Business Skills Apprenticeships
The Business Skills Apprenticeship covers the following pathways :
Business Administration
Customer Service
Information Technology
We offer this Apprenticeship Programme at two levels
Apprenticeship - this is for peole who are working in routine job roles where decision making and processes are usually defined by others, or for those who have little or no experience in this type of job role and want to develop new skills in the workplace to help them develop further at a later stage. The main NVQ is at Level 2.
Suitable job roles for Apprentices may be
Receptionist
General administrators
Filing clerks
Customer service assistants
Office assistants
Users of basic IT systems
Data Entry
Advanced Apprenticeship - this is for people who are working in more complex job roles, taking responsibility for some decision making, working with and developing processes and procedures, and have a level of autonomy to self-organise. The main NVQ is at Level 3.
Suitable job roles for Advanced Apprentices may be
Secretarial
Personal Assistants
Customer Service Officers
Team Leaders
Office Supervisors
Experienced office staff
Events organisers
The Apprenticeships are made up of a Framework of qualifications designed to enhance the skills and effectiveness of the apprentice in the workplace.
The Apprenticeship Framework is :
1/2 day introduction onto the programme
Technical Certificate course designed to provide the underpinning knowledge to the practical work place requirements. This is delivered by attending day release at LETG for an 8 week period (not applicable for IT Apprentices) and includes a final exam. Topics covered are :
Personal Development
Communication
Organising yourself
Working with Others
Planning work
Health and Safety
Legislation and Employment
The use of IT
Customer relations
Application of Number key skill level 1
Communication key skill level 1
NVQ Level 2 in either Administration, IT or Customer Service (job role dependent)
Employment Rights and Responsibilities project book
The Advanced Apprenticeship framework is :
1/2 day introduction onto the programme
Technical Certifcate designed to provide the underpinning knowledge to the practical work place skills. This is completed via Distance Learning and Assignments for those on a Customer Service or Administration Apprenticeship. Topics covered are :
Responsibilities at Work
Working in a business environment
Innovation and change
Providing Leadership
Work roles
Health and Safety
Personal responsibilities
Developing Productive Working Relationships
For IT Apprenticeships, a short day release programme is required to complete various IT Projects.
Application of Number key skill level 2
Communication key skills level 2
NVQ Level 3 in Administration, Customer Service or IT, dependent on job role.
Employment Rights and Responsibilities project book
Delivery of the Framework
The NVQ is assessed, usually once a month, in the workplace by one of our fully trained assessors. The apprentice should complete work naturally within the course of their work place duties, and this will be counted as evidence towards the learners portfolio.
Much of the evidence can be left in the workplace, without the need of the learner being burdened with extensive paperwork collection.
Our assessors are trained to carry out unobstrusive observations of the learner in the workplace, which is a fast, easy and cost effective way of gathering evidence and the learner demonstrating a range of competencies.
Key skills are achieved by the learner completing a work related project. Wherever possible we actively encourage employers to be involved in this project and support your learner by identifying a worthwhile and meaningful project.
Apprenticeship Time Lengths
Apprentices
For those aged between 16 and 18 years at the start of their apprenticeship a maximum time of 15 months is allowed
For those aged 19+ at the start of their apprenticeship, a maximum time of 13 months is allowed.
Advanced Apprenticeships.
For those aged between 16 and 18 years at the start of their Advanced Apprenticeship a maximum time of 26 months is allowed.
For those aged 19+ at the start of their Advanced Apprenticeship a maximum time of 24 months is allowed. If an Apprenticeship has been completed prior to starting an Advanced Apprenticeship , the length of time will be reduced.
Adult Apprenticeships
On average a time scale of between 9 and 12 months is allowed, dependent on prior experience. This will be discussed with the Business Advisor on initial customer care visits
Additional Support
A range of additional learning support is available for those learners who may need help with improving their literacy or numeracy skills. All learners have to undertake an initial diagnostic test to identify that they are working at, or towards, the level required for the most suitable apprenticeship programme.
For those who have some areas of weakness, additional workbooks or tutorial support classes can be arranged.
Where it is identified that learners may have some pastoral support needs, LETG will endeavour to provide this wherever possible, or provide advice and guidance on where specialist support may be obtained. However, whatever the need it is always best to bring this to the attention of your assessor so that the right support can be arranged.
Additional support may also be provided for employers to help support any issues and concerns you may have with learners in the workplace, and we will always be happy to advice you wherever possible.
Employer Funding
Our Apprenticeship Programmes are open to all applicants, regardless of age. However Apprenticeships are funded by the Learning and Skills Council and funding is restricted to certain age ranges.
For Learners aged between 16 and 18 years - full funding is available for the employer for the entire Apprenticeship Programme
For Learners aged 19-24 years - partial funding is available with the employer paying a percentage of the cost to LETG.
For learners 25 years and over there is currently no funding available for adult Apprenticeships and therefore the entire costs will need to be paid for by the employer. (Please also see Train to Gain NVQ Funding)
Apprenticeship Eligibility
All funded learners must have an eligibility check carried out before being accepted onto an apprenticeship programe. The eligibility criteria is as follows :
be employed in a suitable job role for at least 30 hours per week, and have been in that position for a minimum of 3 months.
a citizen of the UK or EU: a person who has been residing full time for the past three years in the UK, EU or EEA Country : a spouse, sibling or partner of a resident in the EU or EEA :
have GCSE grades A - E for maths, english and one other academic subject, or have at least 1 years work record and references to demonstrate good all round attendance, commitment and skill progression.
for funded apprenticeships, learners must be under 25 years of age before joining the programme.
Further advice and guidance will be given by our Business Advisors. These guidelines are subject to change without notice.
Open Door Policy
Provided that each applicant meets the eligibility requirements, no further criteria is applied to applicants in relation to religious beliefs, culture, race, disability, sexual orientation or gender. We welcome apprenticeship applicants from anyone who is in a suitable job role.
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