Learner Benefits

Getting paid while you learn might sound too good to be true - but as an apprentice you really do get the best of both worlds.

If you have the dedication to succeed in the world of work, and you're not afraid to commit yourself to one, two or even five years of training and study, then an Apprenticeship could be for you.

You will work towards industry recognised qualifications (NVQ Levels 2 or 3, Key Skills and technical certificates by learning in the workplace and at Prostart.)

To be eligible you must be living in England and aged between 16 - 24 and not in full time education.

Prostart will work with you to find suitable employment and as we have established contacts and local knowledge we are the first to know about vacancies before they are advertised. If you are aged 16-18 and unsure of which career path to take, Prostart can assist you through our entry to employment programme.

Learner Support

Prostart has links with a number of local agencies to assist you in such things as housing, finance, stress management, confidence or any other issues you may have. These services are free for you to call upon at any time during your course.

Counselling - Prostart has a qualified counsellor on site to help you with any personal problems or issues affecting your learning. You don't need to make an appointment for this *confidential service and the counsellor is there to listen and support you.

*If you disclose any information which we feel may endanger yourself or others with your permission we will contact the necessary authorities

Money & Finances

EMA - Educational Maintenance Allowance is a national programme that provides support for 16-18 year olds. You can get EMA if you are attending a course that is more than 16 hours a week and your annual household income is around £30,000 or less. Your school should have an EMA application pack, alternatively call 0115 9468182 and ask for the EMA Co-ordinator.

Funding ranges from £10 - £30 a week and is paid straight into your bank account. You will sign an EMA contract which sets out what is expected of you in terms of attendance and progress. You must attend all week in order to receive your allowance; you do not get paid for unauthorised absence. You also receive a bonus if you remain on your course and achieve the targets on your Individual Learning Plan.

For more information, contact the EMA Co-ordinator on 0115 9468182 or call the national Helpline on 0808 101 6219. You can also visit www.ema.dfes.gov.uk

Travel

While you are attending Prostart and we are helping you find employment you will be reimbursed your travel fares.

Equal Opportunities and Diversity

Prostart has a strong commitment to equality and diversity. Equality and diversity at Prostart means the right of everyone at Prostart to be treated with respect and dignity, in an environment in which diversity of background and experiences is valued. We will provide support to all of our learners to help them achieve their potential. Prostart has a comprehensive action plan which is monitored on a regular basis.

Facilities for people with disabilities

Prostart has alternative locations available to make our facilities accessible to all learners. In addition to physical access, Prostart can support learners with disabilities by providing information in a format that meets your needs - large print, different coloured paper or overlays and Braille.

We also offer the follow range of services to support learners with learning difficulties:

Examination access arrangements

Adapting learning materials for example coloured paper

Specialised equipment support

Information, Advice and Guidance

We offer free Information Advice and Guidance on opportunities for learning and work at Prostart. We carry out advice and guidance interviews of up to 45 minutes with a member of our trained Placement Team to help you to identify your abilities, career aims and objectives and make realistic decisions about your future plans for both learning and work.

We aim to make you aware of all the services that are useful to you and w e offer signposting to other organisations where required, including Connexions

We offer the following range of services:

•  A range of diagnostic tests to identify your learning needs and career choice

•  Once on a Prostart programme group Sessions are available for personal development including CV writing and Job Search

•  Information Advice and Guidance throughout the learners programme through the Quality and Progress Review and Assessment visits where required

•  Information advice and guidance at the end of your programme through the exit interview process

What you can expect from us:

•  Friendly, approachable, polite staff that will listen to you and give you impartial IAG

•  Records kept in line with the Data Protection Act

• Guidance that is relevant and available to you whatever your ethnic background, sexual orientation, Religious beliefs, abilities, age or gender

•  Alternate locations available for interviews with disabled access

For further information please see our Statement of Service 

Initial Interview and Assessment

When you first contact Prostart you will be asked to take part in an assessment of your reading, writing and maths. This ensures that we are offering you the right support.

Individual Learning Plan

Every learner has an Individual Learning Plan (ILP) that sets out your programme of learning this is a working document that will set out your targets and record your progression and achievement.

Assessments

All learners are allocated a personal assessor who is responsible for their learning. Visits are arranged at least monthly to monitor progress, discuss progression and career plans and discuss any issues that maybe affecting you.

What are Key Skills?

Key Skills are an essential part of every learning framework and address the personal development of an individual and cover: Communication, Application of Number, Information Communication Technology, Improve Own Learning and Problem Solving. Key skills are considered by employers to be an essential part of occupational competence. They are delivered with the NVQ but are separately certificated. In some instances learners may be required to sit tests for: Communication, Application of Number and Information Technology. The learner will be required to attend our centre during working hours to complete the test. Although arrangements can be made for on site testing dependant on the circumstances.

What is a review?

During the individuals learning period they will be constantly reviewed and assessed this ensures consistency in Prostart's service and Learner development. There are two different types of reviews that take place, these are:

•  Progress Reviews

The learner's personal assessor will carry these out, with the involvement of both the learner and supervisor. It is an opportunity to see how the learner is progressing, whether they are on target and what they plan to achieve in the future. It's about their development

•  Quality Reviews

These will be carried out by an independent Reviewer (Prostart staff) who is completely separate to the training process of the qualification. Again both learner and employer involvement is required to check the quality of training being delivered. It's about Prostart's service

Courses

Prostart can offer training in the following occupational areas under the Apprenticeship scheme, Train To Gain programme or as a stand alone qualification

Training Services

The following courses can be tailored to an employer's/learner's specific needs. Equal Opportunities Awareness

Short Certified Courses

The following courses are also offered along with certification by Prostart.

Health & Safety

Equality & Diversity

The Application Process

Feedback

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