An Apprenticeship board !

[TeenAndTween]

Just what I need. is this new?

[TeenAndTween]

So, my DD1, 18, is about to start a Level 3 Early Years Educator.

[TotallyEclipsed]

It must be new, never used to be here. I wonder how much use it will get? My apprentice DC has almost finished, so rather late for me unfortunately.

[TotallyEclipsed]

I hope it works well for her. My dd did engineering and it suited her well.

[TeenAndTween]

Totally
Any tips generally on apprenticeships? I don't know what I don't know iyswim so I don't know what to ask.

Apparently she should be spending 20% of the time on off the job training - is that right? She isn't doing a day release so it will be interesting to see how that works.

She has just completed a level3 Diploma so has an understanding on how assignments work in a college setting, but again, not sure what will be different in a work place setting.

[TotallyEclipsed]

20% study is about typical I reckon, but there can be a lot of variation. At the start dd's was 100% but later scaled right back to almost nothing by the end. It mostly depends what qualifications they are studying for I think: NVQs seem to be done more on the job (assessing actual skills) with some homework needed to fill out question sheets and things of that ilk, whereas the BTECs seem to need some external teaching and then a lot of homework reading and completing assignments. Probably the main difference with the work setting is that work takes priority, so if something important comes up at work they are expected to drop all studying (regardless of any deadlines). That meant keeping on top of assessments and not leaving them to the last minute was doubly important. It is hard studying for a qualification and working too, dd's relief at handing in the final assignments was palpable.

[TeenAndTween]

Thank you. I've learned something already as I hadn't realised there was any real difference between BTEC and NVQ.

[TotallyEclipsed]

Dd did both on her apprenticeship, so I can ask what she thought the main differences were if you like. What I put before is just my impression, but as they get older you get less and less actual insight as to what is really going on, so it may be inaccurate.
It's quite possibly just the age (but I think the reality of a job and balancing work and study etc have helped) but she's really grown up over her apprenticeship, much more responsible, organised and less feckless now than when she left school.

[insancerre]

I'm a nursery manager and I have an apprentice doing a level 2 early years educator
He has to do the same as my other employees and is expected to complete his studies in his own time
He has key children and is doing planning and assessments
I give him key children because it's the best way to learn. He is paired up with another qualified staff member to oversee his work
He is on a 12 month contract in which he has to complete his level 2
I'm hoping to sign him up for his level 3 afterwards and I am hoping to keep him employed at my setting
I also have a level 6 early yeas teacher who did her qualification in a year and was unqualified in childcare. She had never worked on a nursery before
ive had experience of newly qualified students straight out of college and I don't think they have the same level of knowledge as an apprentice
Mostly because on placements they don't get to do real nursery work, they you don't have key children, they don't speak to parents and they don't normally do nappies
I think it's a great way of getting real experience

[TeenAndTween]

insancerre Thank you, that is really interesting insight.

DD will be starting age 18 having had quite enough of college in the last 2 years - not a great experience for her. She is looking forward to being hands on and to earning some money! I'm a bit concerned re workload outside of work, but I'm hoping that if she is learning and motivated whilst working then the assignments will be more manageable.

[Mehfruittea]

Is it usual for the apprenticeship work to be done in your own time? I have an apprentice at work who is really hard work to manage. I try to give 2 hours per week but we don't always due to work volume. She's very vocal about not being supported etc when I feel like I'm bending over backwards at times.

It would be good to get others opinions on expectations.

[insancerre]

Yes, it is absolutely expected that the majority of written work as well as reading and research is done in their own time

[TotallyEclipsed]

I think it depends what the apprenticeship is, how it's structured and what qualifications are being worked towards in what timeframe. In dd's engineering apprenticeship the first 2 years were full time study (except for two months in between the two years) at the end of which they'd completed a number of qualifications, with most of the work done in the daytime, but some needing to be done in their own time at weekends/evenings. The final two years of the apprenticeship were in the workplace with a day off a week (in termtime, except where work demands didn't permit) to attend college for another higher level qualification. The college days weren't enough to complete the assignments etc needed so a fair bit of their own time was needed for this in the evenings/weekends.

[Lonecatwithkitten]

There is so much variation level 2 animal care assistant nearly all of it is in their study is their own time. Level 3 veterinary nursing get one day a week term time at college, 1 hour a week with clinical coach in practice, but all the assignments ( there are a lot) are in their own time.