Parents and Carers Guide to Apprenticeships
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Welcome to our Parents and Careers Guide to Apprenticeships
As part of National Apprenticeship Week 2023, the UK Poultry division of 2 Sisters Food Group have today launched our Guide to Parents and Carers on Apprenticeships.
You’ve almost certainly heard about apprenticeships by now - but if you think they’re second best to a university degree, you’ve been misinformed! Apprenticeships can be a pathway to a degree – paid for in full by the employer while your child earns a wage.
In this guide, we define apprenticeships, go through the different types, compare them to university, explore some of the programmes available at 2 Sisters Food Group, look at how much your child can expect to earn and explain how to help your child find an apprenticeship.
For more information, contact Lisa Massey Apprenticeship & Early Careers Manager Email: lisa.massey@2sfg.com Telephone: 07849 833649
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What is an Apprenticeship and is it right for your child?
If you’re a parent, guardian or carer, you can help inspire the apprentices of tomorrow.
Apprenticeships are designed by employers so the training reflects the skills, knowledge and behaviours an apprentice will need for a particular occupation. An apprenticeship is a job with training and the chance to gain qualifications. Working as an apprentice means your child will earn as they learn and spend 20% of their working hours training so they gain the skills needed for their chosen occupation.
As with any job, an apprentice gets paid, but they also take part in formal on-the-job training and study for relevant qualifications linked to their role. Qualifications are paid for by the employer. Apprentices do not pay anything towards their qualifications.
Apprenticeship training is of a high standard and only training providers who are on the register of apprenticeship training providers can deliver the training. Some apprenticeships include a qualification, including a degree. All of the training is free, so the apprentice has no student debt to worry about. A school or college leaver can apply for university and an apprenticeship at the same time - they can make their final decision af ter they’ve had time to consider their options.
To support someone with apprenticeships you can: • browse our useful resources (click on link) which can help you support a young person in making career decisions • find an apprenticeship (click on link) in your area • learn about apprentices’ real stories (click on link) and experiences • use the National Careers Service (click on link) for impartial and free advice • read the Which? guide to higher and degree apprenticeships (click on link)
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Types of Apprenticeships
There are four levels of apprenticeships: • Intermediate – Level 2, equivalent to 5 GCSEs. • Advanced – Level 3, equivalent to 2 A-Levels. • Higher – Levels 4-7, equivalent to a certificate of higher education or foundation degree right the way up to a Master’s Degree • Degree – Levels 6 & 7, guarantees a bachelor’s or master’s degree on successful completion If your child does not have any GCSE’s, they can often apply for an intermediate apprenticeship anyway. They can study for GCSEs or the equivalent functional skills qualifications alongside their apprenticeship. Very few students are barred from taking on an apprenticeship.
Apprentices can gain a variety of qualifications from an apprenticeship.
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What are functional skills?
If your child is thinking about doing an apprenticeship and doesn’t have C+ (grade 4+ from 2017) in English and Maths GCSE, they may need one or more functional skills qualifications to get onto a scheme.
Functional skills qualifications are available in three subjects: • English • Maths • Information and communication technology (ICT) They are designed to teach three things in each of these subjects: • Knowledge • Understanding • Skills
Functional skills qualifications are designed to give you practical knowledge, which means you can take what you learn and apply it directly to work and study – and even your personal life.
They are available at three levels: • Entry levels 1, 2 and 3: These are mainly for people re- entering learning after a break, hence “entry level”. • Level 1: The same as getting a GCSE grade D-G (2017 grade 1-3) in that subject. • Level 2: Like getting a GCSE grade A*-C (2017 grade 9-4). • Functional skills replaced a set of older qualifications called “key skills”.
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Apprenticeship Wages
What your child will earn as an apprentice will depend on the industry, location and the level of apprenticeship they choose.
If aged between 16 and 18 or in the first year of the apprenticeship, the apprentice is entitled to the apprentice rate (click on link).
If the apprentice is 19 or over and has completed the first year of the apprenticeship, they are entitled to the National Minimum Wage (click on link).
This is the minimum an apprentice can earn, many employers offer their apprentices a competitive salary.
There are no student loan or tuition fees for an apprenticeship because it is funded by the government and the employer.
The apprentice will need to cover the cost of their day-to-day expenses, such as lunch and travel, however many employers offer a competitive salary to support this.
