Post GCSE options – what’s available and how to decide what’s right for you.

Friday, 29 July 2022

Whether you have just completed your GCSE’s, or you are prepping for next year’s exams, considering your future can be a daunting task, but what exactly are your options when you finally finish your exams?

In the UK, you’re expected to stay in education until you are 18 years old, but this doesn’t mean your only options are college or Sixth Form. In the 2021/22 academic year so far, there have been a whopping 288,000 people starting apprenticeships throughout England.

 What is an apprenticeship?  

Apprenticeships allow young people to achieve qualifications whilst working and earning money. They typically last between 12 and 24 months and unlike college or university, there generally aren’t many qualification-based entry requirements. Your training plan will cover off-the-job training delivered by experienced and qualified Tutors either face to face or virtually, plus teaching and learning that happens through on-the-job training delivered by work mentors, line managers and in-house trainers.

In short, apprenticeships can give you the skills, knowledge and behaviours to build a successful career in a supportive and practical setting. In England, there are apprenticeships for over 1,500 job roles, which means you are almost guaranteed to find an exciting and fulfilling position to suit your interests.

What are the main benefits of taking on apprenticeship rather than going to college or Sixth Form?  

1. Less pressure to achieve particular exam results before you start. 

If you didn’t pass your exams, you can still thrive in an apprenticeship environment. There generally aren’t any minimum entry requirements for an apprenticeship, you just need to have passion and a willingness to learn.

2. Learn in a supportive and highly-skilled environment.  

Learning on and off-the-job means you are surrounded by industry experts; you also have your expert apprenticeship Tutors to go to for support and guidance.

3. Earn money.  

Apprenticeships allow you to earn a wage whilst you are working and studying!

4. Gain experience as well as qualifications.

During an apprenticeship, around 80% of your time will be spent working and roughly 20% will be spent studying so you’ll have plenty of time to really get to know the industry you have chosen to work in. As you progress in your career you will have a head start on others that may have taken a more traditional route. You will be ready for promotion before they are and when looking for a change of employer you will have more experience which is what employers want!  

What’s it like to be an apprentice?

Apprentices are hardworking, determined and passionate about what they do. You will need to juggle study time, assignments and exams, with a paid job.

Apprenticeships are an opportunity for young people to earn a wage whilst they learn, and to build confidence in their workplace whilst pursuing their chosen career path. Watch a video interview with one of our childcare apprentices, Olivia here. 

How to decide what’s right for you.   

Think about the following questions:  

1. Do you work better in a hands-on, practical environment?
2. Is your chosen career something you need a real work environment to really learn?
3. Did you struggle in a classroom environment and feel you need a more diverse setting to learn in?
4. Do you want to go straight into working at least 30 hours per week?

If the answer to those questions is yes, then taking on an apprenticeship almost certainly the best route for you. Check out our range of apprenticeships and diplomas here. 

How can we help? 

We are a specialist UK training provider who have been offering fulfilling apprenticeships in the UK for over 10 years and have helped hundreds of young people to start their careers in Childcare and Early Years Education, Hairdressing, Beauty and more. Get in touch to find out more about our range of apprenticeships: training@learnplusus.co.uk 

Apprenticeship Success! Distinction Awarded

Wednesday, 8 June 2022

Hifza started her Level 3 childcare apprenticeship in 2018 and recently graduated with a DISTINCTION! If you are thinking about taking on an apprenticeship in the Childcare or Early Years sector, read our latest case study to gain some helpful insights from Hifza’s first-hand experience.

Email: training@learnplusus.co.uk for more information about available apprenticeships.

“My name is Hifza, I joined Sunbeam Sugar Plum Tree Nursery in 2018 as an apprentice and now, in 2022, I am a Level 3 qualified practitioner! I chose to do an apprenticeship because I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do after college, so I decided to gain experience by working and learning at the same time.

Working in the Early Year’s sector has taught me so many things about children. Learning to have patience was a very big deal for me! I really enjoy helping and supporting children to learn new things and providing different experiences for them to enjoy.

When I first started my apprenticeship, I found it overwhelming as the children were not familiar with me. Over time though, I gradually started getting used to the children and the routines, and I learnt how to speak to the children and how to deal with challenging behaviour. I observed my colleagues and had their support throughout. I can now say that I am so much more confident with working with children, and that for me is the best part of my apprenticeship – gaining confidence and learning new skills!

Completing an apprenticeship has helped to boost my confidence with new people and has helped me to learn professionalism in the workplace. I believe success is when someone is accomplishing their goals and helping others to lead a better, happier and healthy life. When someone is happy, enjoying their job, and also doing well and progressing the workplace – this is success!

If someone is thinking about doing an apprenticeship in any sector – do it!

You will gain experience, learn and get paid at the same time. Personally, I am so glad at the age of 18 I decided to do an apprenticeship as most jobs like experienced people. Once you have completed your apprenticeship, you will be qualified and be able to do your job confidently.

