Changing attitudes to apprenticeships:
Good Practice Guide

The Good Practice Guide was developed as part of Versa’s programme to change attitudes amongst young people and their families/communities from disadvantaged areas of Leeds and Sheffield.

Our work showed that with encouragement and information, young people from black and minority ethnic groups do have an interest in joining apprenticeship programmes. Ensuring that all parts of our society have equal access to, and participation in, education, training and employment opportunities is the mark of a democratic society. In the current economic conditions that challenge has become more difficult.

This Good Practice Guide identifies what we did, what worked and what did not. We hope that you find the Guide and resources useful if you too wish to increase participation in Apprenticeships and other training by young people from disadvantaged backgrounds or who may have underachieved at school. We hope you will gain from our experiences and use our practical insights to make your approaches even more successful.

We would welcome any feedback on the usefulness of the Good Practice Guide. Similarly, if you would like more details about the Guide please do not hesitate to get in touch. Please send all comments to changingattitudes@versa.uk.com.


Provided below, in addition to the Good Practice Guide itself, are a selection of materials and resources from the project that you can download.

Good Practice Guide The Guide is packed with practical resources to help prepare case studies, engage with schools, make contact with different communities, select and use role models and prepare mentors to support apprentices and to work with training providers and employers. It does not contain all the answers, but it will give you somewhere to start your journey. Click here or on the image to view (PDF 1.95mb)
Role Model profiles Here are some examples of profiles of role models who were drawn from successful local apprenticeships. These role models' profiles were used and distributed at local events. This worked very well. Click here or on the image to view (PDF 2.35mb)
Schools Matrix The matrix contains examples of activities that are carried out with schools. Not all events happened at every school: schools could select the most appropriate combination. This worked well. Click here or on the image to view (PDF 300k)
Schools presentations An initial PowerPoint presentation used mainly with whole cohorts of pupils. Well received by pupils and their teachers. Click here or on the image to view (PDF 1.9mb)
Session plans Examples of some of the successful presentations that can be adapted to suit you schools, age groups and backgrounds of pupils. These worked well. Click here or on the image to view (PDF 115k)
Press releases Examples of releases used with the local press. The emphasis is on local people, schools and success. Used effectively with community groups, at local events and at schools. Click here or on the image to view (PDF 2.35mb)
Role model certificate The certificate was welcomed by role models as something they would use with their employers and in their CVs to identify the personal growth in communication and social skills. All role models were rewarded with a small gift as a way of saying thanks. Highly appreciated and very effective. Click here or on the image to view (PDF 200k)
Mentors handbook The handbook can be used with groups of mentors to train them to support apprentices and others. It should be used by appropriate trainers to complement existing training or preparation of those supporting apprenticeships. This is one of the most valuable resources in the Guide and has been very effective. Click here or on the image to view (PDF 300k)
Fact Sheet A very useful and straightforward factsheet for parents explaining Apprenticeships. This was very helpful as it allowed parents to take it away and talk with other family members about opportunities. This helped break down barriers and raise awareness. Click here or on the image to view (PDF 700k)
Press Adverts 1 and 2 These powerful adverts for Apprenticeships reflected achievements of local young people. Adverts were used in local press but also in community centres and school. Careers teachers found the adverts prompted lots of enquiries at their school. Click here or on the image to view (PDF 0.9mb)
Stakeholder map This is an example of the range of stakeholders who have an interest in raising participation in Apprenticeships from amongst black and minority ethnic communities. The trick is then to work out which ones will actively and practically support your initiative to engage with young people and their communities. Click here or on the image to view (PDF 30k)
Focus group reports (1 and 2) These reports identify the issues raised by different focus groups. Their insights were very useful in tailoring some of our activities, communications and establishing links with important people in lives of local young people. We found this provided some of the most rewarding discussions we had about Apprenticeships. Click here to view the Young Peoples' Focus Group Report (PDF 600k) Click here to view the Asian Womens' Focus Group Report (PDF 72k)

The National Apprenticeship Service (NAS) was launched in April 2009. Reporting to the Departments for Innovation, Universities and Skills (DIUS) and Children, Schools and Families (DCSF), the service has responsibility for driving forward the government’s ambition for Apprenticeships. The service aims to bring about a significant growth in the number of employers offering Apprenticeships.

Find out more at www.apprenticeships.org.uk