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Apprentice of the Year

 

Total People is a Centre of Vocational Excellence

 

 

 

	...it has given me the extra skills and knowledge to help me to progress in the workplace.

Amy Fitzpatrick left St. Gregory’s RC High School with 9 GCSEs. She decided that she did not want to go to College and instead wanted to earn some money. After being employed for a while in the care industry, Amy realised that she wanted to work with children. Amy noticed an advert in her local paper for a Playworker at an After School Club and applied.

“I got the job and a month after I started my Manager asked me if I would be interested in doing an Apprenticeship whilst working. I looked into it and decided that it was a good chance for me to gain a qualification at the same time as gaining the practical experience of working with children”. Amy contacted Total People, who assigned a dedicated Training Adviser to support her throughout her training. She is currently working towards her Playwork Advanced Apprenticeship.

Amy’s job involves working with children aged 4–12 years. She helps to provide an environment that encourages children to develop their creative, physical, mental and social skills. Amy finds the close relationship with her Training Adviser very helpful, “She is supportive and has my best interests at heart, always encouraging me to do my best. All areas of the training can be related back to my work and it has given me the extra skills and knowledge to help me to progress in the workplace”.

Amy is hoping that once she has completed all of the relevant training, her manager will give her the opportunity to advance within the company and take on more responsibilities.

What is an Apprenticeship?

An Apprenticeship is a work-based learning programme designed to give you the skills and knowledge needed to develop your prospects and career in the industry. This is a career for people who want to provide children with a challenging and stimulating environment which is also educational and caring. Within Childcare, ‘Playwork' is a separate skill area for people who want to provide a play environment which is stimulating, creative and rewarding for children aged between 4 and 15 years. While genuinely caring about children, you need to have good communication skills and must be able to work as part of a team. You should also have lots of energy and a good sense of humour, with plenty of imagination and creative ideas.

The Advanced Apprenticeship is available to you once you have completed your Apprenticeship. These are identical in structure to the Apprenticeship however learning is at Level 3 which is equivalent to ‘A’ Level standard.

How do I find an Apprenticeship?

The first thing you need to do is to find a job. Apprenticeships are work-based which means you need to be employed before you can start your training.

There are many places you can go to find a job; Connexions, local papers, internet job sites, and Job Centre Plus. You can even try friends and family to see if they know anybody who may have a vacancy.

Once you have gained employment contact Total People!

What happens then?

Total People will send one of their Training Advisers out to you. They will sit down with both you and your employer to arrange your learning plan.

Your training will require you to attend college for half a day per week. This is usually mornings or evenings so no time has to be taken off from your work and you can attend classes as well as meet with your Training Adviser.

How long will it take?

The time taken to complete your NVQ depends upon you; how quickly you want to do it. However it normally takes around 12 months to complete.

The Technical Certificate is delivered at a college, therefore you will tend to start in September and finish at around May / June time.

The other element of your Apprenticeship, Key Skills, takes around 12 months to complete, but again is dependant upon you!

Completing your Apprenticeship

Your Playwork Apprenticeship is made up from 3 core elements;

• NVQ
• Technical Certificate
• Key Skills

Your NVQ portfolio is like a work diary, it records your activities and experiences. Your portfolio is assessed to make sure you are competent. Your work will be assessed at your place of work.

The Technical Certificate gives you the underpinning knowledge needed to carry out the tasks of your NVQ.

Key Skills are similar to Maths and English GCSEs however, learning is focussed around Playwork; for example, you will learn how to calculate the cost of equipment and how to make your proposal to your manager.

Further Progression

Being qualified will open many doors to you. You will be able to show your employer that, along with being qualified, you have also shown commitment, dedication and professionalism. This could lead to promotion, higher rates of pay, or managerial opportunities.

 

 

 

 

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