This is not an apprenticeship!

[shepherdshigh]

My local newsagent is advertising for a 'retail Apprentice'; a placement that will be facilitated by a large national training provider, through a government contract.

A brief chat with the proprieter told me that the successful candidate will - as their 'apprenticeship' - receive training in managing cash, handling food and other retail skills. So, basic employee training then. They will also get a 'retail qualification'. There's no job at the end of it.

This is bullshit, right? It makes a mockery of actual apprenticeships and genuine trades. This is a cynical exploitation of young people with no options; a massaging of employment figures - a young person is going to work for several months on less than minimum wage.

Fuming.

I agree but these it'll happen more now that people have to be in education until 18

I'd also note that many retail places offer Level 2,3 and 4 level courses in 'customer service', to normal employees, paid at full wages, so they may be better to look into.

Retail apprenticeships are real apprenticeships, not a mockery, though some may be much better than others. John Lewis offer them, for example, and they're sought after. Whether or not you think they're worth having, as opposed to an apprenticeship in plumbing, for example, is another thing. The retail chain Next suspended theirs a while ago (I don't know if they've started up again) after damning reports from Ofsted. No apprenticeship guarantees a job at the end of it.

There is a requirement for 16-18 year olds to be in full time education or an apprenticeship. I believe these types of apprenticeships are meant for kids in that age group who are not suited to some form of academic education post 16.