Government publish Traineeship Framework for 16-24 year olds

First published on Tue, May 14, 2013.

The government has published the Framework for Delivery of its new Traineeship programme, designed to prepare young people to progress into employment or an Apprenticeship. The programme will commence in August 2013 for students aged 16-19 and will be extended to young people up to 24 in due course.

Purpose and Structure of Traineeships

Traineeships are intended to meet the needs of young people who:

• are not currently in a job and have little work experience;

• are qualified below Level 3; and

• have a reasonable chance of being ready for employment or an apprenticeship within six months of engaging in a traineeship.

The core content of traineeships will be a high quality work placement, work preparation training and English and maths (to GCSE A*-C standard). Providers and employers will have the freedom to bring these elements together as they see fit to support individual trainees. 

Delivery and Funding

Traineeships should be a partnership between employers and education and training providers. Employers will have the opportunity to lead the delivery of traineeships through the Employer Ownership of Skills pilot, partnership with education providers, or even by becoming an approved provider in their own right in future years. Education and training providers that currently deliver provision for 16-19 year olds and hold a contract with the Education Funding Agency will be able to deliver traineeships, and will be funded on a per student basis.

Pay and Reimbursement

Employers are not required to pay young people for the work placement under the traineeship. Traineeships fall under an exemption to the National Minimum Wage. Young people in receipt of Jobseeker’s Allowance or the new Universal Credit will continue to be able to do so while taking part in a traineeship.