What is a Traineeship?

A traineeship is a skills development programme that includes a high quality work experience placement and qualifications to support your chosen occupational pathways.

A Traineeship can be used as a pre apprenticeship programme, meaning that the Traineeship programme is designed as an entry into a career pathway funded by the Government and is designed for anyone who is not yet ready to undertake an apprenticeship.

The core part of a traineeship is a work experience style placement with an employer where they will undertake normal work duties associated with a role within the company alongside formal study. They are a great way for an employer to bring talent into an organisation, provide opportunities for individuals to learn their business and to get an early look at talent before taking them on as an employee and providing further learning such as an apprenticeship.

Who are they aimed at?

Traineeships are a great option for young people aged between 16 and 24 (or 25 for individuals with an Education and Health Care Plan), who do not yet have the skills or experience to be employed or enrolled on an apprenticeship.

Traineeships act as a skills development programme, where they complete an unpaid work placement alongside a training course.

They can last from 6 weeks up to 1 year (although most last around 12-18 weeks) and are designed to help prepare you for work or an apprenticeship.

How Traineeships work

The core elements of a Traineeship include:

• Completion of a quality work placement of at least 70 hours and maximum of 240 hours with a local employer(s). Training provided to ensure the trainee is equipped with the skills needed to succeed in the placement
• Development in English and maths skills, and working towards a qualification in both
• CV and application support
• An exit interview at the end of the placement which provides written feedback about the Trainee’s performance
• Active Apprentice Traineeship schemes will also contain vocational training elements linked to an occupation in preparation for them to undertake an apprenticeship.

The training provider will arrange a work placement with an employer, and then work together to create an individual plan for the trainee, providing additional work preparation prior to the placement. Further information can be viewed here

Who can apply?

You can apply for a Traineeship if you are:

• Eligible to work in England
• Have little or no work experience
• Aged 16 to 24, or 25 with an Education, Health Care Plan (EHCP)
• You must not be qualified at Level 4 or above

Funding a Traineeship

Traineeships are unpaid because they are a work experience placement, not a job. All aspects of the training are funded by the Government direct to the training provider.

Employers are encouraged to support trainees with their expenses, such as transport and meals and some employers may be eligible to claim an employer incentive payment of £1000 per Trainee (for up to 10 Trainees per region) from the Government to cover the costs of the placement. Learners must finish their programme before the 31^st July 2022 to be eligible to claim the incentive.

Depending on the Trainees circumstances, they may be eligible for support with education related costs and the training provider can support with this.

If the Trainee receives benefits, the Trainee will still receive these during the Traineeship or if they are working part time, they can continue to do this if they aren’t working more than 16 hours a week.

Traineeship Benefits

• Traineeships offer great opportunities for young people who have little or no work experience.
• They can enhance your employability by providing guidance, skills and experience in your chosen area of interest.
• They offer the employer a chance to work with a young person to ensure they are right for the organisation before offering an apprenticeship or employment.

Trainees will also gain:

• Techniques in writing a CV and job applications
• An understanding of what it is like to work for an employer
• Transferable skills and knowledge from other employees working in their sector of
• Interest increased confidence and self-esteem valuable work experience in a supportive environment
• Opportunities to interview for a permanent role if a vacancy becomes available
• An opportunity to improve literacy, numeracy, and digital skills
• Valuable exit interview feedback to prepare for future job applications.