Apprenticeships Booklet 2017

APPRENTICESHIPS
AT NORTH KENT COLLEGE
NKC
NORTH KENT
COLLEGE

Apprenticeships at North Kent College
The benefits of an apprenticeship programme are far-reaching and have a positive
effect on all involved.
Apprenticeships can offer you the chance to leave school at 16 and go straight into
work, or improve your skills if you’re already in work.
This brochure and our case studies show why so many businesses are employing
apprentices and the progressive influence they have on their organisations.
North Kent College has been offering work-based training and qualifications for
more than twenty years and our reputation for providing flexible and quality training
is supported by local organisations that work closely with us. They help provide
apprenticeship opportunities for our students, within the local, regional and national
communities.
The Government has identified apprenticeships as a huge growth area for training and
up-skilling staff also, as well as a key progression route after GCSEs. They are heavily
promoting apprenticeships through their Get In Go Far campaign, which has led to
increased employer demand for apprentices across a variety of trades and skills.
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What is an apprenticeship?
Apprenticeships offer you the chance to leave
school at 16 and go straight into work so you
earn while you learn and establish a valuable
career path, gaining real
on-the-job experience.
Many young people leave school or university without any real work experience.
An apprenticeship gives you the experience that employers need, it improves your
employability, and makes you an ideal candidate for employers when they’re looking for
newly qualified and skilled staff.
You can start an apprenticeship at any age, not just 16, and with any level of
qualifications. If you’re already in a job, changing to an apprenticeship programme
with your employer can help you develop your skills and increase your chances
of promotion and career progression. If you have qualifications above GCSEs, you
may be able to start an advanced or higher level apprenticeship depending on the
apprenticeship and the job role.
KEY FACT
86% of apprentices
stay in employment
after finishing
their apprenticeship

There are three levels of
apprenticeships available:
We can advise you and your employer which level to undertake depending on your
qualifications and the needs of the business. You can work through each level as you
qualify if you want to.
If you’re already in work and want to gain more skills, speak to your employer about
changing to an apprenticeship and we can advise which is the best apprenticeship
programme for both you and your organisation.
Intermediate
Level 2: equivalent to five A* to C’s at GCSE
Advanced
Level 3: equivalent to two A Levels
Higher
Level 4&5: equivalent to an HND or Foundation Degree
Search our apprenticeship vacancies online:
www.northkent.ac.uk www.skillshubkent.org
www.gov.uk/apply-apprenticeship

