Small steps might be giant leaps in your career
Traineeships are an education and training programme with work experience for young people age 16 to 24, and up to age 25 for young people with education, health and care plans or Learning Difficulty Assessments up to academic age 25. Traineeships specific aim is to support people who want to find a job or an apprenticeship but who need some further support to develop some of the skills, experience and behaviours sought by employers.
Unlike an apprenticeship, a traineeship is not a job, but it does offer a focussed programme of learning and between 70 – 240 hours work experience. You have to be eligible to work in England and Traineeships are targeted at people who are currently unemployed and are qualified up to level 3 (equivalent to A-Level) and need this work experience to fill their skills gaps. If you already have work experience or hold qualifications above Level 3 then an apprenticeship might be your best option.
Traineeships are not paid, though some employers may choose to pay you, and you may in any case be given expenses for things like travel and meals. Your training provider may also access financial support for travel, childcare or a disability. Employers can claim a £1000 payment once your work experience has finished if they chose.
The training that is provided alongside the work experience is designed to provide you with the skills that you need to help you take the next step towards work or an apprenticeship. Your training plan will be tailored to what you need, including help with job skills like writing a CV and finding a job, or advice about apprenticeships. If you need support with English, maths and basic digital skills this training will also be offered as part of your individual programme. Providers and employers have the freedom to bring these four elements together in the best way to engage and support individual trainees.
Your work experience is intended to help with the skills you’ll need for an apprenticeship or job in the area you want to work in. At the end of the programme, you’ll be offered a job interview if there is a longer-term opportunity or you will have an exit interview and written feedback from your employer.
New in Traineeships
Watch out for information about a new kind of traineeship – Occupational Traineeships - that are being piloted in 2021. These offer the same conditions as the current Traineeship programmes but support progression into a specific apprenticeship or occupation. The content of the traineeship will be directly aligned with the relevant apprenticeship occupational standard(s) and reflect employer recruitment criteria for live apprenticeship or job opportunities.
Stats
- 75% of trainees started in an apprenticeship, employment, or further learning within 12 months of starting the traineeship
- 33% of trainees started an apprenticeship within 12 months of starting a traineeship
- In 2017 to 2018, 66% of trainees progressed into an apprenticeship, employment or further learning in the year following the study
source: 2019 Department for Education report ‘Estimating the impact of traineeships https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/847346/Traineeships_Impact_Evaluation.pdf]
For more information:
- Find out more about Traineeships https://www.gov.uk/guidance/traineeship-information-for-trainees
- Find out how to register and create an account to apply for traineeship vacancies for the first time https://www.findapprenticeship.service.gov.uk/register
- Or log in if you already have an account https://www.findapprenticeship.service.gov.uk/signin?ReturnUrl=%2Ftraineeshipsearch
- Find out about local Traineeship vacancies on Find a Traineeship https://www.gov.uk/find-traineeship or
- ask your local college and training providers about the Traineeships they support or search their website for opportunities
- speak to your school careers advisers if you are 16 to 18 years old
- Find out more about how a Traineeship might affect your benefits by speaking to your Jobcentre adviser
- Find other general advice about Traineeships contact the National Careers Service or on 0800 100 900.
