The government has published the framework for the delivery of its new traineeships later this year. Traineeships are short courses run with employers that are intended to form a “stepping stone” to Apprenticeships and other jobs for students aged 16 to 19.
They are to be available from August 2013 and are to be delivered by education providers in conjunction with employers.
The idea is that students who are not ready to apply for an Apprenticeship can instead take the six-month course, which will include a substantial work placement of at least six weeks as well as work skills training.
Students will also receive support to improve their English and maths to GCSE A* to C level if they have not already attained this.
The Framework, published this week, says the “core target” for traineeships are young people not currently in a job and with little work experience or qualified below Level 3.
It says schools will play an “important role in referring interested people onto traineeships”.
It states: “The core content of traineeships will be a high quality work placement, work preparation training and English and maths. Providers and employers will have the freedom to bring these elements together in the best way to engage and support individual trainees.
“We expect that functional skills will be the most appropriate qualifications for trainees to study in the first instance. We would expect young people to continue and complete these qualifications, together with any vocational qualifications they have begun, as part of their wider study programme.”
The Association of Teachers and Lecturers, said it was pleased with the development. General secretary Dr Mary Bousted said: “The traineeships must encourage and be equally accessible to all young people, female and male, ethnic minorities, those with disabilities or from disadvantaged families.
“Many further education colleges are already running successful training programmes for young people and we hope the traineeships build on those. It is essential that the trainees are given work placements and these are fully supported by employers otherwise they will be of little value.”
For more on traineeships, visit www.education.gov.uk/traineeships