A traineeship is a skills development programme with work experience for young people, which is customised to individual needs. It can serve as a progression route and pathway into apprenticeships or other form of paid employment. Some programmes may only be for 16 -18 year olds and some may be for 19 – 24 year olds, so it is worth clarifying this with the provider who is offering the programme.

Traineeships are focused on providing a high quality work experience placement, giving you the opportunity to obtain the skills and experience that employers are looking for.
The learning is free, and the employer may cover the cost of expenses like food and travel. The cost of any qualifications you complete during the traineeship may be covered, and there may be an apprenticeship or job opportunity at the end of the traineeship programme.

They usually last less than six months but can range from six weeks to one year – again, this is entirely dependent on the support an individual learner may need.

The first strand is the mandatory core content of a traineeship, and consists of three elements:

• Work experience - to develop workplace skills that give you meaningful work experience. The training provider will do their best to find you a work placement in an area that you are interested e.g. construction, digital, engineering, hospitality, care, to name a few.
• Work preparation training - to prepare you with the Skills for Working Life in a particular sector as well as Employability Skills covering areas like CV writing, interview preparation, job search and inter-personal skills.
• English and maths Functional Skills and digital skills if required.

The second strand is a flexible element such as a vocational qualification that supports the occupation you are interested in, for example, this could be a Food Safety Course for working in the hospitality sector.

You can apply for a traineeship if you’re eligible to work in England, have little or no work experience, and are aged 16 to 24 - or 25 with an Education, Health and Care (EHC) plan, and qualified to L3 (A Level equivalent) or below.

There are many benefits to traineeships, including:

• Training to prepare you for work, including CV writing.
• Support to improve your English, Maths and digital skills if needed.
• Sector focused vocational learning to help prepare you for an apprenticeship or job.
• A high quality work placement of at least 70 hours.
• An interview for an apprenticeship or job if available, or an exit interview with feedback.
• Programmes can be tailored to meet your needs and prepare you for what local businesses are looking for.

You can find traineeship vacancies:

• By asking your local college or training provider if they have opportunities; such as Green Labyrinth, Whitehead Ross, New College Swindon and Swindon Adult Community Learning.
• By speaking to your school careers lead if you’re 16 to 18 years old.
• By speaking to your Jobcentre Plus adviser if you’re receiving benefits.
• On the government Find a traineeship page.

• Traineeship information for trainees
• Find a Traineeship
• Green Labyrinth Traineeships
• Whitehead Ross Traineeships
• New College Swindon
• Adult Community Learning
• Wiltshire College and University Centre: Traineeships