 For those who are doing an apprenticeship now and are struggling with it, my advice would be to take your time and take each day as it comes. Speak to your colleagues, assessors and tutors about how your feeling. Talk to them about your struggles, ask for help because asking questions is how we learn.

At Learn Plus Us, my assessors were so supportive.

If I needed any support or guidance I could always contact them. They always had my work-plans ready for me so I knew what topic I had to work on, they supported me until the end and were very positive throughout my qualification! During the pandemic, they supported me so much, they would check up on me regularly, asking if I needed any support with my coursework and would arrange regular meetings with them virtually.

Towards the end of my course, when it was time for my exams, my assessors sent me documents to help me prepare including mock exams with me. Overall, I can wholeheartedly say, Learn Plus Us helped me during my apprenticeship a lot, and because of the support my assessors and tutors gave me, I was able to finish my Level 3 Childcare course with a Distinction!”

Learn Plus Us Accredited to the Matrix Standard

Tuesday, 24 May 2022

Learn Plus Us, Childcare and Hairdressing training providers, has been accredited to the matrix Standard, demonstrating the high-quality Information Advice and Guidance services they provide to apprentices and learners across the country.

The matrix Standard is the international quality standard for organisations that deliver information, advice and/or guidance (IAG), either as their sole purpose or as part of their service offering.

Roger Chapman, Head of the matrix Service for The Growth Company said:

“This is a fantastic achievement for Learn Plus Us and I would like to congratulate the team on their success. We believe that at the heart of high-quality advice and support services are strong leadership, excellent service and a focus on continuous improvement, all underpinned by effective use of the resources available. The matrix Standard is designed to benchmark organisations against best practice in these areas. With their accreditation success, Learn Plus Us is working to provide the best possible support to their clients.”

For more information about the matrix Standard please visit www.matrixStandard.com.

Struggling with Numeracy? You are not alone.

Here are some top tips from our Functional Skills expert to help you feel more confident

Tuesday, 17 May 2022

National Numeracy day is held annually on 18 May. If you struggle with numbers, visit their website for free resources to help you improve your skills.

Whether you are young or (not so) young, many of us struggle with our numeracy skills and yet maths is an essential part of work and home life.

We spoke to Functional Skills tutor, Bogumila, who shares some top tips and reflections on the importance of using maths confidently.

“I always advise my learners to take a step-by-step approach to maths. Breaking down complicated or challenging questions into manageable chunks is the key.

We use maths more at work and in everyday life more than we think. If you are trying to be at work on time and you add the time it takes you to get ready in the morning to the time you need to get from home to work by bus, you are using maths. If you are preparing baby formula, you are using your maths skills (ratio) as well. Doing shopping on the budget means that we all pay attention to prices, but we also make decisions based on whether a product is good value for money. We compare prices of various brands in different supermarkets. In that case, we use functional skills maths.

If you struggle, remember you are not alone! The key is to start and try to dedicate say 30 minutes a day to improving your maths skills. There are plenty of (free) resources online. The National Maths Challenge provides an initial assessment and resources to help you improve, you can access it here: Getting on With Numbers | National Numeracy Challenge
If you are studying with us, you will do an initial and diagnostic assessment to establish your starting point, this will help you to progress in a way that is unique to you.”

My top three tips for improving your maths skills no matter your starting point are;

1. Calculate whatever possible in your head (stairs, reps in the gym, change in the shop, hours/minutes to your appointment, etc.).
2. Play simple addition/subtraction to/from 10 or 100 with your children/family members. Ask them to ask you questions as well. It can be fun!
3. Give maths a go! One step at a time.

A career in hairdressing or barbering – is it worth it?  

Monday, 11 April 2022

Why begin a career in the hair sector?  

• Be your own boss.

Stats show that around 60% of hairdressers in the UK are self-employed, this means that a career in hairdressing is often an excellent way to start your own business, giving you the flexibility and ownership to work your own hours, and juggle other commitments and priorities.

• Get creative.

Hairdressing allows you the opportunity to continually develop your knowledge, learn new things and express your creativity.

• Take your skills with you.

No matter where you live in the world, there will almost always be a demand for hairdressing.

• Be social.

Hairdressing gives you the opportunity to meet new people and no two days are ever the same.

• Earn a good wage.

Average salaries for hairdressers in the UK are up to £23kpa.

Hairdressing and personal care services are fundamental to us as Brits. In 2019, salons all over the country saw their biggest turnover ever with the population spending close to £9 billion on hair and beauty services.  But, with many salons and small businesses forced to close during the COVID-19 pandemic, the devastating impact of the last two years on the UK beauty and hair industry is yet to be fully determined.

