About the 14-16 Engineering Apprenticeship Programme

The 14-16 Engineering Apprenticeship Programme enables you and your organisation to become involved in shaping the workforce of the future. The programme offers able and motivated pupils between the ages of 14 and 16 the chance to get a taste of real work alongside their school studies and an engineering qualification.

The Apprenticeship is a two year programme where the young person achieves an NVQ level 2 in Engineering through our accredited centre, SETA.  The awarding body, EAL provides the certificate on achievement.  Additionally, they will attend an employer for up to 50 days work experience. This is where you come in, you will get a chance to shape your work force for the future and close the skills gap through this first class system of vocational and technical learning.

The programme is aimed at capable and motivated pupils who are rigorously selected, tested and interviewed with their parents to ensure they are of the right calibre for the course.

How does the programme work?

They spend 2 days a week on the programme during their last 2 years at school. This is a mixture of a training centre and a work placement. The placement is usually one day per week and starts after the Easter break in 2010.  Over the 2-year period they will gain 50 days experience of work.

The programme is co-ordinated by the training organisation, SETA Training & Advisory Services Ltd, assessors, instructors, experienced employees, parents and the school contact. The school retains overall responsibility for the welfare at all times. Before the young person starts work, a young person’s risk assessment and Health and Safety check is carried out. This is fed back to the parents and young people.

How will the programme benefit employers?

SETA work with many Manchester and Stockport based engineering companies on the 14-16 programme including Floreeda, RKL Engineering, HellermannTyton, Mono Pumps and Brinksway Tool. 

All companies who are involved will benefit by:

• Identifying talented young people interested in your particular industry or sector and having a chance to assess their skills before you employ them.
• Offering your employees a training and coaching role, which enhances their own professional development.
• Creating positive links with educational and training institutions locally.
• Giving you an opportunity to invest in, and shape the workforce of the future.
• Allowing your company to have their input into education and training.

Pupils in the workplace

During the time pupils spend with your company they will gain many valuable skills and insights through activities and experience planned for them at work.

They will be able to develop skills and knowledge relevant to the course at college, shadow and observe other employees or gain hands-on work experience, perhaps by undertaking project work. They may gather evidence at work by completing a work diary or find out about the company and wider business sector work, which will support their learning and help them make informed career choices.

They can improve their problem solving abilities and learn about health and safety. Most of all, they learn about the world of work and working with adults, which develops their social skills and gives them the confidence to mature into a well rounded citizen.

Employer’s role

The staff who are involved with the pupils in the workplace are identified on the young person’s risk assessment and include a mentor and supervisor. 
They may carry out the following:

• Plan and agree learning targets or a training plan.
• Conduct a basic induction
• Deliver the workplace learning
• Refer any concerns to the school link
• Evaluate the pupils during the placement and provide feedback about the programme.

Our training organisation, SETA Training & Advisory Services Ltd, provides all information and support they need to deliver the workplace element of the 14-16 Apprenticeship. This includes guidelines for child protection and insurance.

Please contact Helen Wilson on 07545 735 171 or E-mail: hwilson@setatraining.com to find out more about the 14-16 Engineering Apprenticeship Programme.