What are Young Apprenticeships?

A Young Apprenticeship (YA) is a route at Key Stage 4 which allows motivated and able 14 to 16 year-olds to study for vocational qualifications not just in the classroom but in college, with training providers and in the workplace too. Students are based in school, and follow the core National Curriculum subjects, but for two days a week (or equivalent) they also work towards nationally recognised vocational qualifications delivered by their local Young Apprenticeships Partnership.

Students recruited on the YA programme are:

• following a programme of study with an employer, training provider or college (or a combination of two or three), using work experience to contribute directly to the programme of study, probably though portfolio work.

• Wherever possible, study is practical and applied, with an expectation of about 50 days’ work experience or equivalent over the two years of Key Stage 4; learning through a combination of classroom delivery and direct application in the business sector.

• Both teachers and experienced employees or trainers share the responsibilities for teaching; gaining a taste of ‘real work’ in a supported way, and laying the foundations for a possible post-16 Apprenticeship whilst retaining the full range of options for future training or study.

• Advice and Guidance should be available to help you make the right choices before, during and at the end of the programme.