7. Traineeship

Traineeships are a combination of learning and work experience and are a useful route into the industry, where previous work experience is valued, and sometimes essential.

Who are traineeships designed for?

Traineeships are a great way of getting your career off the ground.

To do a traineeship with
Passcom Nigeria you must:

• Be eligible to work
• Be aged 12+
• Be unemployed and have little or no work experience
• Be motivated to work.

If you’ve never had a weekend or holiday job, and you are struggling to secure an interview or paid position, traineeships can improve your CV with relevant work experience to boost your employability.

Traineeships can also be useful if you want to try out a job before committing to it, perhaps whilst you’re studying for industry qualifications elsewhere.

What’s included in a traineeship?

A traineeship can last anywhere between two weeks and six months.

They provide:
• Essential skills which you might not have
• Employability support, such as writing CVs and job applications, plus interview practice
• Hands-on work experience to add to your CV
• Help with English and Maths (if needed)
• Coaching and mentoring.

The hours you work can be arranged with your employer to suit both of your needs. Whilst you will be required to complete a certain number of hours' meaningful work as part of your traineeship (usually 100 hours for six-month placements) you could complete the training element of the traineeship part-time or full-time, depending on individual circumstances.

Your traineeship will be structured to suit your needs as well as the needs of your work experience provider. You’ll be assigned a mentor who will check in regularly with you to ensure you’re getting the experience you need for the future.

What happens after my placement?

If the company you’re training with takes on apprentices, they may interview you for a role following your placement. If they don’t have vacancies, they may provide you with a professional reference to help you apply for other apprenticeships or jobs.
Either way, you’ll be able to add your traineeship to your CV, to improve your chances of success when applying for work and impress employers with your transferable skills.

How much do trainees get paid?

You won’t earn a wage as a trainee but you’ll gain valuable skills and benefit from free career support. Your employer may offer to cover your expenses for travel and meals.

Once you’ve completed your traineeship, it’s much more likely that you’ll be able to find work and start to earn a salary. As an apprentice, you’d continue learning how to do a specific job, but you’d be paid a wage at the same time.

What’s in it for employers?

Traineeships benefit employers by helping them build relationships in the community. By training young workers in specific skills, they are also able to shape and make the most of talent at an early stage.
Traineeships are designed to meet employers’ needs as much as those of the trainees and offer a chance for existing employees to improve on leadership and skill sharing.

How do I apply for a traineeship?

At PEN, we offer traineeship. Contact us for more details.