ASPIRE – Support For Employees

The Shared Apprenticeship Programme within Blaenau Gwent is a strategic project with a number of partners; Ebbw Vale Enterprise Zone, Education, Industry and Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council. The programme is set to enhance skills development within the manufacturing and engineering companies to develop business growth; whilst tackling unemployment and providing aspirational opportunities for young people across the local authority.
How does it work? ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Apprentices will be employed by Aspire Blaenau Gwent and placed with a host manufacturing company for the duration of the apprenticeship (2-3 years) following a selection process and interview;
A learning pathway will be agreed by the Host Company and the apprentice with Coleg Y Cymoedd who is the delivery partner and to who funding has been allocated;
Apprentices will rotate employers to fulfil any skills gaps; and
Apprentices will be paid above minimum apprenticeship wage ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Entry requirements ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

• Age 16yrs -24yrs
• 5 GCSE Grades A-C Including STEM subjects
• A level pass in STEM subjects – especially maths and science
• Starting VRQ
• Completed Enhanced Engineering Programme or Pathways to Apprenticeships
• Completed VRQ at college