SEND local offer - post 16 education

Apprenticeships 

Apprenticeships are structured programmes that teach you the skills you need to perform well in your job.  

They allow you to: 

• learn practical skills in your workplace  
• build up valuable knowledge and skills 
• gain qualifications and earn money at the same time 

You will be based in a workplace most of the time, as most of the training takes place on the job.  

You will usually attend off-the-job training once a week and you could be working towards a qualification, such as National Vocational Qualification (NVQ), other nationally recognised qualifications or a certificate of achievement. 

How much can I earn? 

National Apprenticeship Minimum Wage (NAMW) is currently £5.28 per hour. The National Apprenticeship Minimum Wage applies to those aged 16 to 18, or 19 or above on their first year of the apprenticeship. For those who are 19 or above, after the first year, the National Minimum Wage will apply. 

There is no maximum wage, apprentices can earn as much as the employer is willing to pay. 

How long do apprenticeships last? 

All apprenticeships must last a minimum of 12 months, but some can take up to 4 years to complete. 

The length of an apprenticeship varies depending on skill level of the apprentice, the qualification being obtained and the industry sector of the apprenticeship. 

What apprenticeships are available to me? 

There are over 200 different types of apprenticeships available in a wide range of sectors including:  

• business, administration and law 
• health, public services and social care 
• education and training 
• information, communication and technology (ict) 
• construction, planning and the built environment 
• arts, media and publishing 
• leisure, travel and tourism 
• hospitality and catering 
• retail and commercial enterprise 
• agriculture, horticulture and animal care 
• engineering and manufacturing technologies 

There are endless career opportunities under each sector. 

I have an Education Health and Care Plan (EHCP), what support will I receive during the apprenticeship? 

Young people can keep their EHCP whilst on an apprenticeship. Apprenticeships are funded by the Skills Funding Agency (SFA) who are committed to making sure that everyone has the opportunity to do an apprenticeship, including those with learning difficulties or disabilities. This means making sure the right level of support is available to remove barriers to education and training so that learners can make the most of their potential. Learning support funding will also provide funding for you to meet the costs of reasonable adjustments to help you do the job. 

Higher and Degree Apprenticeships 

For young people who want to learn at a higher level Higher and Degree Apprenticeships are available at levels 4 to 7.  These programmes combine work and off-the-job learning which can lead to foundation degree, standard degree or professional qualifications in your chosen career. 

Traineeships 

The aim of traineeships is to help young people gain the skills and experience they need to go on to an apprenticeship or job as quickly as possible. 

Traineeships are available to young people up to age of 24 (25 for young people with Education Health and Care Plan) who are not currently in a job and have little work experience but want to get into work. 

Traineeships may be suitable for: 

• those aged 16 to 18 years old who are qualified below Level 3 
• those aged 19 to 24 years old who have not yet achieved their first full Level 2 qualification (a GCSE or something else at that level) 
• those aged 16 to 24 years old who have a reasonable chance of being ready for employment or an apprenticeship within 6 months of starting a traineeship 

Traineeships include work preparation training, an English or Math qualification or both and a high-quality work placement. Traineeships last a minimum of 6 weeks and maximum of 6 months (they must include a work placement which lasts at least 6 weeks and no more than 5 months) 

Supported Internships 

Supported internships are aimed at young people who want to move into employment but need extra support to do so. They are aimed at those aged 16 to 24 who have a statement of special educational needs, a Learning Disability Assessment, or an Education, Health and Care plan (EHCP). 

Supported internships normally last for a year and include unpaid work placements of at least 6 months (the exact duration of the programme will depend on students' needs, abilities and ambitions). 

Students on supported internships will be based mainly at an employer's premises with some time spent in college or with a training provider. 

Find out more by visiting:  

• the Tees Valley Careers Service website 
• the Stockton on-Tees Borough Council Learning and Skills Service website 
• the National Apprenticeship Service website 
• the Education and Skills Funding Agency website 
• the All About School Leavers website  

Project Choice 

Project Choice is an unpaid supported internship programme for young people aged 16 to 24 with learning disabilities, difficulties or autism (LDDA). NHS Health Education England, support NHS Trusts to deliver the programme nationally. The focus is work readiness and matching skills to employment through vocational profiling. Interns will also be supported to develop socially and increase their self-confidence. Ultimately the Project will help interns to understand the pathway into employment and achieve their own goals and aspirations. 

The project team ensure there are placements across the host Trust and within select external organisations looking specifically at entry-level jobs to make sure the right learner is allocated to the right role based on their interest and skill set.  

The interns are supported throughout their placements by: 

•  the Project Team 
• work based mentors  
• work colleagues 

The Project Team also have a pool of Job Coaches that can be used if increased support is needed.   

In addition, the programme offers training to staff to become work-based mentors, working alongside and supporting learners. Over 200 staff have been trained to support LDDA, developing unique teaching techniques and skills, which can be transferred across the organisations. 

The young learners spend a year within their internships with 3 placements which each span 10 to 12 weeks for up to 4 days a week and are flexible around location and work hours - depending on need and job roles.  In addition, interns spend one day studying Maths, English and Employability. In their placement they are embedded in the team.  

Placements are tailored to meet individual needs and there are a wide range of roles available including:  

• administration 
• retail 
• clinical work  
• catering  
• animal care 

The Project Choice team uses this time to look at any barriers and potential areas of development. Throughout, the learners are gradually assessed on how ready for employment they are. 

The scheme also incorporates a work experience element (Stage 1). This gives students an opportunity to develop skills for the workplace and ensures young people with LDDA understand the importance of matching their skill sets to work while still in education. 

Watch a student video to find out more about Project Choice 

Additional support

16 to 19 Bursary Fund

A bursary is money that you, your education or training provider can use to help to pay for clothing, books, other equipment for your course, transport and lunch on the day that you train.

If you are a disabled student and get both Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) (or Universal Credit in place of ESA), and either Disability Living Allowance (DLA) or Personal Independence Payment (PIP) in your name you may be able to get financial support from the Government's 16 to19 Bursary Fund.

Find out more about the 16 to 19 Bursary Fund