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Apprenticeships versus University
Apprenticeships are vocational and all of them offer a large degree of work experience. Learning is linked directly to the kind of work that the apprentice is doing in their job, although study will often cover the theoretical background in the abstract.
If your child undertakes a higher or degree apprenticeship, they will very likely work towards a degree of some kind. This means that they will come out with the same qualifications as a graduate. The beauty is, the student is not liable for the cost of study. Any university (or other) tuition fees are paid for by the employer. That means no student debt. Higher and degree apprentices gain a degree with no student debt and get paid to do a job while they study. This puts them ahead of graduates going into the equivalent career path by the time graduates from the same school year-group are leaving university.
So shouldn’t every student go to University? Quite simply, no.
University isn’t for every student and students do not need to feel that university is the only route to a high-skilled career.
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Finding an apprenticeship for your child
There are hundreds of apprenticeships to choose from and ‘ Find an apprenticeship ’ (click on link) is a great resource for your child to view current vacancies. The service can also be used to save and apply for vacancies and also create alerts for new vacancies in specific sectors and locations.
Some employers advertise apprenticeship vacancies on their own website, and you can apply for them directly.
Applications and CVs
• Employers usually ask for applicants to submit a cover letter and CV. There is lots of support on how to write a CV and cover letter on the National Careers Service. (click on links). • For individuals who are still considering their options, it might be worth applying for an apprenticeship at the same time as applying for university which allows them more time to reach a decision. • It is advised that applicants apply for more than one apprenticeship opportunity to increase their chances of success.
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Finding an apprenticeship for your child
Interviews If the application is successful, the applicant will be invited to interview with the employer. Interviews for apprenticeships are often similar to any other job interview but the process often differs between employers. For example, small employers might conduct one interview, whereas a large employer could request up to three.
An interview could therefore consist of: • a face to face interview • a phone interview • a video interview
It is advised that the applicant does some key preparation before attending the interview. This could include: • researching the apprenticeship and the organisation • practicing by doing a mock interview • checking where and when the interview is • getting to the interview early •
dressing appropriately and staying focussed • asking questions if they don’t understand
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Finding an apprenticeship for your child
Social Media There are lots of organisations working with young people and they will almost certainly have social media accounts. Encourage your child to follow them as then apprenticeship roles, information and other opportunities will come up without them having to search. In addition, encourage them to use the time to make sure their social media accounts are mature and professional looking, especially if their profiles are open. Having an interesting social media presence can help them to stand out. Your child may be surprised when you encourage them to use social media, rather than asking them to spend less time on it.
Research Research The Higher and Degree listing launched recently, so if your child is looking for a level 4-7 apprenticeship, spend some time with them looking at the current opportunities available on the listing. Higher and Degree Listing - Amazing Apprenticeships (click on link)
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Finding an apprenticeship for your child
Use Apps Your child may also be surprised if you encourage them to use their phones, but there are lots of apps that could help with their apprenticeship search. Calendar and to-do list apps are great for helping with organisation, there are even to- do list apps with alarms that won’t switch off until you’ve completed a task! There are also apps that block you using social media or other apps for a certain amount of time, to stop you getting distracted when researching or completing application forms.
Reach Out Encourage your child to spend some time finding out which companies they are interested in that offer apprenticeships and write to them to introduce themselves, including their CV, even if there aren’t any current vacancies.
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Apprenticeship programmes at 2 Sisters Food Group
(UK Poultry Division)
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Engineering Apprenticeship Scheme
Our Engineering Apprenticeship scheme is an exciting way to kickstart a career. We provide your child with the opportunity to gain the skills required to join our fast-paced teams. We focus on their skills and passion, not just academic education. Across our Poultry sites our Engineering Apprentices will be based in our Engineering functions, where we have created several engineering programmes, from level 2 to level 4. As an Engineering Apprentice, your child will work with us to solve problems, bring fresh perspectives and work in collaborative teams to strengthen engineering activities and resources. We are looking for hands-on individuals, those who like to practically apply their knowledge, those that work in teams and collaborate, that have a positive approach to problem solving.
Eligibility criteria for our Engineering Apprenticeship Scheme is 5 GCSE’s at Grades *A -C (9-4) including Maths and English.
