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| Apprenticeships - 2. Apprentices Guide |
Apprentices Guide
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2.01: Introduction
This guide is intended to
provide you with information concerning your apprenticeship,
your rights and obligations throughout your training. We
trust that we have provided sufficient information to answer
most of the questions you may have but should you need further
information you may ask your employer, your college tutor, or
contact SITO National Training Programmes Department
(Telephone 01905 20004).
2.02: Benefits and Obligations
The
apprenticeship you are embarking upon is a relatively new
initiative for the security industry and regarded by many as
the most important training development ever to be
introduced. The drive towards regulation of the industry
and mandatory qualifications for employees means that gaining
industry relevant qualifications will become essential for
those wishing to pursue a career in security.
Your
apprenticeship provides a 'one off' opportunity to gain
experience and qualifications which will form the foundation
for a successful career in the growing and technologically
changing security industry.
Having completed the
apprenticeship and gained the qualifications no-one can take
them away from you. You will have proved that you are
competent and 'all doors will remain be potentially open to
you'.
To ensure your success you must play your
part. You must complete all the elements of the
apprenticeship and, yes, sometimes you will need to do some of
the work in your own time. However, this should not be
too onerous if you keep on top of things. You must also
co-operate with your employers and tutors and drive your
programme in concert with all those available to
help you.
2.03: SITO -
Who are we?
We are the premier training organisation for all matters relating to skills
required by the numerous sectors of the security
industry. Fundamentally we have, in conjunction with
employers, developed the NVQs and other awards of the
industry. Subsequently we were asked by the Department
for Education and Skills (DfES) to produce a national
Apprenticeship framework. In relation to your
situation we have developed the Co-operative initiative to
provide opportunities for people like yourselves to gain
employment and access Apprentice training.
2.04: Funding - London East
Learning and Skills Council LELSC
LELSC are based in Stratford in
East London, they are an institution which supports training
for young people in that area and were the first Learning and
Skills Council to support the Security System Training
Co-operative. LELSC have agreed to act as a funding
agency for the Co-operative Network, supporting all co-operatives and
all the trainees.
In accordance with this commitment,
SITO have a contract with LELSC to supply
Apprenticeship places and training to young people in the
industry across the Network. We manage all aspects
of your training. This is done by sub-contracting the actual
practical and theoretical training to your employer and the
college/training provider respectively.
It is our
responsibility to ensure that you receive sufficient
opportunities to develop and demonstrate the skills required
for you to achieve the ultimate Apprenticeship outcomes. We need to
ensure that you make steady progress and we make sure your
health and safety at work is looked after, in concert with
your employer.
2.05: Overview of the Training
Programme
Your training programme is designed as an
integral process of vocational education and practical skills
development. Your programme is a five day a week job for
the duration of the scheme. You should not regard the
apprenticeship as being merely that time that you spend at
college.
The time you spend at college is intended to
provide you with the underpinning knowledge, or theoretical,
education necessary for your intended career. The work
that you undertake with your employer is intended to provide
you with the opportunity to develop the skills, speed, and
confidence you need if you are to become fully
competent.
Your training plan defines the course you
will follow and the college or training provider you will
attend, the examinations you must pass, and the NVQ
qualifications you must gain during your
apprenticeship.
2.06: Training Stage 1 -
The 1851 (Theoretical Knowledge) and NVQ Level 2
The 1851 provides you with the
underpinning knowledge that a competent and skilled engineer
in the industry should have. The NVQ level 2 is awarded
to recognise that you have demonstrated the skills
needed by a tradesperson in the security system installation
sector of the industry.
These two skill areas will be
developed side by side, the theory will be taught by a college
or training provider during your day release and the practical
skills required by the NVQ will also be taught. These
latter skills will be practised and improved upon during your
normal day to day work, in the remainder of the
week.
Training Stage 2 - The NVQ Level 3
The
practical skills of this award will be developed in the later
stages of your training both at college and at work. The level
3 requires you to be able to fulfil all the skill requirements
a fully skilled technician in the industry.
Key
Skills
These are the skills that the Government believes
every adult should have; no matter what their job is
. They are at levels graded from 1 to 5.
The
key skill levels required by the industry are currently:
Communications Level 2
Application of Number Level 2
Information Technology (IT) Level 1
Again you
will be given ample opportunity to develop and demonstrate
your abilities at these levels. These will be separately
certificated but they are also a requisite component of
the Apprenticeship.
2.07: College requirements
Whichever college
or training provider is used by your co-operate you will be
required to attend all classes and complete any homework or
assignments set, and on time.
College days should be
regarded as normal work days, subject to the same rules as any
other work day. You should be aware that absence and
lateness is reported to you employer on the day that it
occurs.
The college/training provider will monitor you
timekeeping, attendance, and progress and provide regular
reports to the your employer, the co-operative management
committee, and SITO.
