Spotlight Issue 2
Aspiration Training
We are an award winning training provider. We offer a range of apprenticeships in care & education.
Shaping the future of Early Years apprenticeships
Welcome to the second issue of Spotlight, the dedicated newsletter from Aspiration Training, focusing on the latest developments and opportunities within the Early Years sector. This edition delves into the dynamic world of Early Years apprenticeships, a vital aspect of workforce development and professional growth.
The Rise of Early Years Apprenticeships
Apprenticeships in the early years sector are more than just a training programme, they are a crucial pipeline for developing a skilled and dedicated workforce. Apprentices bring fresh ideas and energy into the workplace while learning the practical skills needed for their roles. Employers who invest in apprenticeship programs often find that they not only fill immediate staffing needs but also build a loyal and capable team for the future.
Benefits for Employers and Practices
Hosting apprenticeships brings numerous benefits to an Early Years setting. Employers can tailor the training to fit the specific needs and culture of their organisation, creating a seamless integration of new staff. Additionally, apprenticeships often lead to higher retention rates as trainees develop a strong loyalty to the organisation that invested in their growth. This investment also allows organisations to address skill shortages more effectively, ensuring that they have a capable team ready to meet needs. By shaping the next generation of Early Years professionals, organisations can maintain high standards of care and operational excellence.
Financial Incentives and Support
Employers who offer apprenticeship programs may be eligible for various financial incentives and support. Many governments and educational institutions provide grants, tax breaks, or subsidies to offset the costs associated with training apprentices. These incentives can significantly reduce the financial burden on organisations, making apprenticeships an economically viable option. Furthermore, employing apprentices can also bring a fresh perspective to the organisation, as they are often trained in the latest industry standards and technologies, which can be invaluable for staying competitive.
Adapting to Childcare Reforms Through Apprenticeships
The expansion of free childcare hours for working parents has increased the demand for qualified Early Years practitioners. Apprenticeships offer a flexible and effective way for employers to scale their workforce to meet this demand. By integrating apprentices into their teams, employers can ensure they have the trained staff needed to provide high-quality childcare while also contributing to the professional development of their workforce.
The Impact of Quality Assurance in Apprenticeship Programs
Maintaining high standards in apprenticeship programs is crucial for ensuring that apprentices receive the best possible training and development. Employers should regularly review and update their apprenticeship training plans, ensuring that they align with the latest industry standards and educational frameworks. By fostering a culture of continuous improvement and quality assurance, employers can ensure that their apprentices are well-prepared to meet the challenges of their roles and contribute effectively to the early years sector.
Promoting Career Progression Through Apprenticeships
Apprenticeships in the Early Years sector not only prepare individuals for entry-level roles but also lay the foundation for career progression. By starting as an apprentice, employees can advance through additional qualifications and training, moving into senior roles such as room leaders, managers, or even into specialised areas like special educational needs coordination. For employers, supporting apprentices through their career journey helps retain talent and ensures that staff are continually developing the skills needed to meet the evolving demands of the sector. Thank you for joining us on this exciting adventure in Early Years apprenticeships. Together, we can shape a brighter future for the Early Years profession.
Exploring Off The Job Training
As an employer, it's important to understand the variety of activities that qualify as off-the-job training for Early Years apprenticeships, ensuring compliance and maximising the value of the program.
What is Off-The-Job training?
Off-the-job training refers to any learning or development activity that takes place away from the apprentice's normal work environment and duties. Unlike on-the-job training, which happens during regular work tasks, off-the-job training focuses on broader learning experiences that support the apprentice's understanding and skills relevant to their role but are not part of their everyday responsibilities.
What classes as Off-The-Job training?
There are many elements that can be classed as Off-The-Job training, including practical activities like shadowing a colleague, attending workshops or completing e-learning modules. Apprentices can also engage in more theoretical learning and might focus on areas like child development theories, safeguarding, health and safety, and early years frameworks Additional activities might include attending seminars on child development, working on case studies or research projects, receiving mentoring or coaching from experienced professionals within the organisation, completing a learning journal, participating in role-play scenarios or simulations that help the apprentice practice skills, or even visiting other settings to observe different practices and broaden their understanding or various approaches to childhood education.
This training is crucial for ensuring that apprentices gain a well-rounded understanding of early years education, going beyond their daily tasks to develop the broader competencies required for their role.
