Empowering Futures: A Guide for Parents and Carers of Apprentices
Welcome, parents and carers! You’re an essential part of your child’s journey as they embark on an exciting apprenticeship with us. This blog post aims to provide you with a clear overview of our Level 3 IT, Marketing, and Digital Support Apprenticeship courses, what you and your loved one can expect, and how you can get involved in supporting their success.
Understanding Our Level 3 Apprenticeship Courses: IT, Marketing, and Digital Support
Our apprenticeship programs are designed to provide high-quality education and practical experience, aligning with the new 2024 updated Gatsby Benchmarks, DfE, and Matrix standards. We focus on developing future-ready professionals in key digital sectors.
- IT Apprenticeships: These programs equip apprentices with fundamental skills in information technology, preparing them for various roles within the tech industry. After completing their IT apprenticeship, loved ones could apply for roles such as:
- IT Support Technician
- Junior Network Administrator
- Helpdesk Analyst
- Systems Administrator Assistant
- Technical Support Engineer
- Marketing Apprenticeships: Apprentices will learn modern marketing strategies, digital campaigns, and communication techniques essential for today’s dynamic business environment. Upon completion of a Marketing apprenticeship, potential job roles include:
- Marketing Assistant
- Social Media Coordinator
- Content Creator
- Digital Marketing Assistant
- Campaign Support
- Digital Support Apprenticeships: This pathway focuses on providing technical assistance, troubleshooting, and digital problem-solving skills, vital for any organisation. After a Digital Support apprenticeship, loved ones could pursue careers as:
- Digital Support Technician
- Service Desk Analyst
- Junior IT Support
- Digital Administrator
- Technical Helpdesk Agent
Each training module within these courses includes a specific career section, directly linking the curriculum to relevant career roles. This ensures apprentices understand how their learning translates into real-world opportunities.
How to Help Your Child/Loved One Thrive
Your support is invaluable! Here are some ways you can help your child or loved one throughout their apprenticeship:
- Understand Their Aspirations: We have a pre-skill questionnaire at the interview stage to discuss if an apprenticeship fits their career aspirations.
- Utilise Our Resources: Our website has a dedicated career page and information on possible roles related to course outcomes (click here).
- Encourage Engagement: Support them in attending our monthly Career Cafes, which cover crucial employability and transferable skills.
- Stay Informed: The website provides information to help you support your child throughout the apprenticeship.
What to Expect During the Apprenticeship
Our Careers program offers continuous guidance and support, emphasising career exploration and industry exposure.
- Structured Guidance: From day one, the career section is discussed, introducing the monthly Career Cafes and topics covered.
- Employability Skills Development: Career Cafes cover essential topics like CV writing, interview techniques, mock interviews, job search strategies, and online profile creation.
- Industry Connection: Apprentices will benefit from industry guest speaker sessions and discussions on local labour market trends. We also encourage learners to visit local career fairs.
- Individualised Support: Around Month 10, apprentices will be emailed details for the National Careers Service (NCS) and asked to create an action plan via NCS.
- Alumni Engagement: Graduates are invited to join our alumni program, where they share experiences and insights with new apprentices.
Apprenticeships That Have Created Successful People
Apprenticeships are a proven pathway to success, fostering well-rounded professionals with industry-relevant skills and experience. Our program enhances employability, broadens perspectives through industry exposure, and provides mentorship and networking opportunities. This dedicated guidance ensures a smooth transition to the next career stage. We also track destination data to analyse industry and progression rates.
Get Involved in Our Yearly Graduation
Celebrate your loved one’s achievements with us! Graduates are invited to our Graduation Ceremony. Alumni are also invited to these events.
What Our Monthly Career Cafes Cover
Our monthly Career Cafes are interactive group sessions designed to build crucial employability and transferable skills. Here’s a glimpse of the topics covered throughout the year:
- Month 1 (January): Working with Others – Boundaries, communication skills, confidence, self-analysis.
- Month 2 (February): National and Local Labour Market research, gaps, future-proofing, and Digital Optimisation, along with Transferable Skills.
- Month 3 (March): Industry Speakers tailored for Marketing, IT, and DST courses. Discussion on Volunteer Roles and Shadowing at work.
- Month 4 (April): Professional Tone/Emails, talking to external agencies, and Social Media Policies.
- Month 5 (May): Career Progression/Specialist roles in IT, MCM, DST industries, exploring Job Search platforms, job descriptions, skills, qualifications, and knowledge needed.
- Month 6 (June): Online Persona and LinkedIn Profile creation.
- Month 7 (July): Money Matters.
- Month 8 (August): Mock Interview Preparation, potentially with recruitment agencies.
- Month 9 (September): Entrepreneurship, Self-employment & Freelancing. Also includes discussions on Working & Mental Health.
- Month 10 (October): Further/Higher Education and Continuing Professional Development (CPD) routes.
- Month 11 (November): Alumni Talk & invitation to new apprentices.
- Month 12 (December): CV Update & Cover Letter preparation.
Our Contact Details
For any queries or further information, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
We look forward to partnering with you to support your child’s successful apprenticeship journey!