Apprenticeships
Young Apprenticeships in Retail Skills - Step by Step Guide
- Meet with the college YA Programme Manager
An informal meeting between college and company staff can discuss the programme and what it involves.
- Appoint a responsible employee to take charge of the programme.
Each company is asked to appoint an employee to be the link person with BCOT and the mentor for the apprentices. He or she should already be police checked (Criminal Records Bureau approved) or be willing to undertake this routine and confidential procedure. The college will pay all fees.
The company mentor need not be with the apprentices all the time but they should be able to contact him or her quickly – e.g. if there is an emergency at home that requires them to leave work immediately.
- Agree the work placement
The placement is for 50 days over two years. No apprentice is sent on placement unless he or she has passed the Health and Safety Units of the Level 2 qualification. Each company is visited by the BCOT Manager to agree a programme for each apprentice. The best programmes offer the chance to do real tasks under supervision, to work shadow, to help solve problems and to do something on their own such as organising a display. The right work experience programme will help the apprentice understand what makes an effective team member and give him or her an understanding of the industry. The college will pay for any clothing and equipment and the travelling expenses of the apprentice.
The BCOT Manager will agree with the company any tasks that the apprentices must not do because of their age and experience. There are also prohibitions about using some pieces of equipment. Generally these prohibitions are just good common sense.
- Undertake a Health and Safety Assessment
The college will send someone to do this. We do not expect companies to have in place all the risk assessments for having students younger than 18 on site for extended periods. In the event of paperwork needing to be prepared the college will arrange for a fully qualified consultant to do this at no cost to the company.
Before starting a placement each Young Apprentice will have passed the Health and Safety Units in their Level 2 qualification.
- Check the company insurance
Companies are advised to inform their insurance company that students aged 14 – 16 will be on site for 50 days over two years as part of a properly regulated government programme. We have not seen any increase in premiums because of this at any of the companies participating in the programme.
- Provide an induction programme for the apprentice
The employee you appoint as the YA Mentor could do this. It involves welcoming the students to the company, explaining what the business is and its place in the retail industry, introducing the apprentices to other employees, showing them the facilities and where they can find something to drink and eat etc.
Companies may also be visited by parents who want to see where their sons and daughters are working. This can be an opportunity for PR and sales!
- Monitor the work of the apprentice
The BCOT Programme Manager will agree with the company about how the apprentice will be assessed. Companies are also asked to notify the college (or named person) immediately if an apprentice does not arrive for work on time.
