Apprenticeships, Supported Internships & Training

Reading Family Information Service

These are options available to young people from 16 years plus, as an alternative to staying in further or higher education, however continuing to learn new skills and gain qualifications.

 

Next review date January 2025

What is an apprenticeship?

An apprenticeship is a paid job with training, where young people will earn a wage while gaining a nationally recognised qualification. The time an apprenticeship can take varies from one to five years to complete, depending on the type of apprenticeship chosen.

Many young people are looking at this as an option instead of going straight to university from school or college. Apprenticeships are available to anyone over the age of 16 living in England. There will be different requirements depending on the type of apprenticeship.

There are three different types of apprenticeships depending on skills and qualifications; they are the Intermediate (equivalent to 5 GCSE passes), Advanced (equivalent to 2 A' level passes) and Higher (which can lead to NVQ level 4 and above or a foundation degree). To find out more details about entry requirements and salaries visit https://www.apprenticeships.gov.uk/ You can also search for current vacancies on this website.

What is a Supported Internship?

Supported internships are for young people aged 16 to 24 with an Education Health and Care Plan who ultimately want to get into employment but need support to develop the skills that Employers are looking for.  An internship is particularly good if you learn by doing something rather than learning about it at college or school in a classroom.

You would be on roll at college (or school) but only spend a day in college and usually 3 days in the workplace with the support of Job Coach. The Job Coach would get to know you really well and give you tailored support.  So, this is a different type of study programme therefore unpaid, a year-long course which operates from September to July, fully funded in the same way as any full-time college course. You can read a little more about Supported Internships on the National Development Team for Inclusion’s website https://www.ndti.org.uk/assets/docs/What-are-Supported-Internships-Easy-Read.pdf

The Job Coach supports interns to learn the tasks a particular job requires and what the employer expects as well as developing independence and resilience skills. Travel training is also part of the programme if needed.  Towards the end of the programme the Job Coach would help you look for paid work and support you into that new job.

Supported internship achieve fantastic job outcomes, so much so that the Department for Education are investing heavily to expand how many placements are available to young people.  You can find out about what supported internships are available in Reading Local Authority by visiting this page.

Training to gain skills

Training is available for young people who would like to have an apprenticeship or job, who do not yet have the necessary skills.

Training enables young people from 16 to 24 years become work ready. This involves essential training, helping to gain maths and English skills and work experience. For more information please use the following link Young People | Skills for Careers (education.gov.uk)

 

Help available for care leavers starting an apprenticeship.

Additional funding is available to care leavers starting an apprenticeship. https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-support-for-young-care-leavers-starting-an-apprenticeship

Page last reviewed: 30/01/2024

Contact the Team

Family Information Service

fis@reading.gov.uk 0118 937 3777 OPTION 2 0118 937 3777 OPTION 2

SEND Local Offer

localoffer@reading.gov.uk 0118 937 3777 OPTION 2 0118 937 3777 OPTION 2

Adult & Carers Support

CSAAdvice.Signposting@reading.gov.uk 0118 937 3747 0118 937 3747
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