A traineeship is a skills development programme designed to give learners the skills and confidence they need to progress into work with training (preferably an apprenticeship) and vary from 6 weeks up to 1 year, though most traineeships last for less than 6 months.
Training includes:
- High quality work placement lasting 70-240 hours with an employer
- Work preparation training with training provider/college
- English and maths, if qualified below level 2, and digital training with a training provider
- Optional sector focussed technical and professional qualifications to help learners prepare for occupational standards within apprenticeship
- You can study up to and including L3 qualifications.
Who can apply?
Traineeships are designed for young people aged between 16 and 24 and for young people with education, health and care plans or Learning Difficulty Assessments up to academic age 25, who are ready and motivated to move into employment but do not yet have the appropriate skills or experience to do so.
They allow trainees up to 6 months to achieve a defined successful outcome if they cannot progress to one straight away. Being ready for an apprenticeship or other employment within 6 months of completing a traineeship is linked to the definitions for successful outcomes.
Traineeships are not intended for:
- the most disengaged young people, who require very intensive support.
- those who already have the qualifications, skills and experience needed to start an apprenticeship or find work
- those already in full-time employment
Traineeships are fully funded by the government. Neither learners nor employers are required to make any financial contribution to them.
If you’re unsure of your options or want to find out more about A levels, speak to individual schools or colleges offering A levels or speak to a qualified careers adviser through your school, college or other provider, local authority or via the National Careers Service.
