by: Lucylui - 24-01-13 16:48
Have been looking at taking an apprentice recently as our numbers are going through the roof and I am unable to get any office time (at all!)
Was wondering if anybody had any experience of an apprentice and how did it work for you? Was it more help then hinderance or vice versa.
Where do people stand on the apprenticeship schemes?
thanks
by: Childcare Tutor
Hi.
I am an assessor/tutor of apprentices and they can work really well for your company providing that you and your staff are willing to put the time into training the young person and help them to gain valuable experience. The benefit of having an apprentice is that you can select them and see them progress. There are some negative sides to apprentices especially if you get a young person who lacks confidence and has come straight out of school but with a bit of nurturing they soon pick up the routine.
Apprentices have a lot of coursework to complete and they will need support from their employer but again if you have a good relationship with the course provider they will let you know what you may need to support the student with.
Hope this helps :-)
by: Katfb93
I've not long completed my level 2 as part of an apprenticeship and I've now got my first job as an practitioner.
i loved my job as an apprenticeship - getting hands on experience. I can safely say an apprenticeship is a better route than college. I went to college and I had hardly any time to put what I've learnt into practice, but that was completely different with an apprenticeship.
Not only is an apprentice a student, there a member of staff. We get the experience of everything. I couldn't wait to finish my level 2, and really enjoyed it, and to get my first job. I feel so confident about the skills and knowledge I picked up through my apprenticeship, and I'm currently studying for my Level 3 whilst working full time. Doing an apprenticeship has given me the motivation to carry on with qualifications and I'm hoping to eventually do a degree in early years and get my EYPS - which I don't think I would do if I stayed at college.
Hope this helps:)
by: Lucylui
Hi, thanks both for your responses. I think it is the best route for us, I want someone who is keen and eager, and I think that doing the apprenticeship provides you with a real sense of the job as your already doing it.
I will definitely look into it more seriously, thanks again
by: Haysworld
Apprenticeships are a brilliant way of helping new staff get confident i the workpalce. Just be wary if you were planning to use them in ratios. (EYFS 3.0)
by: Lucylui
Well this is it, they would be used in ratio, if after 6 months they were deemed suitable. We wouldn't be getting anyone under the age of 18. If I can't use them in ratio I'm not sure it would be worth the extra hassle. We already have 3 wonderful students who are very capable, and could be counted in ratio but don't feel happy doing it as we don't employ them, just doesn't feel right giving them that responsibility. Not sure if that makes sense
RE: RE: Apprenticeships- are they worth it? - 01-03-13 17:22by: Kate
What kind of pay did/would you offer apprentices? I know someone who was offered £2.50 per hour as they are not subject to the national minimum wage - is that right?
by: Elle
I know of apprentices starting on extremely low wages of £2.50, I don't think it's right really. I understand that they are training, but they are counted in the ratio which means that they have to take the responsibilities of a member of staff (like Lucylui said, really), so then they are a member of staff and should be paid respectfully, like the other members of staff.I had been offered an apprentiship on the same wage when I finished 6th form, I declined it, got a job as an unqualidied nursery nurse for above minimum wage then progressed to university instead, but kept my job as part-time.