4 February 2020

National Apprenticeship Week 2020: Pathways explained for GCSE students

Local training provider Skills Training UK is encouraging school leavers to explore traineeships as a stepping stone into apprenticeships, employment or further education as part of National Apprenticeship Week (3-9 February).

Traineeships are practical, work-based programmes to help young people aged 16-24 achieve the vocational qualifications, work experience and skills they need to progress.

At Skills Training UK’s training centres in West London, Brighton and the West Midlands, traineeship programmes are offered with a range of local employer partners in a variety of sectors such as customer service, business administration, hospitality, and warehousing. Skills Training UK tutors provide careers advice and support young people to gain employability skills such as CV writing and interview techniques, whilst also improving their English and maths.

GCSE students and their parents/carers are invited to drop into Skills Training UK’s centres during National Apprenticeship Week where tutors will be on hand to provide tours, introduce current learners and staff, and provide careers advice and more information about the provider’s traineeships and other free courses available for young people.

Graham Clarke, Director of Education and Social Mobility at Skills Training UK, said: “National Apprenticeship Week provides the perfect opportunity for schools, parents/carers and communities to highlight the extraordinary value of traineeships and apprenticeships which offer a lifeline to hundreds of young people in every year, including those facing disadvantages or challenges, who aren’t quite ready for post-GCSE employment.

“Traineeships help plug local skills shortages and boost the local economy whilst providing an opportunity for young people to discover their career interests, meet local employers, learn practical skills and improve their confidence so that they’re ready to take the next step.”

National Apprenticeship Week 2020 is co-ordinated by the National Apprenticeship Service as a celebration of apprenticeships and the positive impact they have on individuals, businesses and the wider economy.

Find out more about our traineeships and enrol here.

Case Study – West London

Speaking at a recent Skills Training UK celebration event, Aubrey Henry (below, left), Supplier Skills Manager at Transport for London (TfL), an employer partner with Skills Training UK, praised their four-week pre-employment programmes which encourage under-represented groups into a variety of roles within their supply chain.

Aubrey said: “We have a fantastic relationship with Skills Training UK. We’ve employed several of their learners in recent years and they’ve all progressed very quickly and successfully in their roles. I’ve visited them personally and they’re all very ecstatic about their future careers.”

Case Study – Brighton

Callum Evans (below), 20, of Brighton, has turned his life around after completing a Hospitality Traineeship with Skills Training UK in his home town. Callum, who also achieved qualifications in English and maths, was offered a full-time position as a Catering Assistant at Mill View Hospital in Hove following a work placement.

Callum said: “I never thought I’d end up working in the NHS but it’s been so rewarding. I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for Skills Training UK and I’m incredibly thankful for the skills I learned during my traineeship and for the tutors who helped build my communication skills.”

Craig Mooney, Facilities Manager at Mill View Hospital, said: “Callum was keen and showed potential straight away. He was quickly adopted as ‘the lovely, polite new boy’. I have recommended Skills Training UK to my colleagues to help with recruitment across our hospital, and I am looking forward to running the work experience placement scheme again.”

Case Study – West Midlands

Matt Small (below) from Dudley has achieved his dream of working the NHS at Russells Hall Hospital in the town after achieving industry-recognised qualifications through a Skills Training UK Traineeship programme. The 20-year-old left college uncertain of his future but developed the confidence, skills and qualifications he needed to progress into employment at Skills Training UK’s Dudley Centre.

Matt said: “I found the whole experience life-changing. I struggled to talk to people but now I have a lot more confidence and feel like I can talk to anyone. All the tutors were brilliant and supportive, and really helped me whenever I needed them, I can’t thank them enough.”