City & Guilds advisors and tutors answer questions about diplomas and certification,vocational training,and the process of doing apprenticeships. The questions cover a range of subjects important to those considering studying or developing their skills with C&G .
1)I'm 18 and have been in full time employment since I was 17, am I eligible to apply for an apprenticeship?
City & Guilds Advisor:
Yes – people can apply for an apprenticeship whatever age or stage they’re at in their career. Some apprenticeships will require you to have certain qualifications already, and some will require previous work experience. However it completely depends on the industry you want to get into and the specific apprenticeship programme. If you want to take a look at apprenticeship vacancies, you can visit the National Apprenticeship Service’s website – www.apprenticeships.org.
2)Hi as the subject line states I am 47 years old, unemployed and I want to train and change career. Does anyone or any organisation retrained people of my age? I am currently doing my Numeracy, Literacy & ITC skills. I then want to do my PTTLS & assessors courses.
Tony Forster, Lead Portfolio Manager, City & Guilds:
Yes, there are many organisations where you can retrain, and the Preparing to Teach in the Lifelong Sector qualification is also very appropriate for your current situation.
To identify your nearest centre, take a look at the City & Guilds website (www.cityandguilds.com) where you can search for your nearest FE College or Private Training Provider offering the necessary qualification.
3)I’m interested in doing a plumbing apprenticeship. I am currently in a part time job, tillChristmas, but I feel I have to push myself for a better futuresocially andfinanciallyas well- please can I have some advice on the best way to get into this sector.
Chris Bailey, Portfolio Manager, City & Guilds:
As you may be aware, an apprenticeship requires you to be employed, as most of the necessary training takes place in the workplace. If you can gain employment as an apprentice plumber, your employer will train you on the job and then one of their assessors will assess your for the Level 2/3 Diplomas in Plumbing.You will then need to undertake the functional skills components in English, maths and ICT order to complete the apprenticeship.
If however you cannot find employment as a trainee plumber, you can still go to college to undertake City & Guilds’ new Level 2 or 3 Diploma in Plumbing.This qualification covers the practical skills and knowledge you need for this sector. Once you have completed this, you’ll be in a strong position to try and gain employment as a plumber, and you can use your success in your Diploma as evidence if you do still want to embark on an apprenticeship.
4)I have done my GCSE’s but do not know what to do next - who can provide me with the best advice and guidance on this?
Nadine Leighton, Learner Engagement Manager:
There are a number of places you can turn for advice. Firstly, there’s the government’s National Careers Service, which has information on a variety of different career paths for you to consider. Alternatively, if you’re still in school or at college, have you tried speaking to your teachers about your different options? Or, if you want to find out more about some of the different sectors you could go into, visit www.cityandguilds.com or www.hellofuture.org.uk - here there is information on a variety of vocational qualifications and apprenticeships, as well as real-life stories and experiences of those who have already gone down certain career routes.
5) My dream is to become an accountant but I cannot afford the university fees. Is there an alternative way for me to succeed in this sector?
Ken Gaines, Portfolio Manager, City & Guilds:
University is certainly not the only way to embark on an accountancy career. There are apprenticeships that would allow you to start from a low base of knowledge of accountancy and develop your knowledge and skills as you work. Following a Level 3 qualification, you could progress to take professional certifications with organisations such as the Institute of Financial Accounts (IFA) that can lead to programmes to gain charted status with the Institute of Chartered Accountants of England and Wales (ICAEW) or its equivalent in Scotland.
6) What are the advantages of becoming an apprentice over going to university?
Stefan Harris, City & Guilds apprentice:
There are a number of advantages to becoming an apprentice instead of going to university. Perhaps the most obvious one is the cost – as you undoubtedly know, tuition fees have increased to up to £9000 a year. In contrast, as an apprentice, you would be learning whilst earning, so you would receive a wage. In addition, apprenticeships prepare you with the necessary competence and knowledge-based qualifications you need for your chosen career, as well as developing your core skills (such as literacy and numeracy). This means that you have an automatic advantage in that you already know the industry and have the necessary experience that employers are looking for, rather than having to retrain. At the end of your apprenticeship, you may well be kept on by your employers, but if not you’ll be well-equipped to move on to another position. In contrast, some degree courses don’t necessarily prepare people for the working world, and many graduates find they have to undertake additional qualifications or work experience.
7) Are vocational routes available in all sectors?
Alex Glover, Partnership Manager, City & Guilds:
Vocational qualifications are available in a broad range of sectors – from accountancy to animal care; plumbing to photography. There will always be some career paths where you will need to take the more academic route – becoming a doctor is a good example of that. However, more and more career paths are increasingly becoming accessible through vocational learning. For example, an apprenticeship was recently launched in Public Relations – traditionally a career that had to be accessed through the degree route.
