Help for care leavers to get an apprenticeship or traineeship

Apprenticeships

As an apprentice you'll:

• work alongside experienced staff
• gain job-specific skills
• earn a wage and get holiday pay
• get time for study related to your role (usually one day a week)

Traineeships

As a trainee you'll get:

• a work experience placement
• help with English and Maths (if you need it)

You won't be paid, but you may be given expenses for things like travel and meals.

Help with finding an apprenticeship or traineeship

Your Young Person's Advisor (YPA) or your social worker will help you to find an apprenticeship or traineeship. They will help you complete application forms, prepare for interviews and provide help with money.

They will also support you to get help from DurhamWorks and the Adult Learning and Skills Service (below).

DurhamWorks

With DurhamWorks you will have a Personal Advisor who will support you to go forward into further education, training or employment. They'll give you lots of information, advice and guidance about the range of apprenticeships and traineeships available to you. They will:

• help you find out what you want to do
• get you the skills and qualifications you need
• find you the experience you need
• support you with benefits, housing and care arrangements
• help you into work, volunteering, further learning or training
• give you in work support and aftercare up until December 2021

You can refer yourself by contacting them through their website DurhamWorks where they have a chat facility so you can speak directly to an advisor. You can also ask your social worker to refer you to DurhamWorks for support. 

DurhamLearn

With a DurhamLearn apprenticeship you can get hands on experience in a job, earning a wage while you gain valuable skills, knowledge and qualifications. Apprenticeship programmes include:

• business administration
• information technology 
• customer service
• health and social care
• support teaching and learning in schools.

Their traineeships can help to prepare you for an apprenticeship or a job by helping you to become 'work ready'. They offer courses such as a Traineeship for Care Leavers. This is specifically designed to meet your needs - you will have the opportunity to go on a work placement, improve your english and maths, as well as receiving help with any problems such as child care, transport or costs. They'll also help you plan your next steps.