How do I apply for an apprenticeship?
Firstly, you must find an apprenticeship before you start your training programme with
us. If you have an organisation ready to take you on as an apprentice, call us to arrange
setting up an apprenticeship training programme with you and your employer. We can
then support you both throughout your training.
If you are looking for an organisation who can offer you an apprenticeship, there are
plenty of vacancies advertised on both our College and Skills Hub websites. Check for
vacancies on www.northkent.ac.uk or www.skillshubkent.org
Or you can visit www.gov.uk/apply-apprenticeship
for vacancies available nationally and apply online.
You’ll need to set up an account to use this service,
but it’s very simple.
Once you’ve applied you will go through a normal
interview process with the employer. Usually the
employer will already have set up the training
programme with us before this stage, but if not
we can help both you and your employer with
the apprenticeship training programme.
If you or your employer need any help and guidance you can contact the NKC
Apprenticeship Team on 0800 074 1447 or apprentices@northkent.ac.uk
We can offer the following FREE services to employers:
• Help regarding the Levy and funding
• Training needs analysis
• Apprentice recruitment service
• On-going dedicated support and specialist advice
from our assessors and business advisors
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Apprenticeships offered
We partner with MidKent College to provide our apprenticeship training
programmes. That way we can offer a huge variety of apprenticeships
based at specialist training facilities at either Colleges’ campuses in
Dartford, Gravesend, Medway or Maidstone. These include:
KEY FACT
There are
apprenticeships in
over 170 industries
covering more than
1,500 job roles.
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The details...
What is an apprenticeship?
An apprenticeship is a work-based learning qualification that enables students to gain
qualifications and experience at the same time. You can find out more on our websites
www.northkent.ac.uk and www.skillshubkent.org
How do I apply for an apprenticeship?
Search for an apprenticeship vacancy advertised on both our College and Skills Hub
websites: www.northkent.ac.uk and www.skillshubkent.org then apply via
email to apprenticevacancies@northkent.ac.uk
Or visit www.gov.uk/apply-apprenticeship for vacancies available nationally and
apply online.
Or get in touch with our Apprenticeship Team at NKC on
0800 074 1447 or apprentices@northkent.ac.uk and we can discuss your
options with you.
Who can I speak to about which apprenticeship suits me?
We have a dedicated Apprenticeship Team available to supply you with
information, advice and guidance. Please contact us on 0800 074 1447 or email
apprentices@northkent.ac.uk
How many hours a week do I study and then also work?
You will work and study for a minimum of 30 hours per week. Attendance at college can
be one day a week, one day a month, one week each month, block release, or entirely in
the workplace, dependent on your occupation. You will be paid for both the hours you
work and the hours you study. The programmes can also be flexible depending on your
employer’s requirements.
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How long will it take me to qualify?
Each apprenticeship training programme – known as a ‘Framework’ or ‘Standard’ - can
range from one year to four years, this is dependent on the occupational area and level of
qualification.
Can I become an apprentice if I’m already working?
Yes – apprenticeships are a great way to gain additional skills and qualifications to help
you get promoted and you can stay in your existing job while you train. Just speak to your
employer about apprenticeship training and call us for further details of how you can
transfer to an apprenticeship.
What are the costs?
There are no training costs for the apprentice (or their parents), apart from normal travel
to work, tools, clothing and equipment costs that any employee would pay.
From Spring 2017 apprenticeship funding is changing. Training costs for apprentices
will be funded by employers through a new ‘Apprenticeship Levy’. This Levy requires
all employers operating in the UK, with a pay bill over £3m each year to invest in
apprenticeships.
Our apprenticeships team can assist your employer with advice about the Levy and its
implications. Please contact us on 0800 074 1447
or email apprenticesnorthkent.ac.uk
How much will I get paid?
Pay depends on the Apprentice National Minimum Wage.
Apprentice’s minimum wage from April 2017 is
£3.50 per hour if under 18 and in the first year of
your apprenticeship. This rises if you are over 18 and when
you progress into your second year. For example a
22 year old apprentice in their 2nd year would be paid a
minimum of £7.05 per hour (April 2017).
The National Minimum Wage changes regularly;
for current information please visit:
www.gov.uk/national-minimum-wage-rates
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Key benefits of an apprenticeship
Earn a salary
The average wage for an apprentice is around £170 - £210 per week.
Check out www.gov.uk/national-minimum-wage-rates for current information.
Get paid holidays
Because you are employed, you are entitled to paid holiday just like other
employees.
Progress your career
You’ll be one step ahead in your career, because you’ll already know the job and
have experience!
Sought after qualifications
Apprenticeships are highly recognised by employers, because you’ll already
have the experience that they need. Not only that, but you’ll gain a nationally
recognised qualification, so you can progress to other levels as you qualify. A
higher apprenticeship qualification is the equivalent of a Foundation Degree.
Learn job-specific skills and training
You’ll be learning the job alongside professionals, which will help you to learn
your skills from qualified, experienced workers.
KEY FACT
More than 100,000
employers use
apprenticeships to attract
new talent, re-skill existing
staff or tackle skill shortages.
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Case study:
Motor Vehicle
Apprentice
Tom Newell
Level 2 Light Vehicle Maintenance
Barkaways Ferrari
Why did you choose to do an
apprenticeship?
So I could learn, gain qualifications and earn
money at the same time.
What did you learn?
Principle workings of light vehicles to give me a
background knowledge in the workplace.
What skills have you developed during
your apprenticeship that will help you
with your career?
How to get around difficult problems that may
arise.
How has North Kent College helped
you realise your achievements?
NKC helped me to gain a Level 2 qualification
and keep focused.
What advice would you give to
anyone who’s thinking about starting
an apprenticeship?
Ensure you start work at a workshop you can
see yourself staying at for the duration of the
apprenticeship and beyond.
If you had the choice again, would you
choose to do an apprenticeship?
Yes, because it has given me wider knowledge
and helped support my experience in the
workplace.
“My apprenticeship has
helped me gain the
qualifications I need to
develop my skills in the
workplace.”
Apprentice
Ben Barkaway
Level 2 Light Vehicle Maintenance
Barkaways Ferrari
Why did you choose to do an
apprenticeship?
So I could learn and earn at the same time.
What did you learn?
All of the criteria for Level 2 light vehicle
maintenance.
What skills have you developed
during your apprenticeship that will
help you with your career?
Communication – to communicate better with
fellow colleagues.
What advice would you give to
anyone who’s thinking about starting
an apprenticeship?
It’s a great way to learn new skills if university
is not suitable for you.
If you had the choice again, would
you choose to do an apprenticeship?
Yes – because it suited my style of learning
‘Learn on the job’.
“Learn and earn.”
KEY FACT
Research shows that
apprentices earn
on average, over
£100,000 more
throughout their lifetime
than other employees
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Employer
Ian Barkaway
Barkaways Ferrari
Why did you choose to take on
apprentices?
To offer a young person the opportunity to
learn the skills required for classic car
restoration, and in so doing investing in the
skills that our business requires.
What benefits have the apprentice
brought to your organisation?
Youthful enthusiasm!
Would you take on an apprentice
again and why?
If the opportunity arises to continue to
develop and grow our staff then we would
consider this route again.
As an employer, what are your
thoughts on the apprenticeship
scheme?
It is often marketed to young people with
limited qualifications and in our case our
apprentices have completed their A Levels
before coming to us, making them excellent
apprentices with the potential to be great
restoration engineers in the future.
“We all started as
apprentices and have
become an award
winning team and our
apprentices have a
fantastic future ahead
of them as part of this
team.“
Photographs (from top): Ian Barkaway, Tom Newell & Ben Barkaway
10

