Post 16 options. No employers for apprenticeships

MydogWillow · 2021-05-20T13:38:22+00:00

Hi. Not been on here for ages but would really like to pick your brains please. DS 16, Yr 11, last "formal" day next Friday. He is wanting to do an apprenticeship in soft landscaping/maintenance. We started looking for an employer early in February and found someone local who was very keen, had a meeting and they have been in contact with the college so assumed that it was a go-er. However as time has passed, it looks like we have been let down by them as they have stopped communicating with the college and us also. However, they are exceptionally busy atm so we are trying to keep positive but time is ticking. We are now looking at Plan B incase they definitely pull out but have found very few employers locally are wanting to take on apprentices. It would seem this industry is so busy that employers --can't be arsed-- don't want to commit to training an apprentice particularly in the current climate. We are rarely getting responses at all, which I understand isn't unusual in that industry. Travelling further afield is only as good as public transport allows (not reliable for early starts or late finishes associated with this work) or for cycling/moped. While DS has enjoyed school he isn't naturally academic and so 6th form or college isn't for him. So my question is: If he finds somewhere suitable and they want to employ him but not through an apprenticeship, that will effectively mean he's NEET? And what are the implications of that? We really hope the original employer comes through but my spidey senses are saying otherwise. We really thought we were sorted nice and early so this has taken us by surprise and are now --panicking-- looking for other options. TIA and thank you for reading.

Original poster

MydogWillow · 22/05/2021 12:23

Thanks for all your suggestions.

Good news, after feeling so despondent earlier in the week about non-responses from local firms, DS had a telephone interview yesterday afternoon for a local apprenticeship/job he applied for a couple of weeks ago (they'd only just around to looking at the applications even though they said if you don't hear back by the 13th, you're application won't be going any further). He's was successful on that and has been added to the short-list for potential interview! We'll know next week. This is his ideal job on an 80 acre site (10 minute cycle ride too) and one he would most like.

He also had a call back yesterday from our local manor house (also apprenticeship and a 15 minute cycle ride) and the owner wants to see him this afternoon :-)

These many not come to anything of course, but we are feeling a lot more positive.

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Original poster

MydogWillow · 21/05/2021 10:11

Many thanks. That's really good advice.

DS keeps saying he really just wants to crack on and so we might make enquiries on that basis. He wanted to start with a few days a week over the summer with the potential employer before starting his apprenticeship to see if he/they liked it, so we may now flip our new enquiries on it's head and ask for a junior role, but without the emphasis on an apprenticeship straight away.

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Lonecatwithkitten · 20/05/2021 22:55

@MydogWillow Sparsholt is well recognised as an excellent centre for land based courses and has a nurturing ethos. I know a number of young people who have studied and wide range of courses there including one young man who failed the thrive in a wide variety of other academic settings flying once he reached Sparsholt.

Essentialgarage · 20/05/2021 19:55

@Clymene

It might also be worth him contacting some local companies. I know a lot of gardeners landscapers who might not want to do the paperwork for a formal apprenticeship programme but would be happy to take on a junior to learn on the job. It would stand him in good stead for more formal qualifications later and also help him identify which things he's interested in ie if he's more interested in hard landscaping, he could specialise in that rather than doing a general garden HND which is broader

This. I no longer take on an apprentice without them working for me beforehand. Be it as a Saturday kid, holidays or day release etc. Far too many have parents that think an apprenticeship with me is a good idea but the kid doesn't like the reality. My current apprentice came to me at 14 and started by sweeping the floor. Your lad sounds motivated, research a college place but get him to contact companies offering labour, horticultural companies are busy atm so don't have time to think about formal apprenticeship but they do need help with the heavy work it will help him make connections and find out if he likes it.

CMOTDibbler · 20/05/2021 19:46

Some post 16 colleges have residences - Pershore college is a specialist in horticulture and do a level 3 in landscaping, but also arboculture and other stuff, and have their own halls on site

flowerycurtain · 20/05/2021 19:34

@InpatientGardener I will indeed. I'd already contacted local schools but only 1 got back to me with a generic "we'll circulate". I hadn't thought to try LA.

It's in agriculture and the long term career prospects are pretty good. You can be on 30k plus a house by age 30. Admittedly you'll never be a millionaire but if you enjoy a physical role and working outside then it's bloody brilliant.

Sorry to derail the thread op. I'd echo what the poster before me said. Try approaching other local business. There's grants and support available to employers and if someone keen knocks on the door they might do it for them. Good luck to you and your son.

Clymene · 20/05/2021 19:29

It might also be worth him contacting some local companies. I know a lot of gardeners landscapers who might not want to do the paperwork for a formal apprenticeship programme but would be happy to take on a junior to learn on the job. It would stand him in good stead for more formal qualifications later and also help him identify which things he's interested in ie if he's more interested in hard landscaping, he could specialise in that rather than doing a general garden HND which is broader

InpatientGardener · 20/05/2021 19:23

@flowerycurtain contact your local authority and see if they have a post 16 team! They might have the perfect candidate for you that they're supporting. I'm always looking for people like you who want to give young people a chance, even groomed a plumber who came to my house into offering some work experience placements

flowerycurtain · 20/05/2021 19:21

@InpatientGardener that's really interesting. I'm coming at this from the other angle of being an employer offering an apprenticeship. We'd love to target local people that the job could really work for.

LIZS · 20/05/2021 19:16

I don't think that is correct. Is he looking at level 3 nvq courses?

TabbyStar · 20/05/2021 19:01

Thanks Inpatient, she found herself a great apprenticeship, otherwise I might have chased them. I have worked with the County Council employment teams on other things so I know they're doing stuff, I'd forgotten about it tbh until I saw this question!

