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Background to the MoD Schemes
The MOD offers both craft and technician apprenticeship schemes. Craft schemes prepare you for a hands on engineering role usually within MOD workshops. Technician schemes normally prepare you for engineering management roles working within project or delivery teams. These roles do not usually involve hands on engineering.
Common features are:
- MoD scheme delivers an achievement driven 32-42 month apprenticeship (most complete in around 36 months)
- the scheme is fully aligned to the Advanced/Modern Apprenticeship Framework
- achievement against this framework attracts output related funding from the Skills Funding Agency (SFA) and Local Enterprise Companies (LEC)
- apprentices are on a limited term contract for the duration of their apprenticeship
- MoD has both craft and technician apprentices learning various trade disciplines
- apprentices undertake Standard Based Training which involves following a defined syllabus of learning that you must complete whilst generating evidence of learning and achievement
- training consists of "off the job" and "on the job" instruction
- Standard Based Training is a structured training program which delivers specific business focussed training whilst meeting the Academic Qualification, Vocational Qualifications and Key/Core skills requirements of the Advanced/Modern Apprenticeship framework
Recruitment Process
Generally employing establishments start their recruitment programmes during January/February annually, with successful candidates commencing their training around August/September of the same year.
The recruitment process consists of the following stages:
a. Advertise requirement and applications submitted
b. MOD sifts applicants based on any specific criteria advertised (i.e. minimum qualifications) and invites suitable applicants to attend MOD apprentice selection. Minimum entry criteria are:
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Craft Apprenticeships
Generally no formal qualifications are necessary for entry to a craft scheme. However, some establishments may carry out tasks that are considered to be of a highly technical nature, therefore applicants may be required to possess (or be predicted to obtain before commencing employment) minimum qualifications, such as, GCSE passes at level A, B, C (or the Scottish equivalent) in Mathematics, English Language and a Science based subject
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Technician Apprenticeships
Applicants are required to possess (or be predicted to obtain before commencing employment) a minimum of 4 GCSEs at level A, B, C (or the Scottish equivalent) in Mathematics, English Language, a Science based subject and one other.
c. suitable applicants attend selection exercises. The aim of these is to ascertain their suitability to cope with the content of the apprenticeship.
d. MOD selects candidates for interview based on performance at selection and application information
e. Selection interviews held. These will explore the applicant's interest in the scheme, their level of trade/specialisation knowledge and their suitability with regard to: working with others, analysing information, communicating and influencing and planning and managing work
f. MOD reviews performance and selects preferred candidates and reserves if appropriate. Provisional offers of employment are made
g. Pre employment checks are completed. These consist of:
- Medical Examination - All successful applicants will have to undertake a medical to ensure that as potential employees they are able to undertake the apprenticeship and to assist in identifying the need for any reasonable adjustments that may be required. Also, applicants must take into consideration the mobility required to work in certain restricted conditions within ships, vehicles and aircraft
- Security clearance check - Relevant to the apprenticeship applied for
- Reference check
h. Subject to satisfactorily completing all of the above an offer of employment will be made
Terms of Employment
Apprenticeship Employment Contracts
On commencement of training an apprentice is required to sign a Contract of employment/Statement of Particulars. This may also be supported by a Deed/Indenture of apprenticeship. The contract of employment is a legal agreement between the apprentice (and his/her parent/guardian if under 18) and the Department.
Provided the apprentice applies himself/herself and fulfils all the requirements of the apprenticeship, the Contract of employment guarantees training and employment for the duration of the apprenticeship.
Duration
Apprenticeships normally commence between August and September, and consist of 3 phases of training. The training will normally take 36 months to complete.
Pay
Apprentices are generally paid in accordance with the recommended MoD pay scales. Rates of pay will be notified within the advert for each scheme.
Apprentices are awarded an increase in pay when they progress from one phase to another.
Training
Apprentices will undertake Standards Based Training which is designed to provide the MOD with the craftsmen and women and technical officers it requires to carry out its business. Training consists of academic study, basic skills development and vocational experience.
The first year of an MOD apprenticeship will normally consist of wholly academic and basic skills training. This is likely to involve workshop practice aligned to a Level 2 NVQ in Performing Engineering Operations (or Scottish equivalent) and study towards a National Certificate. The excat nature of training provided will be determined by the apprenticeship being completed and will differ between locations and specialisations.
The second and third years of an apprenticeship will be spent predominantly developing vocational skills with an expectation that apprentices will work with increasing independence. Depending on the apprenticeship being followed periods of academic study are also likely to be included as well as ongoing development of basic skills (i.e. key skills).
Academic Qualifications
Craft apprentices are required to attain a minimum of a City and Guilds (L3) or an EDEXEL (BTEC)/SQA National Certificate.
Technician apprentices are required to attain a Higher National Certificate.
N/SVQs
Standards Based Training is also linked to the attainment of a National or Scottish Vocational Qualification at levels 2 and 3.
Resource and Initiative Training
All MOD apprentices must undertake some form of Resource and Initiative Training as part of their syllabus. This may take the form of an Outward Bound activity, in-house project or a community based project.
Equal Opportunities
The Ministry of Defence is an Equal Opportunities employer fully committed to equal opportunity policies and positively welcomes applications from suitably qualified individuals, irrespective of racial origin, sex or disability.