APPRENTICESHIP LEARNER GUIDE

Established in 1998, the Royal Artillery Centre for Personal Development (RACPD) is a successful provider of apprenticeships and nationally recognised qualifications to the Royal Artillery, other Service personnel and the wider Defence community including veterans and dependants.

We offer over 40 civilian vocational and professional qualifications to help improve an individual’s skills and knowledge now, and in preparation for their next career. We cover a wide range of subjects within our courses, from logistics to telecommunications, teacher education, Functional Skills and leadership & management.

CEO IntroductionWelcome to RACPD and the Royal Artillery apprenticeship scheme. We are looking forward to supporting you on your learning

journey starting with a level 2 apprenticeship at the beginning of your career. Your apprenticeship will consist of Functional Skills in maths and English followed by work based learning, in your new role, in your regiment. You will be mentored throughout by an assessor, who may be a civilian who has served in the Army or by a Green Assessor; someone in uniform in your unit who is helping us to help you. Once you are in the unit you will also meet your RACPD Personal Development Advisor/Mentor and Learning Centre Manager; both of them will be very happy to help you with any apprenticeship or education queries you may have. Once you have achieved your first apprenticeship we hope you will be inspired to continue your learning throughout your Army career and we will provide you with as many options and opportunities (such as a level 3 or 4 apprenticeship, a teaching or IT qualification) to do that as we can. Good luck to you as you start your apprenticeship, keep focussed and enjoy the experience – we will do our best to make sure it is the best educational experience you have.

Claire Foxley Chief Executive

It takes lots of different trades to make an Army effective. There are many jobs to choose from and the Army has one of the largest apprenticeship programmes in the UK which enables soldiers to develop in their roles and gain a qualification in a specific trade.

The Army apprenticeship programme is part of a nationally recognised scheme, giving soldiers the chance to gain a qualification ‘on the job’. This means they also finish the programme with valuable skills and experience they can build on during, and after their career in the military.

There are three apprenticeship levels:Intermediate/Level 2

Military trade training forms part of this level. You’ll complete a range of functional skills qualifications (including English and maths), and where applicable a technical certificate. By the end of the apprenticeship, you’ll be a skilled Army tradesman, and be rewarded with a BTEC Level 2 Diploma – equivalent to five good GCSE passes.

Advanced/Level 3These apprenticeships apply to the Army's technical trades. You'll gain functional skills and where applicable technical certificates through trade training, as well as a BTEC Level 3 Diploma - equivalent to two A-level passes.

Higher/Level 4Many jobs in the Army offer the opportunity to progress to gain professional skills leading to higher qualifications. You can complete a Higher or Degree apprenticeship in trade and this could lead to full Bachelors and Masters Degrees.

What is an apprenticeship?

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1. Initial Assessment

2. Induction

4. On/Off the job training

5. Functional Skills

6. Assessment

7. The future

3. Progress reviews

• Maths• English • ICT

• Meet mentors and assessors• Complete induction paperwork and presentation

• Allows face to face meetings with mentor• Allows setting of goals and checking/assessment of work completed

• At your workplace or when deployed• Whilst on Military training courses• Fits in around your role and career

• In your regiments location• Embedded into the apprenticeship• Fitted around commitments

Learning

RACPD apprenticeships

UASTelecommunications

Horse CareDriving Goods Vehicles

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6. Assessment

7. The future

• Maths• English • ICT

• Meet mentors and assessors• Complete induction paperwork and presentation

• Allows face to face meetings with mentor• Allows setting of goals and checking/assessment of work completed

• At your workplace or when deployed• Whilst on Military training courses• Fits in around your role and career

• In your regiments location• Embedded into the apprenticeship• Fitted around commitments

• Planned to fit around your progress• In conjunction with your Chain of Command• Where possible when events occur at work • May be an end point assessment (UAS only)

• Progress to the next level where appropriate/available• Identify external personal and professional development

LearningJourney

The timing was challenging due to various exercises and an operational tour, but with the help and guidance of my assessor it was made easy for me.Gnr Jamie Ballantine, 5 Regt RA

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1. Initial AssessmentPrior to being inducted onto your chosen apprenticeship you will undergo a series of online assessments to identify your current English and maths levels and also a review of your current relevant skills and to identify any learning needs you may have. This will allow your Personal Development Advisor/Mentor (PDA/M) or Learning Centre Manager (LCM)to identify the academic level you are working at.

2. InductionAt induction you will meet your mentor/assessor who will help and guide you through the apprenticeship programme. They will be qualified and competent in the skills you are learning. You will agree deadlines and be introduced to the systems and policies in place to support your learning.