To find out more and what our Apprenticeship Scheme offers, visit our early careers page on our website at Meet-Our-Apprentices - 2SFG (click on link).
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Our current vacancies: Engineering Apprenticeship Scheme
Applications for our September 2023 intake of Engineering Apprentices is now open.
We are currently advertising for the following Apprenticeships (see next slide for a location map of our current UK Poultry sites):
Level 3 Electrical Apprentices, 2 positions available – West Bromwich Level 3 Mechanical Apprentices, 2 positions available – Willand Level 3 Mechanical Apprentices, 2 positions available – Thetford Level 3 Mechanical Apprentices, 2 positions available – Sandycroft Level 2 Mechanical Apprentice, 1 position available – Sandycroft Level 3 Multi Skilled Apprentices, 2 positions available - Coupar Angus Level 3 Engineering Apprentices, 6 positions available – Scunthorpe Level 3 Engineering Apprentice, 1 position available - Flixton
Starting salary range: £15,371-£22,880 per annum (dependant on site)
To apply, visit our current vacancies page today at Welcome to our Talent Community (force.com) (click on link)
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Our UK Poultry Sites
Coupar Angus George Street, Coupar Angus, PH13 9LU, Scotland
Amber Foods (Wolverhampton) Units 1 & 2 Howard Street Industrial Estate, Hill Top, West Bromwich, West Midlands, B70 0SU
Coupar Angus
Sandycroft Glendale Avenue, Sandycroft Industrial Estate, Deeside, Clwyd, CH5 2QP, Wales
Flixton Grange Road, Flixton, Bungay, NR35 1NT
Scunthorpe Rams Boulevard, Foxhills Industrial Estate, Scunthorpe, North Lincolnshire, DN15 8QW
Site D (West Bromwich) Dial Lane, West Bromwich, West Midlands, B70 0EB
Sandycroft
Site E (Wolverhampton) Gallus House, Lincoln Street, Wolverhampton, West Midlands, WV10 0DX
Scunthorpe
Wolverhampton
Thetford
Thetford Caxton Way, Thetford, Norfolk, IP24 3RY
Willand Cullompton, Devon, EX15 2PJ
West Bromwich
Flixton
Willand
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Hear from our Engineering Apprentice, Daniel
Daniel joined our 2 Sisters Scunthorpe site in September 2022. We asked Daniel:
What apprenticeship are you studying? I am studying a Level 3 Electrical Apprenticeship at North Lindsey College. I attend college one day per week and spend the rest of the time on site. Why did you apply for the role? I always wanted to do an electrical apprenticeship after leaving school. Seeing a big employer in Scunthorpe, offering a great opportunity and paying £10.50 per hour was perfect for me. What have you learnt so far? I have been taught how to set up stop/starts, work with panels, fit lighting circuits and I am currently fitting heaters. This is a great environment to learn lots of new things. What has been the main challenge for you so far? Initially I found working on panels was quite challenging, but I am comfortable with them now. Also learning to work from diagrams is a new challenge for me.
What has been the highlight for you so far? I have honestly really enjoyed everything!
What are you looking forward to in the future? Getting on to shifts.
What would you say to somebody who is considering starting an apprenticeship with 2 Sisters? Go for it, just do it!
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Hear from our Engineering Apprentice, Aaron
Aaron joined our 2 Sisters Scunthorpe site in September 2022. We asked Aaron:
What apprenticeship are you studying? I am studying a Level 3 Electrical Apprenticeship at North Lindsey. I attend college 1 day per week and spend the rest of the time on site. Why did you apply for the role? I previously worked in Social Care but wanted a career change, so I was at the college studying Engineering. 2 Sisters attended an apprenticeship event, so I went and spoke with them. I was really impressed with what they wanted to offer and their desire to train people in the roles. 2 Sisters did a really good job selling the benefits to me, especially that they would be paying £10.50 per hour rather than just the normal apprenticeship rate. This was important as I have a family to support. I had other opportunities at the time, but on the day of the assessment centre 2 Sisters really focused on talking about what they would do for us, whereas other business were more interested in telling us how good they were. I also remember seeing lots of posters around site showing all the great things they were doing for employees and what they were doing in the local community. What have you learnt so far? I have learnt so much, but everything starts with the fact that safety is the number one priority and that this should never be comprised. What has been the main challenge for you so far? The biggest challenge for me was moving from a social care career to a situation where I am back in an academic environment part of the time, and in an engineering environment the rest of the time. As I also have a young family balancing all these things has been tricky, but 2 Sisters have been so helpful and supportive to enable to do this. What has been the highlight for you so far? Being offered the opportunity to start. After the assessment centre I was convinced that 2 Sisters was the right place for me, so I was excited when I got the call telling me I had been successful! I also remember not long after we started, the Site Director wanted to meet us all, make us feel welcome and ask how we were getting on, then 2 months later he saw me and remembered who I was. I really appreciated that moment as he is a very busy person. What are you looking forward to in the future? Being part of this amazing team and supporting 2 Sisters achieve their goals. What would you say to somebody who is considering starting an apprenticeship with 2 Sisters? This is a fantastic place to get your training, and a friendly place to work – they should do it!
