Taking on an apprenticeship opportunity in automotive will help kick-start you career and open up a range of job roles for you to build and establish a career in, in what is becoming a fast changing sector.
Whether you're looking to find your niche in something technical like accident and repair or you're open to exploring non-technical job roles ie customer service or sales, apprenticeships are a great place to start and will help to evolve and hone your skill-set.
Benefits of becoming an apprentice
Undertaking an apprenticeship role within a company will enable you to learn on the job whilst earning a salary. You will be nurtured and guided by experienced colleagues in the sector, gradually learning new skills.
By becoming an apprentice you will be able to:
- Earn while you learn
- Gain real work experience
- Develop new skills
- Improve your employability
- Open up industry opportunities
- Access subject-specific learning platforms
Apprenticeship standards vs apprenticeship frameworks
If you are considering an apprenticeship, you may have seen references to both apprenticeship frameworks and apprenticeship standards.
Frameworks are knowledge and competence-based qualifications that are undertaken via quality assured training. Standards focus on a number of gateways and an End-Point Assessment with an approved assessment organisation.
The government has documented that all frameworks will be withdrawn by the 2020-2021 academic year, with all new starts from 1 August 2020 involving standards rather than frameworks.
The table below details some of the key similarities and differences between the two programmes.
Frameworks | Standards |
---|---|
The Apprentice | The Apprentice |
Attend off-the-job training by the provider Visited by the provider in the workplace. |
Attend off-the-job training by the provider Visited by the provider in the workplace Compile evidence of tasks completed in the workplace Undertake annual behavioural assessments and gateway tests Complete an End-Point Assessment |
The Training Provider | The Training Provider |
Deliver a structured off the job training programme Visit the apprentice in the workplace Provide coaching and support in the workplace |
Deliver a structured off the job training programme Provide gateway assessments Typically host the End-Point Assessments Provide support in the workplace, for the employer and the apprentice Contribute to the annual behavioural assessments of the apprentice |
The Employer | The Employer |
Allocate a mentor to support the apprentice | Allocate a mentor to support the apprentice Review progress and readiness for End-Point Assessment Contribute to the annual behavioural assessments of the apprentice |
Beginning an apprenticeship standard, you automatically qualify you for a free student membership of the IMI on registration, followed by a year’s worth of free membership upon successful completion.
Apply to become an apprentice
Apprenticeships have different entry requirements, time frames and levels depending on whether they are undertaken in England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland.
Therefore it is important to check the details of the specific apprenticeship you are interested in before you apply.