THE DAILY TELEGRAPHThursday, February 19, 2009www.telegraph.co.uk/jobA 5The Daily TelegraphSENIOR SKILLS APPRENTICESHIPSTHE AGE OF OPPORTUNITY TAKING PART IN AN APPRENTICESHIP SCHEME IS NO LONGER RESTRICTED TO THE YOUNG. ISLA WHITCROFT EXPLORES THE PROGRAMMES THAT ARE OPEN TO OLDER PEOPLE pprentices don’t have to be school leavers keen to learn a craft or technical trade. A growing number of older adults are also taking up the opportunity to learn while they earn. “There is a misconception that apprenticeships are just for school leavers, when in reality more than 7,000 people aged over 35 began their apprenticeship this year,” says David Way, National Director of Apprenticeships at the Learning and Skills Council. “Of these, 1,400 were aged 50 or over.” Today’s apprentices may be just starting out on their career path, but many are experienced people topping up skills or retraining. Apprenticeships are also just as likely to be found in the retail, administration, commercial or banking sectors as well as traditional areas such as engineering or industry. There are also different levels of apprenticeships, from foundation to more advanced skills. Companies may receive government help in the form of grants if they offer their employees adult apprenticeships. Apprentices usually receive no extra allowances, although thisAmay vary between companies. According to Kieran Gordon, chief executive of Greater Merseyside Connexions Partnership Ltd, an all-age information and guidance service, the trend towards more flexible and varied apprenticeships is due to the Government’s commitment to ensuring that the UK workforce keeps pace with the changing demands of the global market. “As a direct result of Lord Leitch’s 2006 report for the Government on skills, the emphasis is now very much on lifelong learning,” he says. “Lord Leitch warned that a direct change was needed to plug the skills gap and stop Britain lagging behind.” And it is not just the unskilled and unqualified who can benefit from taking up apprenticeships. “We can no longer rest on our laurels and say, for example, ‘well, I trained to be an engineer, I don’t need to learn anymore.’ Everybody has to keep their skills refreshed and updated,” adds Gordon. “There is a strong demand from employers for staff who can combine practical experience with the latest skills, particularly in these tough times,” agrees Way. “An apprenticeship is an excellent way to retrain or further your career at any age.” Albert. “I was worried I hadn’t got any suitable qualifications and would be overtaken by more qualified, but younger and less experienced colleagues. So when Honda offered adult apprenticeships in parts I jumped at the chance. I started the18month apprenticeship in June last year. “A supervisor regularly visits me and I have to write assignments. The work usually takes a couple of hours a week and there are also oneto three-day courses to attend, all in normal work time. “I feel as though I’m really benefiting from it. It has given me more confidence in my work and I’m far better at my job as a result. It is a great way to prepare me for taking further training and maybe nationally recognised qualifications.” FROM TRAVEL TO DEPUTY HEAD TEACHER ANDREW DAY, 46, FROM WINDSOR, TAUGHT FOR 13 YEARS BEFORE HE SET UP A TRAVEL FIRM WHICH HE PART-SOLD IN 2006. Wondering what to do next, Day came across Future Leaders, a charity that provides apprenticeships for those who want to enter teaching at senior level in challenging schools. “It was the perfect match,” says Day. After a rigorous selection interview and several courses he was paired with an apprentice mentor, the head teacher atNo limits: the apprenticeship opportunities for older people can enhance career progressionCAR PARTS SUPERVISOR CHRIS ALBERT, 36, WORKS FOR A HONDA DEALERSHIP IN NORFOLK. MARRIED WITH TWO CHILDREN, HE LIVES OUTSIDE NORWICH. “I have worked for two other car makers but it was only when I began at Honda in 2003, as a parts supervisor, that I was offered proper structured training,” saysGreenford High School in west London. He began a one-year apprenticeship in 2006, his salary funded half by the charity and half by the school. “I shadowed my mentor in meetings. I learned about dealing with disciplinary issues, budgets and working with the unions.“Taking courses in education law as well as teaching six hours weekly, he completed projects which benefited the school. The hard work paid off. In February 2007 Day was appointed deputy head and is now applying for headships. www.future-leaders.org.
WHY LEARNING ON THE JOB IS BACK IN FASHION Page 4Trade and testedTRAINING IN STYLE WITH THE BAFTA HAIRDRESSER Page 6A cut above the restsarah hansonApprenticeshipscareers focusThe Daily Telegraph Thursday, February 19, 2009 jobs.telegraph.co.uk/ca in association withProduced by Telegraph Create Spec
A 4www.telegraph.co.uk/jobThursday, February 19, 2009THE DAILY TELEGRAPHAPPRENTICESHIPS OVERVIEW and mobile communications — positions in IT are becoming a popular option, too. O2, the mobile phone company, has been taking on probationers for more than a decade and will be recruiting10 people this y
THE DAILY TELEGRAPHThursday, February 19, 2009www.telegraph.co.uk/jobA 5The Daily TelegraphSENIOR SKILLS APPRENTICESHIPSTHE AGE OF OPPORTUNITY TAKING PART IN AN APPRENTICESHIP SCHEME IS NO LONGER RESTRICTED TO THE YOUNG. ISLA WHITCROFT EXPLORES THE PROGRAMMES THAT ARE OPEN TO OLDER PEOPLE pprentices
A 6www.telegraph.co.uk/jobThursday, February 19, 2009THE DAILY TELEGRAPHAPPRENTICESHIPS THE BIG INTERVIEWThe Daily TelegraphCUTTING EDGE CELEBRITY HAIRDRESSER CHARLES WORTHINGTON, MBE, IS FAMED FOR HIS CREATIVE SKILLS AND HIS HIGH-PROFILE CLIENTS. HE SEES APPRENTICESHIPS AS A KEY PART OF DEVELOPING
