Traineeship success: First cohort will start work placements in the new year
The first cohort of trainees in 2020 at Gloucestershire College have successfully completed their eight-week training programme at the College and will be heading out on their employment placements in the new year.
Backed by the government, traineeships are designed to equip young people with the essential skills they need for employment. Traineeships are made for 16 to 24 year olds who are looking for work experience in preparation for employment or an apprenticeship.
The first traineeship cohort started their programme in October on campus at Gloucestershire College, commencing an eight-week intensive employability ‘Skills Accelerator’ course. During the programme, learners have achieved qualifications in equality and diversity, social media, online safety, and mental health and wellbeing. They have also gained a variety of transferable skills including teamwork, communication, customer service, CV writing, interviewing, managing finance, conflict management, organisation, time management, problem solving and leadership.
Our first seven trainees have graduated from their Skills Accelerator training programme and will now be joining incredible local businesses for their six-week employment placement.
The trainees have a variety of career aspirations ranging from IT to animal care, electrical, motor vehicle and catering. Through our fantastic network of employers and the commitment from businesses to help us Back Local Talent, all our trainees have secured exciting placement opportunities starting in January 2021.
Louise Webb, Employment Coach at Gloucestershire College, worked with the trainees to help secure their employment placements. She commented: “It’s been great to be involved with the traineeship scheme which not only helps to equip young people with the training and qualifications necessary for gaining future employment, but also provides a meaningful work placement element, something I feel is crucial for learning and the development of employability skills. I have really enjoyed working alongside our trainees to discuss their plans for the future and being able to match work placements to their ambitions and interest areas. Seeing our trainees get excited for their placements and the chance to gain experience in their chosen industry is really rewarding.”
Heading to IT Schools Africa, The Sober Parrot, St James City Farm Gloucester, Carla’s Captivating Content and even to Gloucestershire College as a Technician with our motor vehicle team, our trainees are looking forward to starting their work experience. During their placements, our trainees will build useful skills to help them into employment, supported throughout by our trainers at Gloucestershire College.
Carla Maclean, Owner of Carla’s Captivating Content commented: “I decided to get involved with the traineeship scheme and offer a placement for a few reasons. Firstly, I’m a firm believer in experience being best when it comes to the world of work and learning about the industry you are passionate about. I myself started out in an apprenticeship role and developed a love for the learning and development industry within that position.
“Another reason is for the benefits it can offer my young business. Not only by bringing in a fresh pair of eyes, but also a new and creative mindset to our team.
“I would recommend that any and all employers who can, should get involved and help not only to build the next generations skills, workplace confidence and industry passions. But also, to help their own businesses thrive and be innovative during these particularly difficult times.”
We wish all our trainees the best of luck with their placements and we look forward to sharing their achievements in the new year.
Sign up for a traineeship
Our next traineeship cohorts start on Monday 11 January and Monday 15 March. Designed for 16 to 24-year-olds who are looking for employment or an apprenticeship opportunity, a traineeship is a great pathway to prepare for the world of work.
Our traineeship programme allows learners to gain useful qualifications, transferable skills and real work experience with a local employer. Trainees have eight weeks with Gloucestershire College completing our Skills Accelerator programme three days a week, and then progress onto a work placement for a minimum of six weeks.
Sign up for a traineeship here: gloscol.ac.uk/traineeships
How your business can get involved with traineeships
Can your business offer a young person a work experience placement over at least six weeks or a minimum of 100 hours?
Through offering a work placement, employers can get to know a young person and see whether they have the potential to become a future apprentice or employee for their organisation. If an employer then decides to offer the individual an apprenticeship, the business can receive further government grants of up to £3,000.
Traineeships are designed to be as flexible and simple as possible so can be tailored to suit the needs of the employer and trainee with suitable part-time hours or a select few days per week.
There are no costs or fees for taking on a trainee as all costs are met by government funding. While the traineeship is not a paid position, employers can continue to expenses or pay the trainee a wage if they would like to. Plus, businesses can receive incentive payments of £1,000 per trainee they take on.
Traineeships bring enthusiastic young people into businesses and can offer extra support to employees and increased productivity during busy periods.
Taking on trainees provides current employees with experience in training and mentoring, whilst also shaping the skills and future of young people within Gloucestershire.
Traineeships are just one of the ways employers can help Back Local Talent and support the next generation. Gloucestershire College also provides Kickstart and apprenticeship opportunities allowing businesses to recruit new talent and build the pipeline of their business.
To sign up to take on a trainee, please visit: gloscol.ac.uk/trainee