Work-Based Learning and Apprenticeships

What are Apprenticeships?

An apprenticeship is a structured training programme, specific to your needs, enabling you to gain knowledge and experience leading to a successful career. It is a mixture of on and off-the-job training enabling you to gain qualifications relevant to your chosen occupation. Apprenticeships are available for those aged 16 – 65 and are free to the learner but an employer contribution may be required for learners who start an apprenticeship aged 19+.

Apprenticeships and Advanced Apprenticeships are designed to meet the requirements of the industry through which the learner is looking to progress their career and the level of an apprenticeship is relevant to the level of the learner’s occupation and previous experience.


Apprenticeships


Engineering Apprenticeship

Apprenticeships at Level 2 enable you to start working, earn a decent wage, all whilst learning the skills and gaining the qualifications which employers want. Entry requirements are flexible because Apprenticeships aren't just based on academic achievement - practical skills count as well as your interest in the area of work you’ve chosen.

You will work towards gaining a nationally recognised framework qualification that includes a competence-based qualification, transferable skills and legislative qualifications relevant to the industry.

Apprentices are normally employed, but in some circumstances they can be initially taken on as a trainee and paid through the EMA system for an amount of time before progressing to employed status.

Advanced Apprenticeships


Equine Apprenticeship

Advanced Apprentices at Level 3 are designed to reflect a Managerial (craft) occupation level and the key business skills that employers look for and include in a nationally recognised framework qualification a competence-based qualification, transferable skills and legislative qualifications relevant to the industry. Entry at this level may be progression from an Apprenticeship or direct if a learner is at this level.



Bicton Training Offers Apprenticeships in:

Agriculture, Horticulture, Animal Care, Arboriculture, Environmental Conservation, Floristry, Gamekeeping and Wildlife Management, Horse Care, Land-based Service Engineering, Plant Maintenance and Outdoor Leisure.

Bicton Training Offers Advanced Apprenticeships in:

Agricultural, Horticulture, Animal Care and Management, Arboriculture, Floristry, Horse Care and Management, Land-based Service Engineering and Plant Maintenance and Outdoor Leisure.

Eligibility

The government guarantee provides Apprenticeships places for all 16-18 year olds and in certain circumstances extends this to young people aged 19-25 who have been disadvantaged from starting an apprenticeship earlier. Limited places are also available to for those aged over 19 who are in employment and sponsored by their employer.

Unemployed learners considering an Apprenticeship will need to find themselves a work placement / employer who are willing to support them in their chosen training programme although if learners are unable to find one, we may be able to help.

Potential learners’ eligibility is subject to interview, initial assessment, previous qualifications and suitable employment.

Training Programme

There will be no cost to you for your training on these schemes. It will be delivered between both the College and your place of work. Training at College may be through residential block courses or on a day-release basis. The College has excellent facilities for both study and recreation.

 

Wage / Training Allowance

 

Horticulture Apprenticeship

Apprentices are normally expected to work for a minimum of 30 hours per week and employers are responsible for wage and other employment costs. The salary is negotiated to reflect the abilities, age, skills and experience of the apprentice, taking into account the going rate for the job concerned. All apprentices must have a contract of employment and be paid under the PAYE scheme.

 

The majority of Apprentices are employed from the start of their apprenticeship. However, it is accepted this will not always be possible as some employers will not employ an apprentice until they have had a period of probation, unemployed status learners may be entitled to EMA during this period. However it is important that these learners progress on to an employed status as soon as possible.

 

  • Apprentices under the age of 19 and in their first 12 months of their programme are exempt under the national minimum wage but if you are employed and under 19 years old a minimum wage of £95 per week applies under this programme.

 

  • If you are in an Agricultural occupation then terms and conditions for agricultural learners (including payment rates) are set by the Agricultural Wages Board and must be adhered to by employers as defined in the current agricultural wages order. The current minimum for Apprentices under the age of 19 is £139.24 per week.

 

  • If you are not employed and under the age of 19 you can apply for EMA which will entitle you to a maximum of £30 per week depending on annual income of the household.

 

  • You will not have to pay for lodging whilst on block release at College.

 

Please see the individual courses for more information on each apprenticeship.