ETEC Development Trust

Apprenticeships

ETEC has a number of years’ experience in providing apprenticeships, as part of its work-based learning remit.

The charity specialises in providing apprenticeships in construction, business administration and information technology.

ETEC’s most recent Ofsted inspection (August 2008) confirmed that the charity was

It’s not all work, some of ETEC’s apprentices take on the staff annually, staff won’t let us say what the score was this year!

classified as a “good” provider with some outstanding features in particular its “very effective learner support.”

ETEC has excellent training facilities and a range of qualified staff to enable apprentices to reach their full potential.

ETEC prides itself in its ability to offer flexible training, which can be tailored to meet employers’ individual needs.

ETEC has been involved in apprenticeship training since 1995 when the Government introduced the ‘New Apprenticeship’ programme.

We have continued to deliver this training package and have implemented the required changes as and when they were introduced by the sector skills councils.

This has enabled us to offer the full package for both learners and employers to achieve the nationally recognised standard of ‘Qualified Apprenticeship’ status.

An apprenticeship is a form of vocational training based on a mixture of theoretical learning and work-based learning.

The apprenticeship programme is a partnership between The Employer, The Apprentice and the Training provider and is funded through the Learning & Skills Council.

The training required consists of several elements:

A Technical Certificate (where appropriate)
Key Skills (Application of Number, Communication and IT where applicable)
Employment Rights and Responsibilities
The National Vocational Qualification

Construction trade apprentices in ETECs Trade Centre

Key Skills

As part of the apprenticeship programme learners are required to pass Key Skills in Application of Number and Communication.

Apprentices attend the Skills for Life department for half a day a week to improve their skills and achieve these qualifications. All resources for Key Skills are tailored to each learner’s occupation area to ensure they can see the relevance in their specific job role.

Tutors use a mixture of practical, e-learning and traditional teaching methods to give learners an engaging, informal and comfortable atmosphere to work in, using a wide variety of occupationally based, good quality, relevant and up-to-date resources.

In 2010 Key Skills will be replaced with Functional Skills as part of the new 14-19 diploma.

Functional skills

Functional skills are those core elements of English, Maths and ICT that provide an individual with the essential knowledge, skills and understanding that will enable them to operate confidently, effectively and independently in life and at work.

Individuals of whatever age who possess these skills will be able to participate and progress in education, training and employment as well as develop and secure the broader range of aptitudes, attitudes and behaviours that will enable them to make a positive contribution to the communities in which they live and work.

ETEC can offer the following apprenticeships:
Apprentice painting in the community
	Bricklaying apprentices applying their trade
ITQ apprentice on placement
Business and administration apprentice
Joinery apprentice hard at work
Apprenticeship programmes at ETEC are open to all age groups from 16 onwards. If you are interested in hearing more about any of these apprenticeships – then contact admin@etec.org.uk or telephone Christine Wilson on 0191-565-6414.