Careers Gateway - Where to go for help and advice

Training is for losers !?!?

You’ve heard on the grapevine that only wasters go on training schemes because they didn’t 'do well' at school? After all it’s slave labour and it would be better to earn more packing boxes at a factory! If you go on a training scheme it’s because you’re ‘thick’?

WRONG!

Training schemes help young people to:

Train in a specific area of work
If you fancy being a legal secretary or shop manager, what better way to learn than this. You get to learn about the job and get a qualification as well as getting some experience at the same time!
Learn while you earn
Think of it as being paid an allowance to learn more about a job and not a job that is low paid. You will be gaining more than just a straight forward job without any training
Work towards a National Vocational Qualification (NVQ)
These are qualifications that have been developed by employers to measure your ability to do a job to national standards. Many employers ask for people with NVQs when interviewing.

What do I need to get on to a training scheme?

Advanced Modern Apprenticeships
	Generally, you will need 4 GCSE grades A-C or equivalent. You will work towards an NVQ Level 3 or above and complete key skills as part of their training. These usually take 2-4 years to complete.

Foundation Modern Apprenticeships
	Generally you will need 4 GCSE grades D-G. Apprentices work towards their NVQ level 2 qualification or higher and complete key skills as part of their training. These usually take up to 2 years to complete

Pre-vocational training (i.e. learning gateway)
	This may be better for you if you need some extra help with your Maths and English before you start other types of training. In most jobs, no matter what they are, having a good basic understanding of these two subjects is very important and this type of scheme could really help your confidence when you start looking for work or starting work / work placements. NOTE - soon to be replaced by EZE from August 2003 http://www.cesi.org.uk/projects/post16/ot_replacement/e2e_design/pathfinders/

Something else to think about!

Employers and Training Providers will be impressed if you have completed your National Record of Achievement / Progress File and kept it up to date. This will really help when you go for work placement or work interviews as many employers like you to talk through your achievements, hobbies and part-time work at interview.

Don’t forget! It’s not all about qualifications. Your personality and personal qualities will be very important and taken into consideration when you are choosing training for a specific area of work or when you are being interviewed.

Remember. It doesn’t matter where you start, the great thing about these schemes is that you can work you way up in your own time to achieve all that you want!

How to find out more and apply

You will need to look up your local Learning and Skills Council. Who manage training scemes in your area.

It is a good idea to call in at your local Careers/Connexions centre or speak to your Careers/Connexions Adviser, tutor or parents. You will probably find that in your careers library there are booklets which provide lots of local information about training schemes and local training providers. Have look on your local Careers/Connexions websites as many sites provide on-line vacancies as well as information.

Training - This is how it is!

Training is a great way to get into the world of work. You could just go and get any old job when you leave school, but remember the ‘Who wants to be a millionaire’ article. Don’t sell yourself short. Quick cash is ok for a short while but you want move forward and get better jobs and higher wages. If you start off slowly and get training, qualifications and experience you will be on the right tracks to getting a great job and having a wicked future!

Further information can be found from:

Good Luck

Jennie Glitherow
Connexions Lincolnshire & Rutland

At school or college? Look out for Jennie's future articles which we'll have here for the first Monday of each month, and which we'll link to the best sites we can find on the Web. Why not bookmark us now?

July - Interviews
August - GCSE Results

To get back to this page to use the links on it - enter http://www.careers-gateway.co.uk/mainpage.htm and click on Magazine then Earn while you Learn?