Benefits of being an apprentice

Levelling up through an apprenticeship is an excellent way to get experience. It’s also a good way to get your foot in the door of a prospective job. We asked Ren about her experiences with us doing her apprenticeship in Cyber Security.

Ren’s story

I started my apprenticeship with YOU in September 2021 as a Digital Support Technician. I’d never worked in an office before and, due to COVID, I didn’t think it likely I would. The opportunity to leave my previous industry, get fully qualified and trained on the job, seemed too good to be true! But I decided to go for it and I’m really glad I did.

YOU’s team have really supported me all the way and they’re really invested and committed to my learning. I was initially nervous about the prospect of re-entering academia after working for a few years. But it was a completely painless experience.

Learning was tailored to me with the majority of my classes involving online sessions with trainers and independent study. This meant I was in control of my own time! In a short space of time I feel like I’ve made great headways into the industry. This has a lot to do with how accommodating the learning team has been. Initially, I had negative, preconceived ideas about being an apprentice. But I can honestly say now it was the right decision for me.

Levelling up

Before I become an apprentice, I wasn’t sure what to do. I was weighing up a full-time education at university with meaningful work experience. I realised that academically it would be impossible for me to perform as well as I would have wanted to. I feel like at YOU I’m really able to focus on self-development. And I get to work with some amazing colleagues as well!

Being part of an organisation that does so much for people in my local community, and even further, is wonderful. I’m really proud to support our staff and the work they do in my own small way. I aim to get my Distinction and progress into a higher-level apprenticeship in Cyber Security.

More info on apprenticeships

Are you looking for an exciting and rewarding career, that makes a difference to people’s lives whilst studying to gain a nationally recognised qualification? Then a You Trust Support Worker Apprenticeship might be for you.

Weekly wage: £250.00

Working week: Shift work (Monday-Sunday) Working hours: Variable – Dependant on Shift and service placement. Shifts TBC.

Total hours per week: 40.00hrs

Expected duration: 18 months

Possible start date: 30 Aug 2021

Apprenticeship level: Intermediate. Level 2 (GCSE)

Locations

Please note that while these positions are within YOU, you need to apply via the GOV.UK portal.

Winchester

Odiham

New Milton

Duties:

I will work alongside my colleagues and with you to discuss your dreams and goals
I will be guided by staff and yourself to help you to develop the skills you need to enable you to live the life you want, including things like cooking, cleaning, budgeting and shopping
Guided by my colleagues, I will listen to your wishes for your plan of support, work with you to keep you safe
I will work with my colleagues and with you to help you apply for any benefits that you are entitled to
Guided by my colleagues I will make sure that everyone you want is involved, or needs to be involved, in your support are kept up to date on the work we’ve done together
I take responsibility for developing my own skills and ensure that my mandatory training is up to date, and I will learn new skills that we agree I need
I will follow the Training Plan as required by my Apprenticeship Provider to ensure that I will achieve my apprenticeship
I will attend to all personal care needs, in line with your individual requirements and guidance from my colleagues
I will use specialist equipment to ensure all care needs are met as guided by my colleagues
I will follow requirements of the Care Plan, Support plan, Risk Management plan etc. as appropriate
I will encourage individuals to participate in activities and support individuals in those activities
I will develop/contribute to the development of activities that are of benefit/interest to the individual with guidance from my colleagues
I will work in line with all policies and procedures, e.g. safeguarding, infection control, health and safety etc.
I will work as a keyworker
I will participate and contribute to your reviews with guidance from my colleagues
I will learn to complete and maintain documentation relevant to the service and to you with guidance from my colleagues
I will highlight any areas of concern to a member of staff
I will maintain a clean and tidy environment

Requirements and prospects

Desired skills

Understand promoting independence
Understand the importance of completing paperwork such as support plans and risk assessments
Basic understanding of the needs of people with a learning disability
Prepared to support clients with daily living skills
Good communication skills: verbal, non verbal, and written
Understand confidentiality and how this applies to clients
Be flexible and able to work shifts including evenings, weekends and bank holidays
Use the Electronic Care Monitoring system to ensure individual and service contracts are met

Personal qualities

Must be supportive
Have a calm and tolerant approach
Empathy is essential
Must be able to be supportive
Must be positive and responsive
Caring and compassionate
Desired qualifications
GCSE (or equivalent) grade A*-C/9-4 including maths and English

Future prospects

Possible progression for the right candidate

Things to consider

DBS checks will be conducted
Market Rate allowance granted alongside salary (where geographically applicable)
The Apprenticeship National Minimum Wage guide (ANMW)

Locations

Please note that while these positions are within YOU, you need to apply via the GOV.UK portal.

Odiham

Winchester

New Milton

Jess talks about her apprenticeship and how it has helped her grow in her career and improved her clients’ lives.

I started working for YOU four years ago. At the beginning, I completed my Care Certificate which massively helped me and gave me that boost of confidence I needed when it came to do My Apprenticeship for Level 3 Health and Social Care.

I found the company have always been on hand to support me in this process. I tended to doubt myself and my knowledge a lot when I first started. However, this has changed and I realise I know a lot more than I think I do. This lets me make positive differences to our clients’ lives. Living their best life to their best ability and of course having a bit of fun along the way too.

YOU have been a big part of my training and growing in my career. The course is really well done, with trainers and assessors understanding our job roles. They are flexible, offer great support, and I never felt like I was on my own. Until the exam – which was nowhere near as scary as I thought it would be and I got my distinction! WOO!

They are more than happy to help when you are stuck and guide you, give great feedback but most times out of 10 you will already know the answers, so believe in yourself!

Apprentice programme

Our apprentice programme offers nationally-recognised qualifications in Health and Social Care. Not only will you earn whilst you learn, but you’ll quickly develop the range of skills and knowledge needed to deliver the best support for those we work with.

If you are interested in doing an apprenticeship please visit our apprenticeship page or if you would like more information please email our People and Learning team learning@theyoutrust.org.uk

Kate enrolled in one of our apprenticeship courses and has developed skills that help her in her job.

My apprenticeship started in March 2020 and it was all completely new to me; I didn’t know what to expect. Being an older learner, I haven’t had to study in a formal setting for many years, so it was all a bit daunting! Due to COVID all of my learning was moved online.

It was surprising how quickly the learning provider adapted their programme; all of the masterclasses were carried out remotely on Teams. It was easy to take part in my lessons and still get to meet and talk to other learners on the same course and didn’t feel remote at all.

There were regular reviews with my employer and colleges and the support from both was great! I was given all of the help and support I needed.

I am now at the end of my Apprenticeship and waiting to do my final exams in the coming weeks. As a result of my hard work, I was nominated for the ‘Intermediate Apprentice of The Year Award’… and won!

My Apprenticeship experience was really positive, I have gained a qualification and would recommend it to everyone!

At the YOU Trust we have a well-established and successful apprentice programme.

Out apprentice programme offers nationally-recognised qualifications in Health and Social Care. Not only will you earn whilst you learn, but you’ll quickly develop the range of skills and knowledge needed to deliver the best support for those we work with. Our Apprentices work as part of the team, gaining experience through on the job training and mentoring, and they will undertake a full training programme.

We’ll get right to it: some of our programmes have minimum entry requirements, others don’t. But that just means no matter what qualifications you’ve got, we might have an apprenticeship that’s exactly right for you!

Ren’s story

Levelling up

Locations

Duties:

Requirements and prospects

Desired skills

Personal qualities

Future prospects

Things to consider

Locations

Apprentice programme

At the YOU Trust we have a well-established and successful apprentice programme.

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