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Pre-Apprenticeship Programme

The Pre-Apprenticeship Programme is a unique provision for Year 12 students in Hertfordshire. It combines essential classroom preparation for the world of work with a six-month work experience placement.  This will be an asset in your job search in the future. Employers prefer to recruit young people with work experience and hardly anyone your age has any.

Study

In class, you will study towards two BTEC qualifications (equal to two GCSEs) in the skills that employers value.  You will learn how to behave at work, how to communicate effectively, how to successfully complete an application for an apprenticeship, how to write a CV and most importantly how to make a great impression at an interview.  While there are no examinations for the BTEC you are required to complete all the course work in order to achieve the qualification.

You will also study the LIBF Finance education course.

There will also be time for you to study for re-sits in Maths and English GCSE should you need to. 

Preparation for work

Throughout September, you will be given a crash course in work related issues.  This will involve workshops presented by employers and other business organisations, visits to workplaces and apprentice training facilities, team building exercises, and group discussions at school all which will require hard work.

Work Placement

In October, you will commence your journey into a successful career.  For two full days per week during term time you will attend a work placement.  You will be treated like a normal member of staff. Although you will be supervised more closely and carefully shown the ropes you will be subject to the same discipline as everyone else who works there. 

Outcomes

The aim of the programme is to help students win high quality apprenticeships and boost them into a great career.  This year's graduates have secured apprentice jobs in Human Resources, Business Administration, Plumbing, Hospitality and Social Care.

If you are interested in applying for this programme then please complete the application form found on 'Joining the Sixth Form' page. 

In June 2019 at ‘The Inspiring Hertfordshire Awards’ event, The Astley Cooper School Prep-Apprenticeship programme received the award ‘Education in Employment’.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Star student Jake Ashpole was offered three apprenticeships. He is now working with Sopra Steria, Hemel Hempstead.