An apprenticeship is a work based programme that pays a special training wage. This training wage can be under the minimum wage. An apprenticeship isn’t a qualification in its own right but rather a collection of qualifications that allows the apprentice to develop many skills for a career.
Apprenticeships are usually delivered by a commercial training provider or a college. The delivery is usually varied and includes a day release, on the job training and online assessments. The components of an apprenticeship will depend on the employer and is usually agreed between the employer and training provider. The delivery will influence how long it takes to complete an apprenticeship.
Depending on the age of the learner, public funding is usually available and involves a contribution from the employer. Various studies have also shown apprentices to be more productive and more likely to stay with an employer in comparison to other workers.
A competence qualification, knowledge qualification and a section about employment rights and responsibilities are compulsory parts of all apprenticeships. It is the choice of pathway that makes each apprenticeship different.
The purpose of the apprenticeship is to help the bus and coach industries improve recruitment and retention of bus and coach engineers/technicians.
The Level 2 Apprenticeship in Bus and Coach Engineering and Maintenance has three pathways to choose from:
Pathway 1: Mechanical
Pathway 2: Electrical
Pathway 3: Body