Young Apprenticeship programme exceeds Government targets

Lee Rowberry, SkillsActive - 02/03/2009

The evaluation of cohort three – carried out between September 2006 and July 2008 – has concluded that the Young Apprenticeship is well liked by all partners, including pupils, employers and training providers. According to feedback, employers not only see the value of being involved in the Young Apprenticeship, but are also willing to continue to build on the success of the programme, believing it provides a worthwhile education and vocational route for young people interested in the Active Leisure and Learning sector.

SkillsActive Entry to the Workforce Manager, Katie Couchman, says: “Employers recognise that the Young Apprenticeship programme has many benefits, preparing young people for the world of employment by providing them with the opportunity to experience real life work. They also see the Young Apprentices as possible future employees, already equipped with knowledge of the sector and some valuable experience.

“This evaluation reinforces the value of the Young Apprenticeship programme to the sector and shows how cohort three exceeded expectation and the targets set by the Government.”

Cohort three exceeded six targets set by the Department for Children, Schools and Families. The evaluation concluded that 91 per cent of employers found that Young apprentices showed good attendance and behavioural skills throughout their work placements and that 72 per cent of employers said that the Young Apprentices showed a greater maturity than other 14 to 16 year olds that they had on work experience with their companies.

The evaluation also found that more than 90 per cent of students completed the programme and gained a level 2 industry specific qualification well in excess of the national target and 82 per cent of employers rated their recruits as satisfactory or better with 74 per cent rating them as very satisfactory.

A climbing wall leader from Burnside Business and Enterprise College in Tyne and Wear said: “The students I worked with were fully committed to the programme, it was a pleasure to work with them.” A sports services manager from Sunderland was also complimentary of the Young Apprenticeship saying it was “a great programme that meets employers’ needs”. A Young Apprentice from Boston College showed his support by saying “the YA programme helped me with my GCSEs and to get better qualifications”.

The Young Apprenticeship in Sports Management, Leadership and Coaching – developed by SkillsActive and designed for 14 to 16 year-olds – began in September 2004. The Apprenticeship allows pupils to spend two days per week working towards nationally recognised vocational qualifications, while still continuing to follow the core National Curriculum.

To read the full report on the evaluation of Cohort 3, please visit www.skillsactive.com/training/apprenticeships/young-apprenticeships/YA_Evaluation_Report_09.pdf.