This document describes a free in-company apprenticeship program that provides funding and support for apprentices. It includes initial screening, skills analysis, qualifications, assessments, and verification over the course of a basic or advanced apprenticeship. The only requirements for participating companies are to provide fair wages, time for training and assessments, and a mentor. Ready-made portfolios are also provided to document apprentice progress and collect evidence for qualifications in a simple, organized manner.

1. In­Company Apprenticeships
Free Apprenticeship Program
A completely free Apprenticeship program which is fully
funded, supported and assessed in­company with a
relevant industry skilled assessor from ETA . All the
work is done for you, including:
Basic Apprenticeship
Initial Apprentice screening & H&S company Audit (Funding Provider)
Job skills analysis (Funding Provider)
NVQ Induction
Training structure and advice to company trainers/mentors
Key skills qualifications (Funding Provider)
Employment Rights and responsibilities (Funding Provider)
NVQ Portfolios and knowledge reference material
12 monthly assessments for a level 2 NVQ (including marking and additional
training discussions)
Assessment of Portfolio and all assessment paperwork
Internal/External verification (Funding Provider)
Advanced Apprenticeship options:
Level 3 specialist job skills analysis
12 monthly assessments for a level 3 NVQ (including marking and additional
training discussions)
Assessment of level 3 Portfolio and all assessment paperwork
Internal/External verification (Funding Provider)
Enrolment at your local Technical college ­ level 3 qualification in Engineering
or the Diploma in Casting Technology – Local or Distance learning Option
If taking the (Diploma in Castings Technology) – you receive Specialist
Training workshop days and an on­line training account. This also includes
additional Casting related on­line multi­media courses and assessment.
The only company input needed is to provide the apprentice with a fair minimum wage and
allow time for the training. You must allow the apprentice enough time to complete his/her
NVQ practical tasks, knowledge questions and BTEC studies. College option is normally by
day release; Distance Learning is usually completed in­company but there may be training
days off site. A good guide is to allow one day NVQ related activities and one day college
related activities each week.
Additionally, you need to provide some mentor support for the apprentice – someone
responsible and competent who can provide the local on­the­job training.

2. In­Company Apprenticeships
NVQ Portfolio’s
As part of your Apprenticeship program, you are provided with a ready­made portfolio set
which includes all printing and material costs, constant updates and a small licence fee for
using the ETA developed system.
The portfolios cover all the required evidence in a simple to use and fully explained way. These
Portfolios, designed by ETA are fully cross­referenced, holistic (when relevant), adopts a
unique pocket assignment approach, include mentor notes and are colour coded to help identify
who does what.
Knowledge Portfolio Workshop Portfolios
The Knowledge Portfolio contains progress reports, reviews and all the non­holistic
evidence towards the Mandatory units of the NVQ. It also includes the Knowledge
questions for your Specialist Units.
The Workshop Portfolios contains the practical tasks required for the specialist units.
There may be several of these depending on the pathway.
By splitting the two books in this way, you can use the Knowledge Portfolio during theory
sessions (off the job) and have a better chance of keeping this information clean! The
Workshop Portfolios can be used in the workshop as the apprentice completes his/her
practical tasks.