Access to Apprenticeships
In May 2011 the Government announced a new pathway within the Apprenticeship programme to widen access for young people with the potential to benefit from an Apprenticeship, as part of a range of measures to support young unemployed people.
Access to Apprenticeships will provide help and support for young people aged 16-24 who need that little extra boost in moving into employment as an apprentice. It is recognised that there are young people who have all the ambition and passion demanded by an Apprenticeship but who need an opportunity to demonstrate to employers their commitment to work and study to the standards required. Access to Apprenticeships will give them this chance.
Every participant will be a prospective apprentice from the start, and we will expect to see everyone progressing into a full Apprenticeship, employed and paid, as quickly as possible within the maximum timescale of 6 months. However, the expectation is that for many it may approximately take 3 months, depending on their individual circumstances.
There may be some cases where people move direct into an Advanced Level Apprenticeship from Access to Apprenticeships. Access to Apprenticeships will not be a 'soft' option, for participants, learning providers or employers, but will give young people the ability to secure the right Apprenticeship that then sets them on their career of choice.
Access to Apprenticeships will provide up to 10,000 places in the first year with a similar amount in following years. It will be funded from existing Apprenticeship budgets and it will start in August 2011.
Eligibility
In order to be eligible for Access to Apprenticeships the individual must be;
- Aged 16 years or more but not 25 years or greater on the day they start, and
- Be assessed and able to fully participate in an Intermediate Level or Advanced Level Apprenticeship, and
- Either,
i. Be defined as Not in Education, Employment or Training (NEET) for the whole of the preceding 13 weeks or more prior to start date, and/or
ii. Assessed and eligible for Additional Learning Support (Additional Learning Needs (ALN), Additional Social Needs (ASN) or both).
Delivery
A participant on Access to Apprenticeships will not be categorised or counted as an ‘apprentice’ but they will work towards the elements of an Apprenticeship framework for up to a maximum of 6 months before moving to a full Apprenticeship with a contract of employment.
The majority of the time will be spent in the workplace, where young people can prove their employability and aptitude to prospective employers. It is known that practical ‘hands-on’ learning works best to unlock potential and motivation, and this model will help more young people develop and demonstrate the skills and knowledge employers look for in apprentices and valued members of staff. The number of hours spent on Access to Apprenticeship will be the same as those on a full Apprenticeship (30 hours a week or more).
Some or all of the elements of the Apprenticeship framework can be started during the time spent on Access to Apprenticeship. However, participants will not be able to fully achieve the competence and or knowledge element during this time, as they will be required to achieve these elements of the programme whilst in a full Apprenticeship and working under a contract of employment. They will however be able to achieve the Key/Functional Skills or GCSE requirement.
Funding
There is no new money to deliver Access to Apprenticeships. The budgets allocated to Apprenticeship providers will be utilised to deliver the pathway. Therefore Access to Apprenticeships is open to any existing provider delivering the Apprenticeship programme.
Operational Delivery
Further operational delivery information on how providers will be able to deliver this pathway and record participants onto the Individualised Learner Record (ILR) are outlined in the Apprenticeship Funding Requirements 2011/12 and the technical ILR reporting document below.
View/download the Access to Apprenticeships ILR reporting technical document (PDF) »
View/download the Q&As document regarding Access to Apprenticeships (PDF) »
If you have any questions about the Access to Apprenticeship pathway please email accesstoapprenticeships@apprenticeships.gov.uk
Last Updated: 15/05/2012