The induction will outline the overall requirements of the award and how the units will be achieved. At this point opportunities for assessment will be identified and agreed with your assessor.

You will be given your portfolio and there will be paperwork to complete. You will then be given your initial tasks to complete before meeting for your next review in 8 - 12 weeks.

3. Progress ReviewsWhilst on programme you will be able to contact your assessor/mentor at any time. During your review you will discuss what progress you have made including how you have applied your new found skills and knowledge

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(including functional skills) to your job. This is your opportunity to air your views or grievances and seek help and support with any aspect of the programme or evidence collection requirements.

Your assessor/mentor will also help you to set goals to be completed before you meet in again in 8 - 12 weeks’ time.

4. On/Off the job trainingWhilst you are on the programme it is highly likely that you will be undertaking a military trade course that will be tied to your apprenticeship. This is an opportunity to learn new skills, introduce new ways of working and perhaps prepare you for promotion.

The skills you learn in your trade will directly count towards your apprenticeship

and will open up opportunities for assessment and collection of evidence before, during and after the training has been conducted.

The ‘Main Aim’ of the apprenticeship is achieved while spending time in the workplace doing your job. Your assessor will identify times for observations and assessments agreed with you to achieve the goals you agreed at review meetings.

5. Functional SkillsAs part of your apprenticeship, RACPD has a responsibility to support you to achieve your Level 1 or 2 Functional Skills qualifications in English, maths and in some apprenticeships; ICT. This is achieved in one of the RACPD Learning Centres (LC).

You may already hold GCSEs at grade 4 (C) or above which means that you do not need to study further and can concentrate on the Main Aim and the Technical Certificate (if required).

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If you wish to improve your Functional Skills beyond level 2 then you can speak to your PDA/M who can

help direct you to the best sources of information.

6. AssessmentAssessments are conducted in a variety of ways. If you are on an apprenticeship framework you will be observed doing your job, answer a series of questions in a workbook, and provide evidence

of your competency by witness testimonies and personal statements. If you are on an Aviation Ground Operative Standard apprenticeship your assessment will be done in a similiar way during the course but you will do end point assessment (EPA)which includes an online test, a practical and a discussion before you complete. Where at all possible we will work around your day job and achieve assessments in an unobtrusive manner allowing you to just ‘do your job’. More details can be found on the website.

7. The FutureOn successful completion of your apprenticeship you may have the opportunity to progress onto higher levels. Your PDA/M or LCM is your first port of call and will make sure you have all the necessary information to help you decide on your personal development goals, maximising all opportunities available to you.

The skills you have learnt whilst on the apprenticeship will help you in your military career and when you leave the Army. Remember your apprenticeship is widely recognised in industry and this will enable an easier transition into the civilian world workplace.

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Apprenticeship Staff

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DGV/Logistics Lead IQAAndy Ross

01980 845891 or 94322 5891

IQA

Nick Newland01980 845891 or

94322 5891

Senior Assessor

Kevin Needs07515 334596

Telecoms Assessor South

Paul Mules01980 845312 or

94322 5312

UAS IQA

Mark Newman01980 845312 or

94322 5312

Functional Skills Lead

Alison Hinds01980 845554 or

94322 5554

LARKHILLPURVIS LINES

LCM PDA LCA (both)Dave Hone Kerri Doherty Faye Cadman 01980 01980 01980 845770 634261 845273 or 94322 /57705770 14 REGT RA/ROBERTS BARRACKS

LCM PDA Brenda Kerri Edwards Doherty 01980 01980 845273 634261 or 94322 or 94322 5273 2261

Regimental staff

PLYMOUTH PDM

Mark Slaiter 01752 236067 or 93784 6067

CATTERICK/TOPCLIFFE LCM PDA Assessor

Jim Chris Mark Harker Tierney Keane Catterick 07914 01748 875961 or 94712 5961 688466 Topcliffe01845 595230 or 94712 5230

THORNEY ISLAND LCM Assessor

Nikki Walters Kevin Needs 01243 388298 07515 334596 or 94295 8298

COLCHESTER

01206 815393 or 94660 5393

NEWCASTLE PDM

Si Irwin 0191 2393498 or 94723 3484

Key: LCM = Learning Centre Manager

PDA = PD Advisor PDM = PD Mentor

LCA - Learning Centre Administrator

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Your apprenticeship

Your start date

Your planned end date

Functional Skills start date and teacher

Your VLE username

Your assessor

Progress Review date

Your targets/actions

Progress Review date

Your targets/actions

Progress Review date

Your targets/actions

Your details