Learners FAQs

• Who is Babcock?
• What does Babcock do?
• Do I have to be in a job to do it?
• Why do employers rate apprenticeships?
• How much will I earn as an apprentice?
• What do I have to do to achieve an apprenticeship?
• What is an NVQ?
• What does NVQ mean?
• Do I have to start at the bottom and work my way up?
• What will an apprenticeship / NVQ do for me?
• What If I already have a job?
• What qualifications are available?
• Are there different levels of qualifications?
• How will I know which apprenticeship I should do?
• How do I get an apprenticeship? How will my programme be delivered?
• How will I be assessed?
• How many NVQs can I do?
• What are Key Skills?
• What is a technical certificate?
• Wouldn't it be better if I went to college?
• Will there be any exams?
• Will it cost me / will I earn money doing it?
• Can anyone do an apprenticeship?
• Can I still do a programme if I have special learning needs?
• Do I have to wait until September to start a programme?
• How many hours will I have to put in at home to complete the qualification?
• Will my employer let me see my Vocational Learning Advisor / take tests whilst I am on shift?

• Who is Babcock?

  Babcock is one of the UK's largest training providers offering government-funded apprenticeships. Babcock currently has over 22,000 learners on work-based learning programmes. We have over 500 specialist trainers in offices nationwide ready to assist with your training and development needs.

• What does Babcock do?

  We offer training, support and innovative programmes for work-based learning, ensuring you the learner achieve apprenticeship qualifications.

• Do I have to be in a job to do it?

  It's really better for you to be employed while doing an apprenticeship as it's a work-based training programme, where you learn on-the-job. If you are not currently employed, we work with our employers to place any apprenticeship job vacancies on the government's apprenticeship website (www.apprenticeships.org.uk): we would advise you to look at this website and apply for any suitable vacancies, upon obtaining employment contact Babcock and we will progress your apprenticeship training.

• Why do employers rate apprenticeships?

  Because you receive training in a practical, professional way right from the start. Employers get to see what you're like in practice, not just on paper, and they know that you're trained to a national standard.

• How much will I earn as an apprentice?

  Employers will pay a wage dependant on your job role. However, the wage you receive will be the same or above a minimum as set by the government.

• What do I have to do to achieve an apprenticeship?

  Dependant on the programme, there are four main components in your Apprenticeship / Advanced Apprenticeship Framework: NVQ: this is chosen to suit you and will be specific to your job role, responsibilities and career progression, either at Level 2 or 3 respectively. Key Skills: are a government initiative to raise skills levels in up to six areas (depending on the route chosen). Portfolio and multiple -choice tests are completed to ensure that both performance and knowledge standards are met at the necessary level. You will cover standards through project work associated with your business to the ultimate benefit for both you, and your manager. Essential Knowledge: during the initial stages focus is on Employment Rights and Responsibilities (ERR) to cover legislation and statutory information affecting learners, career progression and Equal Opportunities. Technical certificates: these are not applicable to all Babcock courses, but are chosen appropriately for the qualification and career progression. This training enhances knowledge and competence in your chosen field and ability is proven through certification from the appropriate industry body. To attain a full apprenticeship, you will have to complete each of the above parts. Your Vocational Learning Advisor will talk you through the whole framework in-depth when you meet.

• What is an NVQ?

  It's a work-based qualification that gives you a chance to learn a trade, and be paid at the same time.

• What does NVQ mean?

  'National' - because it's recognised as standard all over the UK 'Vocational' - i.e. 'occupational', because it's a work-based qualification 'Qualification' - depending on your level, it can equate to multiple GCSEs or an A Level.

• Do I have to start at the bottom and work my way up?

  Do I need to have qualifications already, to get on a programme? No. The more experience and qualifications you have, the higher the level of NVQ you can take.

• What will an apprenticeship / NVQ do for me?

  It increases your knowledge, boosts your earning potential, it shows your employer you're dedicated and demonstrates that you are capable at doing your job.

• What If I already have a job?

