality, published in May 2012, summarises the aspects of Apprenticeships subject to minimum standards: ➜➜ a minimum length of 12 months ➜➜ 280 hours guided learning: Guided learning is the time spent developing technical skills, knowledge of theoretical concepts and practical skills on the job whilst being guided – apprentices must spend at least 280 hours in ‘guided learning’ in their first year (this is the bare minimum and many high quality Apprenticeships would see far more hours dedicated to guided learning) ➜➜ 100 hours or 30 per cent (whichever is greater) of all guided learning must be delivered off the job – clear and verifiable evidence must be provided of all learning undertaken ➜➜ employed for 30 hours a week: Apprentices must be employed for a minimum of 30 hours per week, including time training away from the workplace. If an apprentice’s personal circumstances or if the nature of employment in a given sector make it impossible to work these hours, then an absolute minimum of 16 hours a week must be worked. In these exceptional cases, the total duration of the Apprenticeship is extended accordingly. ➜➜ training to Level 2 in maths and English: Apprenticeships must offer training to Level 2 in English and maths or Functional Skills, if the apprentice does not already have these or equivalent qualifications ➜➜ Apprenticeship Agreements: Apprentices must sign an Apprenticeship Agreement with their employer before the Apprenticeship begins. This is a contract stipulating the framework being followed and the skill, trade or occupation the apprentices is working in. It is not a legally binding contract, but without it an Apprenticeship completion certificate cannot be issued ➜➜ specification of Apprenticeship Standards for England (SASE): SASE sets out minimum academic requirements that all frameworks must meet. This is a technical document written principally to guide organisations designing frameworks. It stipulates minimum qualification levels required of successful apprentices under the vocational, technical and key skills elements of the Apprenticeship. It also specifies standards of attainment 15 www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/393819/Statement-on- Apprenticeship-QualityV1.pdf
Page 2 and 3: 1 Negotiating and bargaining Negoti
Page 4: Making the business case There is s
Page 7 and 8: Genuine industrial partnerships, in
Page 9: 3 Pay for apprentices Pay for appre
Page 12 and 13: Where they are present, union safet
Page 16 and 17: 6 Widening access Widening Apprenti
Page 18: Encourage applications for Apprenti
Page 21 and 22: A mentor should be someone from out
Page 23 and 24: Functional 8 skills English, maths
Page 26 and 27: 9 Frameworks & standards Frameworks
Page 28: allow apprentices to study to degre
Page 31: programmes, and can help align them
Page 35 and 36: 12 TUC charter TUC Apprenticeships
Page 37: 12 RMT charter RMT and Apprenticesh
Page 41 and 42: Apprentices should be given suffici
Page 44 and 45: 12 Unite charter Unite and Apprenti
Page 46: jointly developed and endorsed / ag

TUC Apprenticeships pack inserts (7a)

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