We’re halfway through National Apprenticeship Week, so we’re bringing you a very special Q&A on all things apprenticeships at City & County.
Let’s clear up a few things.
1) What is an apprenticeship?
An apprenticeship is a paid job where the employee learns and gains valuable experiences.
Alongside on-the-job training, apprentices spend at least 20% of their working hours completing classroom-based learning with a college, university or training provider which leads to a nationally recognised qualification.
An apprenticeship includes:
- paid employment with holiday leave
- hands-on-experience in a sector/role of interest
- at least 20% off-the-job training
- formal assessment which leads to a nationally recognised qualification
2) Will an apprenticeship cost me any money?
The apprenticeship programme is free, City & County Healthcare Group will cover the cost utilising our apprenticeship levy. When you become an apprentice, you’ll need to cover the cost of your day-to-day expenses, such as lunch and travel as you would as a normal employee.
3) Who can do an apprenticeship at City and County?
Anyone aged 16 years old and above, there is no upper age limit. There are no formal qualifications needed to do an apprenticeship at City & County Healthcare Group. You must be employed by City & County Healthcare Group.
4) How long does an apprenticeship take?
The duration of an apprenticeship depends on the course being followed and the ability of the individual apprentice. An apprenticeship can take between one and four years to complete depending on the level of apprenticeship, the apprentice’s ability and the industry sector. As a guide, an Intermediate Level 2 apprenticeship usually takes around 12 to 18 months and an advanced Level 3 apprenticeship around 24 months
5) What sort of apprenticeships are available for care staff?
We have a wide-ranging offer following our career pathway.
- Adult Care Worker Level 2
- Lead Adult Care Worker Level 3
- Lead Practitioner in Adult Care Level 4
- Leader in Adult Care Level 5
- Chartered Manager Degree Level 6 (BSC Hons in Health & Care Management)
6) What sort of apprenticeships are available for non-care staff?
We have a very large offering for our non-care staff that is relevant to the function you work within. To provide a few examples of the apprenticeships on offer see below:
- Team Leader Supervisor Level 3 (CMI/ILM)
- Operations Departmental Manager Level 5 (CMI/ILM)
- Business Admin Level 3
- CIPD Level 3 & 5
- AAT Level 2 & 3
- ACCA / CIMA Level 7
- Associate Project Manager Level 4
- IT Solutions Technician Level 3
7) How is my apprenticeship assessed?
End-point assessment (EPA) is the final stage of an apprenticeship. It is an impartial assessment of whether you have developed the skills, knowledge and behaviours outlined in the apprenticeship standard.
Assessments are designed by employers in the sector and are conducted by independent bodies known as end-point assessment organisations (EPAOs).
As well as successfully completing the EPA, you may need to complete several additional requirements before completion. This might include mandatory English and maths qualifications. Once all elements of the apprenticeship are completed, you will receive the apprenticeship certificate.
8) How will I be supported throughout my apprenticeship?
Managers that have people who enrol onto this programme will play an important part in their development. Managers will have access to the reports and portal’s where they can keep up to date with the progress of their learners who are on the programme. As a minimum, managers will be asked to complete checklists that log activities their learner has completed in the workplace and the extent to which they are competent in these activities. These checklists will be supported by the trainer and can be easily recorded on the Employer Portal.
9) Will I be given time off work to study for my apprenticeship?
Where it is a requirement for a learner to have a professional qualification to perform his/her job role, the company may support study, and allow appropriate time for exam preparation, balanced with workload. Eligibility for study support will be decided upon whether the qualification is essential to the job role. This is primarily relevant to professional roles e.g., surveying, finance, legal, HR and IT. This will be agreed between the learner and their line manager, depending on the apprenticeship they will undergo. This will be shown on the labour model under training hours.
10) What are the benefits of doing an apprenticeship?
During an apprenticeship programme they will be working towards a nationally recognised apprenticeship standard. This is accredited by relevant industry regulatory bodies and will help further their understanding in the chosen career. Depending on the type of programme an apprentice enrols onto they may also have the chance to work towards QCF accredited diplomas and qualifications in Maths and English.
All-in-all, apprenticeships are a fantastic alternative route to progressing your career. City & County offers a whole host of apprenticeship programs for existing staff.
Interested in joining City & County? Visit cch.careers for more information about our current vacancies and training programs.
