Apprenticeship in Christian Ministry

Introduction to the Apprenticeship in Christian Ministry

Would you like to:

• Employ a young person for 12-18months at a reasonable rate of pay? with the costs of their Formal Academic Training being paid by the Welsh Government?
• and delivered by Coleg Sir Gâr and St Padarn’s Institute Coleg Sir Gâr (Essential Skills) and St Padarn’s Institute? (Level4 Mission & Ministry)

If so, keep reading about this Welsh Government Apprenticeship Framework in Christian Ministry designed to help young people Explore Christian Ministry in a 12-18 month paid position and complete the first year of a Theology Degree.

Our Apprenticeship programme is designed for those exploring a vocation in Christian Ministry (Vicar, Chaplain, Priest, Pastor, Minister, Youth/Children/Family Pastor) in any Christian denomination in Wales. It is primarily aimed at those who are 18 to 30*. This apprenticeship will be delivered by Coleg Sir Gâr and St Padarn’s Institute.

St Padarn’s Institute has a long established reputation for delivering high level theological training across Wales and beyond. Under its strap line, formation in community for mission, it seeks to play its part in equipping and empowering people across the world to communicate God’s transformative love. St Padarn’s will provide the theological training that underpins this apprenticeship framework.

Coleg Sir Gâr was created in 1985 and in 2013 became a Ltd Company within the University of Wales: Trinity Saint David Group. Coleg Sir Gâr has five campuses across Wales and employs around 800 staff. It has responsibility for ensuring the apprenticeship is being delivered as agreed and for providing the Essential Skills outlined below. They will do this by keeping in contact with apprentices and employers, providing advice on issues of employment etc and arranging occasional onsite visits.

*The age range can be higher for the right applicant.

How the programme works

Apprentices will usually work 30 hours a week, which includes one morning a week set aside for studying for the Level 4 Certificate in Workplace Mission and Ministry (Apprenticeship). The Certificate is made up 6 modules each of 20 credits delivered over 12 months. Delivery is designed to make it accessible to apprentices across the whole of Wales.

Four modules are taught on-line (although where geography allows apprentices choose to gather in hubs to access the on-line teaching together).

The norm for the delivery of these modules is:

Practical Information

• Induction into Essential Skills happens at the first residential in Cardiff and then continues on Monday afternoons throughout the duration of the academic year.
• Facilitated learning groups are designed to encourage reflective practice.
• Two more modules are taught on two weeklong residentials, either at our college premises in Llandaff, or at a venue of equal standards in north Wales (to facilitate geographical equity).
• There is a programme leader and coordinator responsible for the Certificate overall, with teaching provided by subject specialists.
• Learning support for those with additional needs is provided by a Disability Advisory Tutor.

The Training Programme

All successful applicants will study a Higher Apprenticeship which means on completion they will receive a Level 4 qualification in Ministry & Mission which will be accredited by University of Wales Trinity Saint David. In effect, completing the first year of a theology degree. These are the modules within that Programme:

Additional Level 2 Training is available in the following Essential Skills, for Apprentices who may need some extra input to complete the training programme:

• Communication / Literacy
• Welsh Language
• Application of Number
• Digital Literacy

Salary

Approved Apprenticeships in Wales are fully-funded by the Welsh Government which means you don’t have to pay for their training programme. This funding will cover all the costs of the registration, delivery and certification of all qualifications within the apprenticeship framework. Although all training fees are covered, the local Church / Benefice / Circuit / Mission/Ministry Area will employ the apprentice and will need to renumerate them a minimum of £226.50 a week. However, if you can provide accommodation, then that figure becomes £74.62*. This is based on the full time/30hours pattern mentioned earlier. But it is also possible to undertake a part time apprenticeship at a minimum of 16hours a week*. Both these options attract the free training programme funded by Welsh Government.

*While these numbers are based on best estimates, you should check with the employer. Although £7.55 per hour is the minimum wage for apprentices. So, no employer can pay below this.

*The minimum wage is still £7.55 an hour. But accommodation can still be used to offset this figure. But it is in your hands as an employer if you wish to offer this option.

*This hourly rate rises to the national living wage rate in year 2 but the housing allowance will still apply.

For more advice on pay, pensions and employee National Insurance contributions for apprentices please see the Gov.UK website:

Apprenticeship pay https://www.gov.uk/national-minimum-wage-rates

Accommodation offset rules https://www.gov.uk/national-minimum-wage-accommodation

Pensions - Workplace pensions: Joining a workplace pension - GOV.UK

National Insurance Contributions https://www.gov.uk/national-insurance-rates-letters

Holidays

Apprentices receive 20 days paid holiday per year, plus bank holidays. But they should ensure that holidays are not taken when there are residentials or teaching mornings.

Additional Funding

There are often incentives advertised by Welsh Government that those employing apprentices on an approved Apprenticeship Framework can apply for. In previous years the Government have offered a flat rate grant for those employing apprentices. This year the funding is available for those employing apprentices who have a disability. Because of the recognised importance of introducing younger people to church leadership, some national offices/diocese/regions may also provide grant funding at various levels. It is always worth making the enquiry.

Assesment

There are no exams or mid term test for apprentices. Three of the modules will be assessed by essays (3,000 words), but given the nature of this apprenticeship, two will be assessed by means of portfolios looking at specific areas of ministry – and will likely include a presentation part to practice public speaking. The final module will be assessed by a written reflection, on their time with you incorporating diary entries if appropriate. And there is of course additional learning support available for those who should need it.

After the Apprenticeship

The apprenticeship with its Level 4 qualification attached will open up several career routes:

• It is hoped that a number of those who take this apprenticeship would explore ordination within their particular denomination during the year to 18months and at the end of their time as apprentices would go on to enter the next stage of that as set out by their denominational practices6 –
• Some may go on to full employment with those who employed them as apprentices, possibly as youth/children’s workers, pastoral assistants or a wide range of other employment opportunities.
• A e apprentice will qualify with a first year degree qualification. They will be able to enter University and do Level 5 and Level 6 to complete a degree in the following two years.

Entry Requirements and recruiting an apprentice

There are no formal entry requirements for this apprenticeship. But we would expect:

• Trust, integrity and honesty are all characteristics valued by employers in the Church/Ministry services sector.
• DBS checks are essential as employees may well find themselves working with vulnerable adults and children.
• Most churches will require at least 12months experience of a Church Community

There are two ways of applying for an apprentice:

1. If you already have people in mind, or have recruited/identified through your internal processes, the drop me an e-mail on the e-mail below and we will help make that happen.
2. E-mail the address below, expressing an interest and we will then get back to you and ask for further information in order to match you with the right apprentice.