The two year programme enables those who successfully complete the course to choose whether to go straight into the workplace aged 16 or to go on to gain further qualifications.
The Programme requires attendance one day per week in NETA’s fully-equipped workshops where pupils will gain an insight into several disciplines such as sheet metal, electronics and electrical and design through a mix of practical, hands-on training and classroom-based theory as well as site visits supervised by NETA staff.
Pupils are required to complete a number of compulsory elements such as Health and Safety, as well as optional subject areas.
On completion of the Programme successful pupils will also have achieved the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH), Appointed Persons First Aid and Safety Passport qualifications, increasing their employability.
The Young Apprenticeship Programme was launched in 2007 and a number of schools from across Tees Valley have already seen it as a valuable addition to the curriculum. At present there are two groups of Year 10 and two groups of Year 11 made up of pupils from various schools in the Tees Valley.