Jane Wenman
Chief Executive | Careerforce
For many people, when they think of apprenticeships and apprentices, they’ll likely think of predominantly young people, and chances are they will also think hammers, nails, wrenches, wiring or u-bends.
Chances are they won’t think of apprenticeships across the ‘softer’ professions such as those across health and wellbeing.
Careerforce Chief Executive: Jane Wenman
This requires quite a shift in perception, and this has been a priority of Careerforce since launching apprenticeships in 2016, and which lead to the NZ Certificate in Health & Wellbeing, Level 4.
Careerforce apprenticeships are a little different to your apprenticeships in the traditional trades professions such as building and mechanics, which typically attract school leavers or people setting out on a new career path. Careerforce apprenticeships in health and wellbeing are for experienced workers and provides an opportunity for them to have their existing skills and competencies recognised via a formal qualification, and to support their career advancement.
The health and wellbeing sector continues to face workforce shortages, and demand is only likely to increase as our population grows, and health needs become more complex. Covid-19 has led to displacement for many people, particularly across sectors such as tourism, hospitality and retail, and it is these people who may have the attributes we need for roles across our sectors. In return, we are now much better placed to offer roles which can offer improved remuneration, and qualification-supported career pathways.
The Government has recognised health and wellbeing sector as a priority sector, and also recognised the impact of Covid-19 on employers. In response, it has launched the Targeted Training and Apprenticeships Fund (TTAF), and the Apprenticeship Boost Fund.
TTAF removes enrolment fees from most Health & Wellbeing programmes through to December 2022, previously a key barrier to training. Apprenticeship Boost effectively provides a wage subsidy to employers of apprentices of $1000/mth for apprentices in their first year, and $500/mth for apprentices in their second year, up to $16,000 for each apprentice they employ.
The combination of these Government funds means there has never been a better time to upskill staff in on-job training, and certainly never been a better time to consider enrolling staff in a Level 4 Health & Wellbeing apprenticeship programme. Careerforce apprenticeship programmes are fully work-based, with apprentices receiving one-on-one pastoral care from an Apprenticeship Advisor, and Careerforce providing all assessment support.
We would welcome the opportunity to come and talk with you about how work-place based training programmes and apprenticeship programmes work. Please go here to find more information on our Apprenticeship in Social Services, and for more information on TTAF and Apprenticeship Boost.
And remember, apprenticeships are not just about hammers and nails!
More information about Careerforce Apprenticeships
Courtesy of Community Scoop – November 11, 2020