The schemes are available to young people aged 16 to 23. They aim to provide young people with the key skills, such as maths and English, to allow them to study for further qualifications. They were launched last year by The Government and are administered by the NAS and employers.
Skills and enterprise minister Matthew Hancock said: “We introduced traineeships to unlock the great potential of young people. Employers involved in the programme are now helping their trainees to develop the skills that are required in the workplace. They can then build on this and begin their career with an apprenticeship or other sustainable jobs.”
Companies who have so far offered such schemes include the BBC, Virgin Media and BT.
Alan Appleyard, head of academy at the Port of Tilbury, which has also adopted the plans, told HR magazine the traineeships were a great way to reach out to local communities.
“In Essex, where we’re based, we still have very high levels of illiteracy and children with very poor prospects,” he said. “This training gives them the chance to get a taste of work while also learning all the skills they need to get into apprenticeships and employment. We have people here who started on traineeships and have moved on to level 3 apprenticeship schemes, who are doing brilliantly.”
