BellTime Magazine BellTime 11-5 | Page 9

BellTIME BellTIME TRAINEESHIPS Traineeships are short structured training programmes which combines learning in an education and training setting as well as learning in the workplace in partnership with employers. They can last from 6 to 20 months and their objective is to raise the skills of those who are employed and to provide training to those who wish to attain skills for the purpose of becoming employed. The work-based learning element is a minimum of 30% of the total duration of the programme and may provide a direct entry into employment. Traineeships are adaptable and flexible in order to meet the needs of employers and therefore are seen as a progression pathway into a paid apprenticeship, a career in the workplace or enrol on further education and training programme. Your local ETB in conjunction with leading industry employers develop innovative occupation specific traineeship programmes. By participating on a traineeship, you are given the opportunity to develop cutting edge skills and knowledge whilst on-the-job thus making you more attractive to employer because of your experience. Traineeships are open to participants including school leavers, homemakers wishing to return to work, mature learners, those in employment and those who are unemployed who wish to gain the necessary skills to become employed in a particular occupation. Potential participants who are unemployed and wish to enrol on a traineeship to upskill for employment, may be eligible for a training allowance or income support. 5 FACTS YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT TRAINEESHIPS 1) Organisations love to get ahead of their competition by bringing in enthusiastic young and sometimes not so young people with fresh ideas into their business 2) A trainee can provide extra support to existing teams during busy periods in the workplace therefore cutting-edge learning happens in real time Combilift Traineeship, Cavan Monaghan ETB Greta Kasparaviciute 2018/2019 Trainee Prior to enrolling on the Traineeship Greta worked for 3 years in the prepared food industry in Monaghan but she was eager to upskill. The strong emphasis on preparing the trainee for the work place and the large amount of work placement were key factors in encouraging Greta to apply for the Engineering Traineeship. “The placements and opportunity to work in Combilift really allows us to put into practice what you are learning in the classroom. There is a great link between the work in the company and what we are studying in the classroom so that when you go on placement you can immediately see the theory in practice. It is great having tutors with industry experience and who know the company. We are really well prepared when we go into the workplace. The fact that we get moved around the company and are not placed in one area for our placements means you can quickly identify what area you would like to focus on after the Traineeship.” Greta also finds the potential career path appealing. “I think it is a great opportunity to get a qualification and quality experience. Employers are not just interested in your qualifications any more they want to see what experience you have, and this Traineeship offers that opportunity. When the course is finished, we can apply for jobs with Combilift and in the past trainees have been very successful.” 3) As a trainee you will be working with established staff members in an organisation and therefore will give them the chance to develop their skills in mentoring. This is known as “reverse mentoring” and allows the employer to gain an insight into your generation, who you are, what you value and how to communicate with you. 4) After the traineeship is complete, you may be in a position to be offered an interview for a role within the company. All employers want to find the best staff for their businesses and they want to retain that staff. By offering traineeships employers can find talented potential employees and develop their skills to best suit the company’s needs. 5) This provision is supported by the Education and Training Boards and co-funded by Programme for Employability, Inclusion and Learning 2014-2020. 16 Successful trainees may be awarded a recognised qualification at level 4, 5 or 6 on the National Framework of Qualifications, or equivalent accreditations depending on the programme of choice. 17