There is also now the option to take the vocational path in new, upcoming industries. For example, City & Guilds recently launched a social media apprenticeship.
8) I am 26 years old, am I still able to do a vocational learning route? Please help.
City & Guilds Advisor:
Yes, there are no age restrictions to doing a vocational qualification – they can be taken at any age, and at any stage in your career. However it’s worth keeping in mind that from April next year, certain qualifications at Level 3 will not receive funding, and people will be expected to apply for a loan to cover the costs of training.
9) Please can I have some more information on what apprenticeship levels are equivalent to as this would aid my decision of whether to take an apprenticeship or go to college.
City & Guilds Advisor:
There are different levels of apprenticeships, which are broadly comparable to different stages of academic education:
· A Level 2 apprenticeship – comparable to GCSEs
· Advanced apprenticeship at Level 3 - A-levels
· A higher level apprenticeship (Level 4+) - a foundation degree.
If you want more information on this, visit the National Apprenticeship Services’ website: www.apprenticeships.org.uk
10) How recognised by employers are alternative routes to university as this is something that worries me?
Russell Pocock, Head of Learner Engagement, City & Guilds:
Alternatives to university are very much valued and recognised by employers. In fact, some recent City & Guilds research showed that 52% of employers who already recruit apprentices believe that they offer greater value than hiring a university graduate. Meanwhile other research has shown that 90% of employers see vocationally trained staff as vital to the success of their business.
Some jobs often require a certain level of vocational skills – for example if you want to be an electrician or a plumber, you need to have the right qualifications to get into the industry. Although degrees are still very valuable, employers undoubtedly recognise both routes.
11) I have recently graduated from university but am unable to find work. Can I apply for an apprenticeship?
City & Guilds Advisor:
Yes you can – apprenticeships are open to everyone, no matter what age or stage you’re at in your career. To see what vacancies are available, visiting the National Apprenticeship Service’s website – www.apprenticeships.org.uk.
12) What career options are available to me once I have completed a vocational training course?
City & Guilds Advisor:
It will depend on what vocational training course you have taken – if you’ve taken a very specific trade-related qualification, then you would be well-qualified to move on to additional training or into employment. Some vocational qualifications are a bit broader, which would give you a good grounding in that field for a number of different career paths. Business Administration is a good example of this; the skills you learn would be valuable for a variety of different office-based environments.
13) Do I have to fund vocational learning myself or is it funded by the government?
Paul Archer, Funding Expert, City & Guilds:
Whether you receive funding or not depends on a number of factors. Firstly, your age is taken into account – if you’re 23 and under, you receive funding for your qualification. If you are over 24, you should bear in mind that from April next year, a number of vocational qualifications at Level 3 and above will no longer be funded by the government.
Secondly financial support will depend on what qualifications you’ve already attained – you’re entitled to funding up until your first Level 2 qualification. Finally, your employment status can also impact on whether you receive funding; entitlement exists to enable those who are unemployed to funded training. However if you’re over 23, this will depend on the qualification you choose to take.
14) During an apprenticeship how much time is spent in the workplace?
City & Guilds Advisor:
As an apprentice, you’ll learn most of the key work-related skills you need in the workplace. Roughly 30 hours a week will be spent here, although this may vary depending on your circumstances. NAS has a section on its website providing information on how apprenticeships are structured.
15) I have previously studied BTEC Travel and Tourismlevel 2 at college and I am very interested in finding an apprenticeship within the Derbyshire andYorkshire area. Within the fields of Travel services, Customer service and Business Admin. I waswonderingwhat the best route is for me to find out this information?
Tony Sharp, Lead Portfolio Manager, City & Guilds / Geraldine Donworth, Portfolio Advisor, City & Guilds:
As you already have a Level 2 qualification then you should be looking for an Advanced Apprenticeship at Level 3. The areas you are looking at have a very extensive set of potential pathways. As a starting point you should look at the actual framework documents (try visiting Apprenticeship Frameworks Online http://www.afo.sscalliance.org/) and search for current frameworks - these will tell you exactly what jobs are covered and also what qualifications are part of the apprenticeship.
You should also visit the National Apprenticeship Service’s website (www.apprenticeships.org.uk) and see what apprenticeships employers are offering in your region.
16) I am very interested in doing a teaching apprenticeship, but I am unsure of which qualifications I need to be able to the apprenticeship. Also I would like to know what funding is available for me as I am 23 years old.
