Member Article

South Yorkshire traineeships to ‘demystify world of work’

With ‘earn while you learn’ an emerging political talking point, a Sheffield academy that gives young people the opportunity to combine studying with hands-on workplace experience through apprenticeships is to offer a series of ‘try before they buy’ traineeships across the region.

The three-month programme from W Academy & Education will give advice on CV writing, interview techniques and interpersonal skills – as well as work experience in the hospitality, customer service and business administration sectors.

Available from 15th August, the government-funded training scheme is intended to help people aged 16 to 23 develop the aptitudes and workplace experience they need to enter into an apprenticeship or full-time employment.

Martin Harkness, W Academy & Education’s operations director, claims that the new scheme provides an ‘exciting opportunity’ for young people who needed more time, or guidance, before starting an apprenticeship.

He said: “Not every 16-year-old knows exactly what they want to do, and not everyone has the skills needed to pursue their chosen career.

“The traineeship programme will provide young people across South Yorkshire and Derbyshire the opportunity to effectively try before they buy. They can boost their confidence, academic knowledge and understanding of the world of work before committing full-time to either an apprenticeship or a specific job.”

Young people who enter the free scheme will spend two days a week at W Academy’s high spec training facility on Scotland Street, Sheffield – where English and Maths tutoring will also be available to those who did not achieve a GCSE grade A-C - as well as two more with an employer, to familiarise themselves with the disciplines, requirements and expectations placed on adult workers.

Martin added: “This is all about helping prepare young people for that next step after full-time education and demystifying the world of work. It’s a free scheme and students receive £10 each day to help cover expenses.”

He anticipates a high retention rate of students opting to enrol in an apprenticeship scheme at the end of the course. “We anticipate that many will go on to take up a place once their traineeship ends.

“And for those who choose to enter full time employment, or even return to full-time education, we believe the course will provide them with a myriad of skills to better prepare them for the challenges of adulthood.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by David Gatehouse .