Learner

Faqs - Learner

1. Who are VT Training?

VT Training is one of the UK’s largest training providers offering government funded apprenticeships to 16-24 year olds.

We have over 500 specialist trainers in over 20 offices nationwide ready to assist the training and development of your young staff.

Established in 1993, VT Training currently has over 18,000 learners on work-based learning programmes.

2. What do VT Training do?

We offer training, support and innovative programmes for work-based learning, ensuring you the learner achieve apprenticeship qualifications.

3. What is an Apprenticeship?

It is a work-based training programme for 16-24 year-olds which lets you learn and earn in a real job to achieve a real qualification at the end of it. As well as teaching a trade, it teaches general law and skills that you need as an employee.

4. Do I have to be in a job to do it?

It’s really better for you to be employed while doing an NVQ as it’s a work-based training programme, where you learn on the job.

5. Why do employers rate apprenticeships?

Because they get to train you in a practical, professional way right from the start, they get to see what you’re like in practice, not just on paper and they know that you’re trained to a national standard.

6. How much will I earn as an apprentice?

If you’re employed, you’ll be paid at least the minimum wage depending on your age. If you’re not employed but on a placement you are still entitled to earn a small allowance.

7. What do I have to do to achieve an apprenticeship?

There are four main parts to your apprenticeship/advanced apprenticeship:

An NVQ is chosen to suit your job role, responsibilities and career progression, either at Level 2 or 3 respectively. It is specific to your current role.
Key Skills are a part of a government initiative to raise skill levels in up to six areas (depending on the route chosen) - Portfolio and multiple choice tests are completed on site to ensure that both performance and knowledge standards are met at the necessary level. -Learners cover standards through project work associated with your business to the ultimate benefit of both parties.
Essential Knowledge – During the initial stages focus is on Employment Rights and Responsibilities (ERR) to cover legislation and statutory information affecting learners, career progression and Equal Opportunities.
Technical certificates are chosen to suit the learner's qualifications and career progression. This off-job training enhances a learner's knowledge and competence in a chosen field and is assessed by the appropriate industry body via coursework and a final test.

To get the full apprenticeship, you will have to complete each part. Your vocational coach will talk you through it in depth when you meet.

8. What do I get in the end?

If you complete all four parts, you’ll get an apprenticeship completion certificate as well as certificates awarded for completion of each of the individual parts of your apprenticeship, so you should end up with several certificates and nationally recognised qualifications to kick start your career.

9. What is an NVQ?

It’s a work-based qualification that gives you a chance to learn a trade, and be paid at the same time.

10. What does NVQ mean?

‘National’ – because it’s recognised as standard all over the UK
‘Vocational’ – i.e. ‘occupational’, because it’s a work-based qualification
‘Qualification’ – depending on your level, it can equate to a GCSE, A Level or even a degree

11. Do I have to start at the bottom and work my way up? Do I need to have qualifications already, to get on a programme?

No. The more experience and qualifications you have, the higher the level of NVQ you can take.

12. What will an apprenticeship / NVQ do for me?

It boosts your earning potential, shows your employer you’re dedicated, demonstrates that you are capable at doing your job and increases your knowledge.

13. What If I already have a job?

It’s really better for you to be employed while doing an NVQ as it’s a work-based training programme, where you learn on the job. We would talk to you to arrange a suitable course of action and your employer to get you sorted.

14. What qualifications are available?

Please see our ‘Qualification’ link on our site.

15. Are there different levels of qualifications?

VT Training delivers qualifications range from Level 1 through to Level 5. VT Training work with Level 2 through to Level 3 only.

16. How will I know which apprenticeship I should do?

On your initial meeting with your vocational coach you will go through what we call an ‘initial assessment’ this is designed to help to give you and your vocational coach a view of:-

How you learn – we all have a preferred learning style
What you already know – and so which level of NVQ and key skills you should do

17. How do I get an apprenticeship? How will my programme be delivered?

It’s not like school or college, where getting a qualification comes down to how much you cram. Assessment for your apprenticeship isn’t just based on how much you can remember or how well you perform on the day – but on how well you work and learn your trade over a longer period of time. So if you have an ‘off’ day, unlike at college, it won’t decide your future.

18. How will I be assessed?

Collecting evidence – products, photos, witness testaments
Being observed – by your vocational coach while you work
Questions and answers – to check your understanding

19. How many NVQs can I do?

This is dependent on the job you do and varies in each industry. Your vocational coach will explain this in depth when you meet.

20. Wouldn’t it be better if I went to college?

One of the main advantages of work-based learning is that you are earning while you are learning and getting a qualification at the same time.

21. Will there be tests & exams?

Yes, it depends on any maths or english GCSEs you hold at what grades and dates, you may need to do key skills – completed at your place of work. You will also have to do technical certificates. For both key skills and technical certificates you will find the training is mostly off the job, when you down tools and go back to college or a separate conference room to be taught what you need to know.

22. What is a technical certificate?

It’s a qualification that focuses on one specific topic related to your trade. There are many different technical certificates and each one focuses on a different topic (unlike your NVQ, which covers a lot of topics). Your NVQ will teach you your trade, but your technical certificate will teach you the theory and the rules that underpin your trade – e.g. health & safety, food hygiene.

23. Why do I need technical certificates?

To make sure that you do your job without breaking the law! Imagine, for example, a chef who makes great food, but doesn’t separate raw meat from cooked in the fridge!!!

24. What are key skills?

They are general, i.e. not trade-specific, everyday abilities that everybody needs to work well in their jobs. There are three key skills:

Communication
Application of number
Information communication technology

They all involve tests and portfolio work.

25. Will it cost me / will I earn money doing it?

That’s the great thing, you earn while you learn. You continue to do your daily job but at the same time you’re doing your qualification.

26. Can anyone do an apprenticeship?

To be eligible you must:

Have a national insurance number
Not be attending full or part-time education funded by the government
Not hold a graduate degree

27. What happens when I finish my programme?

You will receive your certificates and portfolio back and progress to another level if you wish.

28. Can I still do a programme if I have special learning needs?

Yes, VT Training is an equal opportunities employer and applications are invited from members of any ethnic group, gender, sexual orientation and those with disabilities.

29. Do I have to wait until September to start a programme? When can I start?

With the agreement of your employer you can start a programme at anytime you wish to.

30. How many hours will I have to put in at home to complete the qualification?

You need to show dedication, commitment and be adaptable. The hours you put in all depends on you. Your vocational coach will be able to help you with this decision.

31. Will my employer let me see my vocational coach / take exams while I am on shift?

This is something that VT Training will agree with your employer prior to commencing your qualification.