Traineeships bring benefits to young and workplaces

TRAINEESHIPS are setting scores of young people on the path to securing employment.

At Fareham College the scheme has been supporting young people aged between 16 and 24 years to enhance their knowledge and confidence before finding work or starting apprenticeships.

The traineeship programmes are between 10 and 12 weeks long and are specifically designed to help develop vital employability skills, enabling students to stand out to employers.

Providing a mixture of in-classroom learning covering a variety of topics and subjects, participants also study maths and English, followed by work experience on an industry placement.

A traineeship provides all the support young people need to progress on to an apprenticeship, into employment or further learning.

It also brings benefits to businesses, as the employers can claim £1,000 per work experience placement.

Traineeship participant Mia Woodford progressed on to a Level 3 Business Administration Apprenticeship after undertaking a traineeship in Digital Skills for Business.

The 18-year-old from Gosport said: ‘The training was really good and gave me the knowledge and skills I needed to secure an apprenticeship, which means I earn while I learn.

‘I would recommend doing a traineeship as it really helped me to gain additional knowledge, including English and maths functional skills qualifications, and is the perfect springboard on to an apprenticeship.’

Erin Holland, 18, from Drayton, also completed an apprenticeship in Digital Skills for Business and is now undertaking a Level 2 Recruitment Apprenticeship with Highgrove Recruitment.

She said: ‘After successfully completing the traineeship, I was offered an apprenticeship.

‘I’d definitely recommend undertaking a traineeship if, like me, you are not sure if what you would like to do next; it certainly provided me with the boost I needed to restart my education and career.’

Sarah Holmes, lead professional coach traineeships at Fareham College, said: ‘Traineeships are a great option if you are looking to advance your education and work experience, gaining further qualifications through a work-based learning style.

‘We provide our students with a range of additional support during their programme, which helps them to get to where they want to be.

‘Traineeships are a great option if you are not currently in employment, training, or education, hold qualifications at Level 3 (traditionally A Levels or BTECs) or below, are enthusiastic, reliable, and ready to start or develop your career.

‘One of the biggest benefits of a traineeship is that you will gain work experience in an industry you are interested in. We work closely with a number of employers from a diverse range of industries.’

Fareham College currently offers traineeships in Digital Skills for Business and Construction and it hopes to provide additional traineeships in areas such as customer service and warehousing soon. For more go to fareham. ac.uk

IN BUSINESS Trainee Mia Woodford, who completed a traineeship in Digital Skills for Business We're off to a great start with our 100 in 100 campaign – seven weeks after it was launched, 18 employers in the Portsmouth area have already committed to taking on a total of 31 young people. Could you join them? Here's our roll of honour so far: Really B2B - marketing agency based at Lakeside, North Harbour Portsmouth Diocese - Church of England area covering 139 parishes STS Defence - technology and engineering business based in Gosport Eaton Aerospace - aerospace company based in Bedhampton Transalis - business solutions company based in Portsmouth Portsmouth Water - utility company responsible for water supply and distribution Morris Crocker - chartered accountants based in Havant Highbury College - further education college in Cosham Tax Assist - accountancy firm in Portsmouth Yellow Strawberry - hairdressing salon in Hayling Island *Apprenticeships via training provider Highbury College South Western Railway – train operating company that runs services in south west London and southern counties of England and on the Isle of Wight Aspire Bookkeeping - an accountants in Fareham *Apprenticeships via training provider Fareham College Puddleduck Day Nursery - children's nursery in Milton - The John Doyle Partnership – accountants in Southsea Highfield Professional Solutions - an employment agency in Durley Activ8 Minds - an after-school programme in Emsworth *Apprenticeships via training provider Portsmouth College Castle Pre-School, Cosham Jackson and Green - accountants, business and tax advisers in Cosham *Apprenticeships via training provider HSDC For more information go to shapingportsmouth. co.uk - or to register an interest e-mail contactus@ shapingportsmouth.co.uk Alternatively go to solentapprenticeshiphub.com