Case study:
Business administration
Employer
Jennie Thomas
Stone Parish Council
Why did you choose to take on an
apprentice?
The Council introduced the Parish Apprenticeship
Scheme to provide an opportunity to local young
people to obtain valuable work experience with
the Council while undertaking a relevant qualification.
The Council also wanted to set an example to
other local SME businesses and organisations that
this was a positive thing to do for the community.
What benefits have the apprentice
brought to your organisation?
Having apprentices has been very rewarding for
the organisation, we have benefitted from the
commitment of the apprentices to gain as much
experience as possible, and this has been
demonstrated through the diverse workloads they
have been prepared to undertake.
Would you take on an apprentice again
and why?
Yes, we would definitely take on further
apprentices as the Council’s programme evolves.
As an employer, what are your thoughts
on the apprenticeship scheme?
As an employer, I think the apprenticeship scheme
offers an excellent opportunity to develop the
skills of young people to enable them to obtain
experience and qualifications necessary to be
successful in the workplace.
“The introduction of a Parish
Apprenticeship Scheme has
enabled the Council to benefit
from the enthusiasm and
commitment of young people
while they obtain valuable
skills and experience.”
Apprentice
Charlotte Powsey
Business & Administration Level 3
Stone Parish Council
Why did you choose to do an
apprenticeship?
I chose to do an apprenticeship to gain more
knowledge, achieve qualifications and to further
my career with the help of the course, whilst in
the workplace.
What skills have you developed?
I learnt that it is possible to gain knowledge
through theory and the workplace. This has
helped me to be organised and prioritise my
work as well as college work. I have learnt
great communication and administration skills
which will help me to further my career in
administration.
How has North Kent College helped
you realise your achievements?
North Kent College has helped me by reassuring
me when I need it and helping me every step of
the way throughout the apprenticeship. They also
helped me to realise that I was capable of taking
the next level of the apprenticeship.
What advice would you give to anyone
who’s thinking about starting an
apprenticeship?
I would advise anyone who is thinking about
starting an apprenticeship to go for it! Do your
research into which course is best for you and be
willing to work hard towards your goal.
“Choosing to do an
apprenticeship and going onto
a higher level was one of the
best choices I have made.”
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Case study:
Accountancy
Apprentice
Olivia Gladden
Accountancy AAT Level 2
Riddingtons Ltd
Why did you choose to do an
apprenticeship?
I enjoyed the idea of carrying on my education in
a specific subject whilst earning, without getting
into debt from university fees.
What did you learn?
Experience is as valuable as education – being
able to do both at the same time really helps
improve your knowledge.
What skills have you developed during
your apprenticeship that will help you
with your career?
It’s helped me with the basics of accounting to set
me off in my career. It has helped me to manage
my work, studying and personal life.
Employer
Jan Carter
Riddingtons Ltd
Why did you choose to take on an
apprentice?
We offer positions so we can train staff inhouse.
What benefits have the apprentice
brought to your organisation?
We train them on how we want things to be
done which is easier for us. They are a great
help with the VAT workings.
Would you take on an apprentice
again and why?
Yes, hopefully we are in the process of
recruiting one now.
As an employer, what are your
thoughts on the apprenticeship
scheme?
It’s a good idea! We like to pay them more
than is suggested as we think the minimum
wage is too low.
How has North Kent College helped
you realise your achievements?
The tutors have been motivational and have
helped me to pull through and remember the
reasons why I am doing it.
What advice would you give to anyone
who’s thinking about starting an
apprenticeship?
To do it, the experience is invaluable and it is so
rewarding seeing your skills grow.
“Experience is as
valuable as education.”
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NKC
NORTH KENT
COLLEGE
Contact us
If you need to contact us for help with apprenticeships, you can call us on
0800 074 1447
or visit
www.northkent.ac.uk / www.skillshubkent.org
Dartford: Oakfield Lane, Dartford, Kent, DA1 2JT
Gravesend: Lower Higham Road, Gravesend, Kent, DA12 2JJ