Apprentice FAQ’s
Am I eligible for an Apprenticeship?
You are eligible for an Apprenticeship as long as you meet the following criteria. You just need to have been living in England for the past 3 years, not be enrolled on another funded qualification, spend more than 50% of your working time in England and hold an NI number.
Am I eligible for an Apprenticeship if I am over 25?
Presidency London College has access to different funding which allows you to work towards an Apprenticeship. Please see a Business Development Advisor for more information as certain criteria must be met.
Are there different types of Apprenticeships?
Yes, there are different types of Apprenticeships and available. Which Apprenticeship is right for you will depend on your experience and the opportunities with your employer. However, most Apprenticeships include the following basic elements: An appropriate Qualification Credit Framework (QCF) at either Level 2 or Level 3; Functional Skills qualifications, e.g. working in teams, problem-solving, English, Maths and ICT; Other qualifications or requirements as specified by the particular occupation. Advanced Apprenticeships can also be a stepping-stone to university.
How long does it take?
A fully funded Apprenticeship is a minimum of a yearlong course; you are required to commit to a minimum of 12 months in order to achieve your certificate. An Advanced Apprenticeship can take anywhere between 15 and 18 months.
How much time do I have to commit?
We advise you to have the commitment to spend at least 4 hours of your own time each week, which can be during work hours and go towards your 20% off the job training required as part of your Apprenticeship.
How often am I assessed?
Your Training Specialist will visit you for a minimum of 1½ hour assessments, once a month.
How do Apprenticeships work?
Your employer pays your wages and gives you on-the-job training which allows you to achieve the Apprenticeship. You’ll also spend time with a Presidency London College Training Specialist, gaining Functional Skills. The amount of time you’ll spend studying varies; and will depend on your chosen Apprenticeship and your chosen profession.
Where does the assessment take place?
All the assessments are carried out at work, mostly as you do your daily job.
Is there any day release?
No, not for assessments, however you may be required to attend our office in White City, London to sit Functional Skills tests and onscreen assessments for some Knowledge elements.
Who will assess me?
A specially trained, fully qualified Training Specialist who has considerable experience in the industry and who has helped many others achieve these qualifications.
Will I have to do any writing?
Yes. You will be asked to give answers to questions about how you do your job and write about things that have happened.
What if my writing skills aren’t very good?
Don’t worry, if you prefer we can always use recordings or our Training Specialists will help you without any embarrassment.
What sort of person is accepted on an Apprenticeship?
Applicants need to be: Serious, committed, aware of your responsibilities to both yourself and your company, prepared for further study, realistic about the amount of work you may have to do, happy to work as both part of a team and an individual, able to use your own initiative.
Will I fail?
You don’t fail an Apprenticeship…. you might not achieve if you refuse to cooperate with the Training Specialist, or leave the programme without letting us know where you are going. The Training Specialist carries on assessing until you have proved you are competent within the national standards in order to complete your End Point Assessment within an Apprenticeship standard.
Why should I bother?
Why not? You have the chance to gain a nationally recognised qualification that recognises the skills and knowledge that you have acquired whilst doing your job.
What qualifications do I get when I’ve finished my Apprenticeship?
You’ll get a package of qualifications when you finish your Apprenticeship – a Qualification Credit Certificate (Where applicable) and Functional Skill qualifications. Most Apprenticeships incorporate either a Level 2 or Level 3 BTEC Diploma.
What choice of Apprenticeships do I have?
At Presidency London College the following Apprenticeship programmes are available. If your chosen occupational area doesn’t appear, please ask, we may be able to provide it for you, or point you in the right direction to someone who does.
How do I get started?
You must complete your Apprenticeship to get the qualifications, so you need to make sure that you’re serious about your chosen career and can commit yourself to a period of training and study. Complete the application form supplied by Presidency London College, hand it back to your employer to return to us and we will do the rest. You will be contacted within 10-14 days to complete the enrolment procedure, For more information, please call us on 020 3784 6005, or send an email to: info@presidencylondon.co.uk