Young apprenticeships

The Young Apprenticeship programme in Health and Social Care was a two year vocational option taken at Key Stage 4 by students aged 14 at schools which had developed partnerships with local employers and sometimes training providers. The programme was available to students in participating schools who were predicted to achieve a minimum of GCSEs A* - C and who had good attendance and behaviour.

The Young Apprenticeship Programme provided individuals with the opportunity to gain invaluable insight and real work experience into the sector at a time when they are beginning to make choices for a future career.

The government withdrew this offer in 2010 due to financial cutbacks. Although no new cohorts of students have commenced the Young Apprenticeship Programme since 2010 we still have young people enjoying this vocational opportunity until July 2012. This means that employers may have access to recruiting enthusiastic young people who at the age of 16 have identified social care as their career choice and the natural progression for them would be to move on to an intermediate level apprenticeship.

Skills for Care is working to ensure all Young Apprentices who wish to carry on a career in social care are guaranteed a post 16 Apprenticeship place should they desire it. For further information please contact Tracey Nicholson - tracey.nicholson@skillsforcare.org.uk