Tony Forster, Lead Portfolio Manager, City & Guilds:
Unfortunately there currently isn’t a teaching apprenticeship available. However, this academic year there is some funding for Preparing to Teach in the Lifelong Sector (PTTLS) qualifications.
To identify your nearest centre that offers these qualifications, take a look at the City & Guilds website (www.cityandguilds.com) where you can search for your nearest FE College or Private Training Provider offering the necessary qualification.
17) I want to be electric technician, soldering operator or electrician but I can't find a job without UK certificate or experience. I possess a Hungarian certificate of Industrial Electric Technician and now I would like to improve my knowledge. Please let me know which course is good for me or what is available?
Chris Bailey, Portfolio Manager, City & Guilds:
If you want to gain a job as an electrician or electrical technician and you already possess the practical skills and knowledge involved in being an electrical technician, then you could take City & Guilds’ new Level 3 Diploma in Electrical Installations. This qualification is college-based and covers the practical skills and knowledge involved in working as an electrician on a variety of domestic and industrial environments.It would also give you a qualification that is recognised in the industry.
Employers normally ask for a recognised qualification and knowledge of the UK wiring requirements, so it would also be advisable to take the Certificate in Inspection, Testing and Certification of Electrical Installations. This should set you on your way to getting a job, and then you can always progress onto taking a Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Electro-technical technology; this is taken in the workplace and you will be assessed by an assessor observing your skills.
If you want to gain a position as a soldering operator then you could try approaching the big electrical manufacturers.If you have soldering experience already then they would train you up in their manufacturing processes.
18) I am currently in my first year of university studying English Language with the ultimate aim of becoming a teacher. However in the past couple of weeks, I have been reflecting on my work experience and other experiences that I took part in from 14-18. They all included working with children. So now I've come to the decision that I still would love to be a teacher but I think I would rather work with children in say a nursery or even early years primary school. The reason I am contacting you is because I am also wondering if University life is for me, I can't say I've enjoyed my time here. I enjoy the course but that is because I'm doing the course and I could live without it, if that makes sense. What I'm really trying to say is that I think I'd prefer to jump straight into a paid job now rather than have to wait 3/4 years and then not have a guaranteed job at the end of it. I was wondering if you would be able to give me some real advice on nursery work apprenticeships or childcare apprenticeships.
Tony Sharp, Lead Portfolio Manager, City & Guilds / Geraldine Donworth, Portfolio Advisor, City & Guilds:
Thanks for your question – this is a great occupation offering lots of different work opportunities. There are apprenticeships available at Level 3 that would be suitable for you. These cover working in Early Years settings (e.g. Nurseries) through to working with children and young people up to the age 18, and perhaps those in group or residential settings. There is certainly lots of scope for progression to become an Early Years professional after this through additional qualifications in Higher Education. This could then lead onto a range of other occupations, such as Social Work and Teaching. However, if you’re more interested in progressing within childcare, there’s the option to move on to management vocational qualifications at Level 5; these will qualify you to work as a manager or advanced practitioner.
Whatever route you choose to take, the right qualifications are a necessity to work with children, so you can understand key aspects such as child development, communication, safeguarding and so on. In particular, following the recent Nutbrown report, there is increased emphasis on the need for early years workers to have a recognised qualification in childcare, as well as strong maths and English skills, and the ability to deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage, so that young people get the best start in their education and development.
Just some of the qualifications that could be relevant to you include:
- Level 3 Diploma for the Children and Young People's Workforce: Early Learning and Childcare Pathway (England)
- Level 3 Diploma for the Children and Young People's Workforce: Social Care Pathway (England)
- Level 3 Diploma for the Children and Young People's Workforce: Learning and Development Support Services (LDSS) Pathway (England)
- Advanced Apprenticeship in Children and Young People's Workforce: Early Learning and Childcare Pathway
- Advanced Apprenticeship in Children and Young People's Workforce: Social Care Pathway
You can visit the City & Guilds website for more information on these: http://www.cityandguilds.com/Courses-and-Qualifications
There are some differences in the names of qualifications for Wales and Northern Ireland specifically, but there are apprenticeships and qualifications at these levels and in the same areas of working with children.
19) Do I have to find my own employer before I can do an apprenticeship?
City & Guilds Advisor:
To do an apprenticeship, you have to be employed as most of the training takes place on the job, and it is the responsibility of the employer to train you. The rest of the training is taken in a local college or through a private training provider.
You can find employment through the National Apprenticeship Service, where they have a vacancy-matching facility on their website: (www.apprenticeships.org)
Alternatively, your local FE College or private training provider may have partnerships with local employers. If you speak to them about wanting to take an apprenticeship and then apply through them, they’ll be able to arrange the employment side of things.