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Hear from our Engineering Apprentice, Rhian
Rhian joined our 2 Sisters Sandycroft site in June 2022. We asked Rhian:
What apprenticeship are you studying? The apprenticeship I'm currently working towards is my Electrical Engineering at Deeside college which I attend 4 days a week. The course is a Level 2 PEO with Level 3 BTEC. Why did you apply for the role? I applied for this role because it was an amazing opportunity for me to be a part of something like this, being the first female engineer on site is a massive achievement to me. Also having such a great course offered to me at Deeside college was something I couldn't turn down. What have you learnt so far? In my college course I'm doing, I've learnt lots of Health and Safety during practical sessions and write ups; my practical skills have improved massively since September, also learning from doing our UPKS in class time. What has been the main challenge for you so far? The main challenge that I have come across so far is working in a new environment at college and coming across things I’ve never done in this line of work. What has been the highlight for you so far? The highlight for me so far was being able to come into work and know what I’m doing after being in college, plus making new friends along the way.
What are you looking forward to in the future? I’m looking forward to completing the college course and then starting in full time employment.
To hear more from our current apprentices, visit our early careers page on our website at Meet-Our- Apprentices - 2SFG
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Other Apprenticeship Schemes
If Engineering is not of interest to your child, 2 Sisters Food Group do offer other Apprenticeships in other areas of the business across our different locations.
You can keep an eye out for these vacancies by visiting our current vacancies page on our website at Welcome to our Talent Community (force.com) (click on link).
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Dates for your diary: Free webinars throughout the year for parents and careers
As part of the Apprenticeship Support and Knowledge for Schools and Colleges programme (ASK), Amazing Apprenticeships are offering teachers and parents a schedule of free webinars throughout the year. You can book your free place now at: www.amazingapprenticeships.com/workshops- webinars These are a series of informative webinars that will provide an abundance of tips, advice, and information from expert speakers all around the topic of apprenticeships. Each webinar lasts for 30 minutes and will take place on Zoom. Participants are required to sign up before the session and will receive an email confirmation and a reminder an hour before it begins. The webinars will be recorded and shared with all registrants after the session.
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Further resources/guidance
References : HM Government Browse our useful resources . Available at: Resource hub (apprenticeships.gov.uk) (Accessed 06/01/23) HM Government Find an apprenticeship . Available at: Browse apprenticeships before you apply (Accessed 06/01/23) HM Government Real stories. Available at: Real stories (apprenticeships.gov.uk) (Accessed 06/01/23) Open Government Licence (OGL) National Careers Service. Available at: Careers advice | National Careers Service (Accessed 06/01/23) Open Government Licence (OGL) How to write a CV. Available at: Careers advice | National Careers Service (Accessed 06/01/23) Open Government Licence (OGL) How to write a cover letter. Available at: Cover letters | National Careers Service (Accessed 06/01/23) UCAS . Higher and Degree Apprenticeships Guide. Available at: Higher and degree apprenticeships guide | Undergraduate | UCAS (Accessed 06/01/23) Open Government Licence (OGL). National Minimum Wage and National Living Wage rates . Available at: National Minimum Wage and National Living Wage rates - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) (Accessed 06/01/23)
If you require further information on our early careers programmes at 2 Sisters Food Group, you can contact:
Lisa Massey, Apprenticeship & Early Careers Manager Email: Lisa.Massey@2sfg.com Mobile: 07849 833649
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