This blog is designed to keep you up-to-date with Careers Education, Information and Guidance (CEIAG) available locally, nationally and through the school. I’ll be posting information about employment and training opportunities available locally as well as details of open days and useful websites. The world of education, employment and training opportunities is changing rapidly so keep checking in for the latest information.

Mr Cross


Thursday 31 December 2015

Apprenticeships in Hertfordshire

Here is an update (provided by Youth Connexions) of Apprenticeships within Hertfordshire in December 2015: 

Apprenticeship vacancies:

  • 236 Employers offering 312 opportunities
  • 81% Intermediate Level
  • 19% Advanced Level
Wages: 
  • Average wage £154 per week
  • Approx. 94% paying above the National Minimum Wage (NMW)
  • Wage ranges from NMW (£3.30 per hour) up to £350 p/wk.
  • Highest paying: £350 (AA Retail Agency Department Apprentice with Collins Grice Long Ltd in Baldock)
Most Popular Sectors: 
  • Business, administration and law (38% of vacancies) 
  • Retail and commercial enterprise (28% of vacancies)

How to "ace" your next interview ...


The Government's 'Vision for Apprenticeships in 2020'

On 7th December the government published it’s Apprenticeship Vision for 2020 and how they plan to achieve the 3 million Apprenticeships over the next five years, including forcing large public sector bodies to employ apprentices – and make sure that they make up at least 2.3% of their workforce – creating an extra 200,000 apprentices by 2020.

The report promotes the “employer-led” approach and introduces a new independent “Institute for Apprenticeships”, made up of employers, business leaders and their representatives who will regulate the quality of Apprenticeships.

The report further clarifies English and Maths qualification requirements within Apprenticeships levels: “We must ensure apprentices have the literacy and numeracy skills they need for employment…That is why all apprenticeships include English and Maths at their heart, through a choice of GCSE or Functional Skills qualifications depending on what is most appropriate for the apprentice and their programme, if these are not already achieved:
  • Level 2 apprentices are required to achieve Level 1 in English and Maths to complete their apprenticeship and then must work towards Level 2;
  • All Level 3 and 4 apprentices must achieve Level 2 in English and Maths prior to taking their end-point assessment.”