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| Apprenticeships - 1. How the Scheme Works |
How the Scheme Works -
SITO Co-operative Network
Apprentices
The apprentices are registered with London East Learning and Skills Council (LELSC). The scheme runs for approximately three years; during this time the apprentices, who have employed status, receive training with the employer for four days a week, and attend a local FE College or Training Provider one day a week. The North West Training Co-operative (NOWCO) and the West Yorkshire Training Co-operative (WEYCO) operate a block release system in which the apprentices attend College for six separate weeks in the year. The apprentices will complete the Apprenticeship Framework which consists of:
1852 Knowledge of Security & Emergency Alarm Systems -
a SITO/City &
Guilds award covering
the theoretical underpinning knowledge requirements
NVQ in Fire, Security and Emergency Alarm Systems Level 2
NVQ in Security Systems Technical Service Level 3
Key Skills (National Qualifications) in Application of
Number, IT
and Communications.
The apprentices are employed under
standard conditions and are full-time employees of the
company. They must fully comply with all training
demands and reasonable rules and regulations. They must
be trained and assessed to the NVQ standards during 'normal'
working hours.
The College or Training Provider
The College or Training Provider provides much of the theoretical knowledge required by the apprentice and develops the practical skills through a tailor-made course designed around the Apprenticeship Framework. This includes the provision of Key Skills in Communication, Application of Number and IT. The College is also responsible for participating in, and overseeing, the assessment process for the NVQs and works closely with the Co-operative management committee and a nominated trained expert witness in each company.
The Employer
The company employs the apprentice and
provides practical training and supervision in the
workplace. The trainee will be given a portfolio which
is used to provide the evidence he will need to achieve the
standard required by the NVQs. The company must nominate
an expert witness (often the supervisor of the trainee) who
will be responsible, under the guidance of the College
assessor, for assisting the trainee to complete the portfolio
and for verifying some of the collection of evidence. A
training course (usually one day) will be provided to enable
the expert witness to fulfil this role. In addition, the employer:
will be asked to complete an attendance
record at the end of
every accounting
period (approximately each month) and return it to SITO
on request.
must allow SITO, the College assessor, and
the LSC
reasonable access to their
premises and to work-sites to conduct
assessments, health & safety audits, and to monitor the
progress of
the trainee.
must inform SITO of any accident or health
and safety incident
involving the
apprentice, and complete documentation as
required.
Peripatetic Associate Assessors/Mentors
In September 2001 SITO reduced the assessment burden on the employers and apprentices by introducing a number of peripatetic associate assessors. The Associate Assessor will visit the trainee regularly to conduct a review of the trainee's progress, NVQ assessments, and conduct a H&S monitoring review, as well as provide assistance and advice for the expert witness. These reviews and visits are a contractual requirement of the LSC who provide the funding. We would ask that you ensure your trainee is available on the visit days so that the Assessor does not have a wasted journey.
Funding
Funding for the
Apprenticeship is provided by LELSC. The funding is
usually sufficient to enable the apprentice to fully complete the
Apprenticeship and
also for the expert witness to attend a short training
course.
Note: This cannot be guaranteed
indefinitely, and there may be a charge in future years,
though hopefully this would be
minimal.
SITO
SITO is responsible for
the Cooperative Network and is contracted with the LSC to
supply the training which, in fact, is sub-contracted to the
employers and the college. SITO deals with the major
administration of the scheme, including correlating
information from the documentation supplied by the companies
(as described earlier). They advise the co-operatives on
contractual compliance and are in overall, day to day, control
of training matters. With much of the administrative
burden removed, the employer is free to concentrate on
developing the skills of his young trainees and carrying on
the business. The SITO National Training Programmes
department costs are paid out of the total Government
funding.
The LSC
The LELSC channels the government funding for the training through SITO. They continually monitor the performance of the Managing Agent and the trainees. They have overall control relating to the funding and reporting requirements. The LSC emphasises the importance of the apprentices achieving the NVQs and completing the Modern Apprenticeship framework, as this is the basis of the funding.
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