Whilst at college you must:
Attend every day you are required to do so and on time
Have your portfolio with you (failure to do so will be
reported to employers)
Observe college/training provider regulations
Complete all tasks set, and on time
Observe health and safety regulations, including ensuring
that you are
properly and safely
dressed during workshop/practical periods
Never do anything which endangers yourself or others
Ensure that your mobile telephone is turned off during
classes
Not take holidays, routine dental/medical appointments,
driving lessons or
tests etc during
college periods
During your college based course you
will be expected to pass the examinations relevant to your
apprenticeship. You must therefore ensure that you are
ready and capable of passing the examinations when they are
due. Failure to do so may well mean that you will not be
successful in completing your apprenticeship.
2.08: Work
based requirements
During the course
of your programme you will be required to gain NVQ
qualification at Levels 2 and 3.
To demonstrate that you
are competent you must build up a portfolio of evidence throughout your
apprenticeship to show you are competent to Level 2 standard for Apprenticeships and Level 3 for Advanced Apprenticeships.
Your college tutor
will provide further details and on-going guidance to help you
complete your portfolio of evidence. It is important
that you complete your portfolio regularly throughout your
apprenticeship. 'Little and often' is far better than
having to complete the whole thing during the last few weeks
of your programme.
Each co-operative member company has
an Expert Witness who is available to help you complete your
portfolio in the workplace by observing you at work, examining
work you have undertaken, asking questions, reading your job
reports etc, and 'signing off' evidence you present.
However, whilst your Expert Witness (EW) will assist you, you
must remember that it is your qualification and you must work
with your EW to achieve your NVQ.
Your college/training
provider tutors are responsible for ensuring that you are
registered with the awarding body governing your NVQ awards,
assessing your portfolio of evidence, conducting some on-site
assessments of you and your work and completing your NVQ
candidates log book. For all these reasons it is vital
that your complete your portfolio and ensure that you take
your portfolio each time you attend college.
2.09: Monitoring your progress through
your apprenticeship
Your progress through the apprenticeship
will be monitored regularly by:-
SITO representative every eight to ten weeks.
Progress to date will be discussed and targets for NVQ achievement will be
agreed with you. You must have your portfolio available at this review.
At the same time health and safety, equal opportunity, and other issues will
be discussed. A copy of the review report will be given to you and sent to
SITO and your employer.
By your employer and EW providing SITO with monthly reports concerning
your attendance at work and college, and any issues relating to your health
and safety, employment etc.
Your college/training provider also produces regular reports concerning your
progress through the course, your attendance and timekeeping, attitude etc.
These reports are sent to SITO and your employer.
A SITO representative will also monitor your health and safety by means of
an on-site visit every six months.
Please note that the monitoring process is intended to assist you to complete your apprenticeship with the minimum of difficulty by identifying and addressing problems early.
2.10: Difficulties and Grievances
As you
are aware you are a permanent, full time employee of the
company you work for and are entitled to all normal rights and
conditions of employment. We expect you to behave
correctly at work but we also require your employer to give
you fair opportunity to resolve any problems or
grievances. If, however, you believe that you are unable
to sort out any matter through your work channels (and it is a
reasonable grievance), you can bring the matter to our
attention and we will mediate, impartially, as
appropriate. SITO will record details of the problem and
any subsequent action.
If necessary we will enlist the
assistance of LELSC, who will again offer an impartial
arbitration service.
Full details of how to contact us
and LELSC are listed below.
Equal Opportunities
Both SITO and your employer are committed to the principle of equal opportunities for all apprentices irrespective of ethnicity, gender or religious persuasion. Accordingly, all apprentices are afforded the protection of the:
Race Relations Act 1976
Sex Discrimination Act 1975
Disabilities Discrimination Act 1995
Whilst apprentices benefit from the protection afforded by Equal Opportunities legislation, it is important that they realise their responsibilities in relation to EO. Where apprentices breach the principles of this policy, they may be subject to disciplinary action.
SITO also seeks to ensure that trainees do not suffer any form of harrassment at work by adopting the following policy:
Harassment at work
This
section of this introductory information gives guidance on the
SITO policy relating to harassment and it covers sexual
harassment, bullying, intimidation and
humiliation.
Conduct of a sexual nature and any other
conduct including that of superiors or colleagues that affects
the dignity of trainees, of either sex, at work or any other
establishment providing training, is unacceptable
if:
a) such conduct is unwanted, unreasonable and
offensive to the recipient.
b) the recipient's
rejection or submission to such conduct is used explicitly or
implicitly as a basis for a decision affecting the person's
access to vocational training, employment, continued
employment, promotion, salary or other employment
decisions.
c) such conduct creates an intimidating,
hostile or humiliating work environment for the
recipient.
2.11: Guidance
The person on the receiving end
of any type of behaviour must decide whether he or she finds
it unacceptable. This is a personal decision and it does
not matter if other people accept the
behaviour.
Procedures
a) Make it clear to the
individual(s) concerned that you object, if necessary in
writing.
b) Keep a record of
incidents.
c) Report harassment to someone in
authority.
d) If necessary seek help (At work, college
or through the contacts listed in this
document).
e) Follow up the
complaint.
Advice
If you need any further
information please speak to your tutor or to John Stanton, Noel
Sargent or Sarah Wise at SITO. Our address is SITO Ltd,
Security House, Barbourne Road Worcester, WR1 1RS.
Telephone 01905 20004.
LELSC Helpline 0800 652 6666
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