InpatientGardener · 20/05/2021 18:32

That's a shame @TabbyStar, might be worth reminding them, we work up to 19th birthday or occasionally up to 25 but it can vary between local authorities.

TabbyStar · 20/05/2021 18:26

My DD left sixth form during year 12, worked in hospitality for a bit, then her job disappeared because of Covid. We got a text and an email from the local authority about six months after dropping out asking what she was doing and would she like any support, so I said some support would be great, thank you! And I never heard from them again.... That was seven months ago and now she's 18 so I guess that's that. She found an apprenticeship in the end, but I wouldn't really have worried if she just had a job, especially in a field where academic qualifications aren't as important.

Original poster

MydogWillow · 20/05/2021 18:07

@TeenMinusTests

I am not certain of this but I think 'home educating' doesn't count if you only start after y11.

Agree, I believe the education has to be through a recognised training partner.

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TeenMinusTests · 20/05/2021 18:03

I am not certain of this but I think 'home educating' doesn't count if you only start after y11.

Original poster

MydogWillow · 20/05/2021 17:54

@Cattitudes

Could you 'home educate' him - so get him doing his usual jobs, build it up a little more and so some online modules, teach himself a landscaping program, watch garden rescue etc. Obviously not as fun as being in college and might not lead to a qualification but he would at least have a back up option. I don't think anyone will care but at least the boxes are ticked!

He would love to strike out on his own already as he's pretty motivated but needs to get hands on experience under someone's guidance and some certificates for chainsaw, poisons etc under his belt.

There's no shortage of opportunities out there. Infact he has another business idea he is wanting to pursue but of course this will have to be supplementary.

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Cattitudes · 20/05/2021 17:30

Could you 'home educate' him - so get him doing his usual jobs, build it up a little more and so some online modules, teach himself a landscaping program, watch garden rescue etc. Obviously not as fun as being in college and might not lead to a qualification but he would at least have a back up option. I don't think anyone will care but at least the boxes are ticked!

InpatientGardener · 20/05/2021 17:24

Couldn't agree more oreos and the repercussions of the sanction, loss of CB, tend to mainly impact disadvantaged and/or vulnerable families who need the support to keep their children in ETE. Most local authorities will have some sort of post 16 careers support though so it really is worth taking a look, its rarely advertised in my experience and so most people don't know anything about it until they get a call from the team offering support if its been noticed a young person didn't go on to ETE.

oreosoreosoreos · 20/05/2021 17:18

Technically (legally) he has so be in some form of education (which an apprenticeship would fall under) until he is 18 - but in reality no one seems to care.

I find it odd that the government changed the law around the age you are allowed to leave full time education, but there’s very little in place to actually support it - if you don’t apply, no one is chasing you.

DSS was the same, not academic, but couldn’t find an apprenticeship- he’s ended up doing two years of college, one year of a vocational course and one year of a business course.

The business course is ‘full time’ - which in actuality is 3 sessions a week and very minimal homework, so I wouldn’t discount college courses completely as a back up.

TeenMinusTests · 20/05/2021 17:15

I have no knowledge of the Horticulture course at Sparsholt, but for DD's course she has been told it is 3 days a week including half a day practical each week.

The staff there seem very friendly. I have had to have a couple of quite long chats and they have been informative and caring.

The grounds at Sparsholt are lovely and they are the home of Radio 4's original Potting Shed for Gardeners Question Time.

EversoDelighted · 20/05/2021 17:12

Good luck, my DS is at 6th form, but would like to work in a land based career too, we are starting to explore post-18 options but it isn't straightforward.

Original poster

MydogWillow · 20/05/2021 17:09

Yes, we are in the triangle for Common Leys, Berkshire College and Sparsholt, so Woking is too far unfortunately, but many thanks.

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EversoDelighted · 20/05/2021 17:06

Do you mean Berkshire Agricultural college in Maidenhead?

There's also Merrist Wood College near Woking, specialises in land and animal based courses.

Original poster

MydogWillow · 20/05/2021 16:58

@InpatientGardener

Yes of course, you can do what you want post 16 really, the only thing it changes is your entitlement to child benefit but there aren't any sanctions as such to not staying in some form of education. Its not like when in compulsory education and they might take you to court for non attendance. I know lots of young people who went straight into employment from school and thrived, and there's nothing to say he won't end up getting some on the job qualifications in future. I know some tradesmen are reluctant to take on apprentices because they've tried before and found them more hassle than they're worth, especially if they're young, not turning up, being lazy, that sort of thing. So some work experience and a reference might help him secure something for the following year.

Thank you. That's reassuring to know and a great option if a full time college course doesn't cut the mustard. We've heard of some people going straight into work but didn't know if this was "under the radar"

It's such a shame as he found himself a couple of his own regular customers over lock-down and has experience in handling tools, so he has a genuine interest and his CV is decent for a 16 year old. He ultimately wants to go self-employed so I have no doubt he will do fine :-)

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InpatientGardener · 20/05/2021 16:32

Yes of course, you can do what you want post 16 really, the only thing it changes is your entitlement to child benefit but there aren't any sanctions as such to not staying in some form of education. Its not like when in compulsory education and they might take you to court for non attendance. I know lots of young people who went straight into employment from school and thrived, and there's nothing to say he won't end up getting some on the job qualifications in future. I know some tradesmen are reluctant to take on apprentices because they've tried before and found them more hassle than they're worth, especially if they're young, not turning up, being lazy, that sort of thing. So some work experience and a reference might help him secure something for the following year.