  If you are already in employment (and working more than 16 hours / week), we will contact you and your employer to discuss the programmes available, funding opportunities and what is required. Following these discussions, if you and your employer are committed to undertaking a training programme, we will arrange for a Recruitment Advisor to meet you to sign you on to one of our courses.

• What qualifications are available?

  We have various courses available within the Active Leisure, Automotive, Business Administration, Call Centre, Care, Cleaning, Customer Service, Engineering, Hospitality, Management, Retail and Warehousing sectors. (Funding may differ locally, so please contact Babcock for further details.)

• Are there different levels of qualifications?

  Yes, qualifications range from level 1 through to level 5. Babcock delivers level 2 and level 3, with some scope for levels 1 and 4 (depending on region and funding).

• How will I know which apprenticeship I should do?

  The apprenticeship will be tailored specifically to your job role and at your initial meeting with your Vocational Learning Advisor you will go through what we call an 'initial assessment'. This is designed to help to give you and your Vocational Learning Advisor a view of:- What your preferred learning style is The level and content of NVQ and Key Skills that you will benefit most from

• How do I get an apprenticeship? How will my programme be delivered?

  It's not like school or college, where getting a qualification comes down to how much you cram. Assessment for your apprenticeship isn't just based on how much you can remember or how well you perform on the day - but on how well you work and learn your trade over a longer period of time. So if you have an 'off' day, unlike at college, it won't decide your future.

• How will I be assessed?

  Collecting evidence - products, photo, witness testimonies Being observed - by a Vocational Learning Advisor whilst you work Questions and answers - to check your understanding

• How many NVQs can I do?

  This is dependant on the job you do and varies in each industry. Your Vocational Learning Advisor will explain this in depth when you meet.

• What are Key Skills?

  They are general, everyday skills that everybody needs to work well in their jobs. There are three main key skills but some frameworks require up to five: Communication Application of Number Information Communication Technology They all involve multiple-choice tests and portfolio work.

• What is a technical certificate?

  It's a qualification that focuses on one specific topic related to your trade. There are many different technical certificates and each one focuses on a different topic (unlike your NVQ, which covers a lot of topics). Your NVQ will teach you your trade, but your technical certificate will teach you the theory and the rules that underpin your trade - e.g. Health & Safety.

• Wouldn't it be better if I went to college?

  One of the main advantages of work-based learning is that you are earning while you are learning and getting a qualification at the same time.

• Will there be any exams?

  Most qualifications contain two Key Skills, for which a multiple choice test and portfolio work will be required. If you have achieved your Key Skills / Maths or English GCSE's within a certain period of time and at the correct level, you may be exempt from completing these Key Skills. If applicable to your course, you will also have to take a Technical Certificate test. For the Key Skill and Technical Certificate tests, you may go back to college or a separate conference room to be taught what you need to know. Learners undertaking a Hospitality programme (which do not include a Technical Certificate) will be tested on their knowledge.

• Will it cost me / will I earn money doing it?

  That's the great thing, you earn while you learn. You continue to do your daily job but at the same time you're doing your qualification.

• Can anyone do an apprenticeship?

  To be eligible you: Must have a National Insurance Number Must be under 25 years old Must be working 16 or more hours per week Must not be in any full-time government-funded education Must be a European citizen For those falling outside of the above criteria, alternative government funding or commercial options are available on request. 26. What happens when I finish my programme? You will receive your certificates and portfolio back (or on disk) for you to progress to another level if you wish.

• Can I still do a programme if I have special learning needs?

  Yes, Babcock is an equal opportunities employer and applications are invited from members of any ethnic group, gender, sexual orientation and those with disabilities.

• Do I have to wait until September to start a programme?

  When can I start? With agreement of your employer you can start a programme at anytime you wish to.

• How many hours will I have to put in at home to complete the qualification?

  You need to show dedication, commitment and be adaptable. The hours you put in all depends on how much you want to get out of your qualification. Your Vocational Learning Advisor will be able to help you with this decision.

• Will my employer let me see my Vocational Learning Advisor / take tests whilst I am on shift?

  This will be up to your employer and is something that Babcock will agree with them prior to commencing your qualification.