However, we can already see many promising signs of recovery, and there was a reported 432% spike in service bookings in April 2021. At the end of the March 2021 lockdown, the most in-demand personal care service was a haircut, making up for 47% of all personal care bookings. The takeaway? Hairdressing services remain in high demand and a fundamental part of the UK personal care sector.

A word from Learn Plus Us, Head of Hair and Beauty, Joanne Gunnel

“Hairdressing is a lifelong educational journey, you will never stop learning or developing as the hairdressing and barbering trends change each season. Personally, I have spent over 30 years in the industry and can still remember my first day as a Saturday girl and my passion and enthusiasm for the hair industry has grown each year.

I have spent the last 32 years passing on my skills, creative flair and enthusiasm for the sector to the next upcoming stylists, I am very proud of the learners that I have taught over the years, many of whom have gone onto build successful careers from salon owners to senior stylist in Mayfair.

Hairdressing jobs are said to be the happiest jobs you can have, with hairdressers regularly topping the ‘happiest at work’ polls across the world” 

Want to start a career in Hairdressing? How we can help: 

We are a specialist UK training provider who have been offering fulfilling and engaging apprenticeships in the UK for over 10 years. We offer free recruitment services to business partners with apprenticeship vacancies, and have helped hundreds of individuals to start their dreams careers. We offer VTCT accredited Hairdressing and Barbering apprenticeships in Essex, Herts, Beds, Bucks and London.

Exploring gender diversity in the childcare workforce  

Wednesday, 16 March 2022 

With males accounting for just 3 percent of the childcare and early years workforce, we believe now is the time to actively encourage and support gender diversity within the sector.

According to the Gender Diversification in the Early Years Workforce 2020 report, less than 1 in 5 of childcare managers’ report actively working to recruit men into their settings. Here, we explore why gender diversity within the childcare sector matters and look at ways that male practitioners can be supported within their roles to encourage retention.

Why gender diversity matters and the benefits of a mixed workforce 

It’s no secret that the childcare sector is facing a longstanding recruitment crisis and the problem could certainly be eased by recruiting more men into the sector.

Research shows that childcare is a ‘genderless’ job, meaning men offer the same level of skills and roles to settings as their female colleagues, however, men can sometimes fall victim to being excluded from certain tasks within the workplace through unconscious bias or gender stereotyping. It is vital to challenge gender stereotypes within the sector, and this is easier to do if the workplace is mixed.  

Mixed gender workforces allow children to have greater exposure to gender awareness and sensitivity. It encourages conversations around gender, giving the opportunity for myths and stereotypes to be challenged. It also gives children a broader outlook on ‘gender roles’ within the workplace and life in general.

3 ways to support male practitioners working in the childcare sector 

The findings of the Gender Eye 2020 report also show that 51% of men (compared to just 6% of women) have contemplated leaving the profession due to concerns around sexual abuse allegations. It is clear that in order to retain men in the sector, support from managers and settings is needed to ensure they feel adequately supported and safeguarded in their roles.

1. Settings should create a consistent message and ethos of diversity within the workplace and actively work to recruit more men into their vacancies. This could be through the use of diversity within imagery on social media and other digital platforms, or by expressing their interest in recruiting male professionals/apprentices.
2. Settings should consider the challenges that male practitioners can potentially face and provide them with additional support so they feel equipped to face these challenges confidently.
3. Challenge unconscious bias and gender stereotyping within the workplace, ensuring male staff have access to all parts of their role (intimate care, rough and tumble play etc). Sensitively address parental concerns with reassurance of the safeguarding policies and procedures whilst challenging gender stereotypes that might be a contributing factor.

What other ways could settings attract a more diverse workforce?

1. By providing outstanding career focussed Information, Advice and Guidance (CIAG), with a range of pathways for all people considering working in childcare or education, settings will attract a more diverse mix of applicants, including men. Career pathways could include the full range of children’s and young people services, teaching and social work.
2. With life expectancy increasing, more people are adopting a semi-retirement approach in their older years, somethings leaving their career or full-time roles and seeking part-time or more family friendly work. Here they are able to make a difference in the lives of others through their ‘lived’ life skills. Settings that are able to offer flexible or part-time roles may wish to consider recruitment campaigns that offer this type of flexibility and focus.

For more information and resources on gender diversity within childcare, visit the Gender EYE (Gender Diversification of the Early Years Workforce: Recruiting and Supporting Male Practitioners) website here. Read the full report below 

https://gendereye.files.wordpress.com/2020/10/gendereye-final-end-of-project-report-28-oct.pdf

How can we help? 

We are a specialist UK training provider who have been offering fulfilling childcare apprenticeships in the UK for over 10 years. We offer free recruitment services to business partners with apprenticeship vacancies, and have helped hundreds of individuals to start their careers in Childcare and Early Years Education.   

Get in touch to find out more about our range of apprenticeships: training@learnplusus.co.uk