Modern Apprenticeship

[Kev the gas]

Hi

I went to look at a local tech college with my son this morning as he will be leaving school next summer term. 16 years old.

He wants to come and work with me and get qualified, it was suggested today the best route for us is for him to embark on a modern day apprenticeship which after 2 years will get him his Level 2 in plumbing and Nvq.

If he takes this route he would then be able to get his level 3 and get his Gas certification as well if he studies for another 2 years, so well qualified after 4 years.

Has anyone else here taken the same steps recently ? It all seems fine but he will only be doing 1 day at college starting @ 9 am, tea break, lunch and finishing @ 3.30 pm ! which seems a short amount of time at college.

Any thoughts/ experience of the modern way of getting qualified ?

Kev

 

[ShaunCorbs]

yea thats the way i did and you learn the basic (eg regs) in collage and the rest on the job

 

[rpm]

yea thats the way i did and you learn the basic (eg regs) in collage and the rest on the job

.........................................with dad, sounds like a marriage made in heaven to me kev. lol

 

[ShaunCorbs]

.........................................with dad, sounds like a marriage made in heaven to me. lol

it can be but it has its +

 

[lame plumber]

I did that method some 10 years back as an adult, the 35 kids that started rapidly dropped by the way, only some8 or so finished after 4 years and about 3 are still working to my knowledge. So that to me tells its own story. Those that made it were mainly working with dad!!

 

[Rickster123]

I did that method some 10 years back as an adult, the 35 kids that started rapidly dropped by the way, only some8 or so finished after 4 years and about 3 are still working to my knowledge. So that to me tells its own story. Those that made it were mainly working with dad!!

Agree with this. Only 6 people finished the course out of 28. It was one day a week but the hours were 9am - 7pm

 

[rpm]

Cut backs eh!, mine was 9am - 7pm as well, and an hour for lunch, lol

 

[Kev the gas]

cutbacks !

I must admit the only thing that bugs me is the time he will spend at college.

If he didn't have an employer he would take 2 years 3/4 days a week to achieve a level 1 in plumbing ?

Admittedly he will learn more being on the tools with me but you do need to know the techie side as well.

 

[lame plumber]

all they do with the ones not with an employer is take 4 days to teach what the rest of us did in one!! then kick them out as as they couldnt get their nvq etc to move onto year 3

 

[tomplumb83]

I never learnt anything at college and it never did me any harm....
One day a week for 4 years - Some did it in 3

 

[rocketmanbkk]

Where I'm from the local college does a full time heat & vent course for 1 year. Then they offer the NVQ 1 year.

I'd say it would be better to go to college full time but work Saturdays & college holidays with you for the real life experience

A day a weeks no good as they'll all be messing about as younguns do.

Any full time courses near you?

Just my opinion

I'm sure he'll do well

 

[Kev the gas]

As of last year all school leavers must stay in full time education be it A levels/ some technical subject or start an apprenticeship until the age of 18.

Opting out of the new system is not available as an option, thankfully my son wants to join me rather than doing some media course or similar as some of his friends are planning.

He has being working with me during school holidays for the last 18 months and is very handy on the tools.

 

[newcastle phill]

As above. Not an option.
Must either goto college full time or get apprenticeship.

Shiyte really - when do they stop being kids and start supporting themselves. I was out grafting at 16.
Now they look at you like your some sort of animal if you suggest they get off their harris and get a part time job

 

[lame plumber]

try getting rent out of them when they dont leave home...................................

 

[leek]

I did my 4 years plumbing then did another 4 years to do an hnc, but if I am totally and completely honest it was only because a) the company I worked for was paying for it and b) I really didn't fancy a full weeks work. I would say I was young and stupid but I wasn't that young and more lazy than stupid! Having said that I thought it was good to do the day at college and the rest in the real world, I often learnt as much if not more working with the grumpy old boys.