Supporting Apprentices with Off-The-Job training
Supporting apprentices in completing their off-the-job training effectively requires a combination of planning, resources, and ongoing mentorship. There are some strategies employers can implement including allocating dedicated time, offering access to resources to aid them, arrange mentorship and support, facilitate real world learning opportunities, encourage reflection and self-assessment and creating a supportive learning environment.
A Day in the Life
New Video Launch
What does a day in the life of one of our Early Years apprentices look like?
We’re so proud of all of our apprentices and had the pleasure of sharing a day with one of our current learners.
Check out our video here: https://www.aspirationtraining.com/early-years
New Government Plans
Since winning the General Election, the Labour party have announced several ambitious plans for apprenticeships including the introduction of Skills England which was formally announced in the King’s Speech.
Labour’s plans include a comprehensive strategy for post-16 education, involving a reform to apprenticeships and the Apprenticeship Levy.
Labour aims to reduce unemployment within the 18-21 age category and to do so, it plans to establish a guarantee that everyone aged 18 to 21 will have access to an apprenticeship, training or support finding work. To help achieve this, Labour propose to establish Skills England to bring together businesses, training providers, unions and national and local government to ensure there is a highly trained workforce. Skills England will work with the Migration Advisory Committee, an independent, non-departmental public body which advises the government on migration issues, to make sure that training meets the needs of the labour market.
Labour believes that apprenticeship numbers have plummeted, skills shortages are widespread and that the skills system in England is confusing for young people, adults and employers.
Labour plans to ensure that Skills England works with the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education and the Education and Skills Funding Agency to ensure that training programmes become available as soon as they are identified as needed - rather than having a time-lag, as exists now, caused by the approvals required for apprenticeship qualifications.
With regards to the Apprenticeship Levy, Labour considers this is currently “broken” with the “rigid rules” ignoring vital skills and training needed to access apprenticeships. The new Growth and Skills Levy has the aim of providing businesses with greater flexibility by making funds available for a range of training courses, not just apprenticeship schemes.
Key Dates
As we look ahead over the next couple of months, there are several awareness days coming up, relevant to the Early Years sector:
National Baby Swimming Week - 2nd-8th September
A time of year to celebrate all the benefits that swimming brings to children, from physical benefits to cognitive growth and wellbeing.
National Read a Book Day - 6th September
An annual awareness day that encourages all of us to take a break and get reading. Research has shown that even 10 minutes a day of reading and sharing stories with children can have a hugely positive impact on their development, both now and in the future.
World Teachers Day - 5th October
Teachers play a pivotal role in shaping the future by nurturing students and driving educational progress. The 2024 celebrations will focus on ‘valuing teachers voices’ to acknowledge and benefit from the expert knowledge and input that they bring to education.
National Adoption Week - 21st - 27th October
An annual event dedicated to raising awareness about adoption and celebrating the families that have been formed through this beautiful process.
World Nursery Rhyme Week - 18th-24th November
A joyful and educational celebration of nursery rhymes that aims to promote early literacy skills and the importance of rhyming in children’s development.
Fully Funded Apprenticeships
Boost your business with Fully Funded Apprenticeships
We are pleased to announce we can now offer fully funded apprenticeships across the nation, providing a seamless way for businesses to develop skilled and dedicated employees at no cost.
Our apprenticeships are entirely funded, meaning you can enhance your workforce without financial strain. This allows you to allocate resources to other critical areas of your business whilst still investing in employee development.
No matter where your business is located, Aspiration Training has you covered. Our national reach ensures that we can provide apprenticeships to businesses in urban and rural areas, helping you find and train talent wherever you are.
We offer a diverse range of apprenticeship programs tailored to meet the specific needs of your business. Our bespoke approach ensures that the training aligns with your business goals and industry requirements.
By partnering with Aspiration Training, you can ensure your employees gain practical, hands-on experience and industry-recognised qualifications. This not only improves their skills but also boots productivity and efficiency within your organisation. We believe in building strong relationships with our employer partners. Our dedicated team provides ongoing support and guidance, from the intial recruitment process to the successful completion of the apprenticeship. We are committed to making the experience seamless and beneficial for both you and your apprentices.
Our Early Years Apprenticeship Courses
How to get started
Partnering with Aspiration Training to develop your workforce is easy:
Explore our programs
Visit our website to review our offering.
Reach out
Contact our team to discuss your specific needs and how our programs can be tailored to suit your business.
Recruit and train
We’ll help you recruit motivated apprentices and provide them with high-quality training that aligns with your industry standards.
Reap the benefits
Watch your apprentices grow into skilled professionals who contribute to the success and growth of your business.