Frequently Asked Questions

What are Modern Apprenticeships?

Modern Apprenticeships offer those aged over 16 paid employment combined with the opportunity to train for jobs at craft, technician and management level. They are an exciting way of gaining skills and qualifications that will help to start a career without having to study full-time, and are available now across a wide range of industries.

The Modern Apprenticeship in Youth Work framework was developed by the sector and therefore encompasses all the skills you require to gain a basic level qualification in youth work. Modern Apprenticeship frameworks can also be used as the basis for training of more mature employees.

Who are they for?

The Modern Apprenticeship in Youth Work is aimed at those from 16+ years and capable of achieving a Scottish Vocational Qualification in Youth Work at Level 3 (SVQ3).

How can I become an apprentice?

If you think a Modern Apprenticeship in Youth Work could be the right choice for you, speak to your Careers Adviser or Guidance Teacher or contact your local Careers Scotland centre for details (call 0845 8 502 502). You will be able to discuss all the options and find out what you can achieve through Modern Apprenticeship training. Alternatively ask your employer if he or she is interested in running Modern Apprenticeships.

What do they offer the apprentice?

As a Modern Apprentice you will be employed from the very start of your training and receive a wage from your employer. You will then be given the chance to develop expertise and knowledge through on-the-job assessment as well as gaining vital skills such as team work and problem solving. Many Modern Apprentices also attend colleges or training sessions to study the theory relating to youth work. To make sure the combination of theory and practice is right for you a Training Agreement will be drawn up that is unique to you. Through your Training Agreement, you, your employer and Local Enterprise Company (LEC) are all committed to your development. With the right combination of theory and practice your career will be on track and you will gain a nationally recognised, high level qualification - an SVQ3 in Youth Work.

What does it offer the employer?

Every employer wants to know they are recruiting highly capable, motivated people, and with the Modern Apprenticeship framework, there's the added benefit of high quality training to industry-recognised standards. The framework offers training that is as broad as it is flexible, meaning that not only are your employees learning skills that are important to the whole sector, but the actual training programme is adaptable enough to suit your organisations specific requirements. Last but not least, you may receive financial support for your Modern Apprentices from your local enterprise company.

How do organisations get involved?

If you'd like to recruit a Modern Apprentice - or offer a Modern Apprenticeship to existing staff, contact your local enterprise company: Scottish Enterprise Local Enterprise Companies or Highlands & Islands Enterprise Local Enterprise Companies.

Who pays for all this?

Modern Apprenticeships can be funded by local enterprise companies. Funding is agreed locally with each employer and, although they will contribute to the cost of training, employers will have to meet wage costs and contribute to some training costs.

What will the training consist of - and what qualifications will be available?

Although each Modern Apprenticeship framework is specific to a particular industry or sector, they are all made up of three parts:

• SVQ Level 3 Youth Work: The occupational SVQ's for the sector at Level 3 are the core of every framework.
• Core Skills: Everyone, regardless of the job they are doing, needs certain skills which help them to become a more flexible employee, able to adapt to constantly changing work situations. These skills are known as Core Skills and are:
• Communication
• Working With Others
• Numeracy
• Information Technology
• Problem Solving
• Additional Components: To encourage employees development and broaden training the Modern Apprenticeship in Youth Work also contains additional components (see the full framework document for more detail)

What's in it for my business?

As an employer, the benefits of Modern Apprenticeships are many and varied. As well as creating a more responsive, motivated workforce through broader, transferable skills and self-learning, you may also reduce your staff turnover by the implementation of career progression plans. National standards and qualifications will also serve to increase the quality of youth offered, while hands-on training and development will impact favourably on the capacity and capabilities of your staff team.

For further information about the Modern Apprenticeship check out the Scottish Enterprise Website www.scottish-enterprise.com .

For further information about the offering or undertaking the SVQ3 in Youth Work check out the Scottish Qualification Authority Website www.sqa.org.uk