The Power Up Programme is designed to give young people (age 16-24) the confidence to take that important first step in starting their career and becoming work ready. At Kirklees College, we are committed to supporting our students through traineeships and enabling them to develop their knowledge in the classroom and apply it in the workplace.
What is a traineeship?
A traineeship is a course with work experience that gets a young person ready to transition into work or an apprenticeship. Our Power Up Programme is 12 weeks long with a pre-arranged work placement with a local employer. This programme is suitable for people age 16-24 who are committed to gaining a job or apprenticeship opportunity in the near future. Trainees attend college for up to 15 hours a week for 12 weeks and complete 2 weeks works experience.
The demand for Apprenticeships is high from school/college leavers and many young people narrowly miss out on being offered a place. Companies are being encouraged to offer Traineeships through this government funded programme to those age 16-24 who are actively looking for an apprenticeship or employment. If you were of thinking of taking an apprentice, but not quite ready to take the plunge, then supporting a trainee might be for you.
Why consider taking on a trainee?
- You can access new talent to develop your highly skilled and trained workforce
Your current team can develop through mentoring and coaching a young person.
Receive £1,000 per trainee upon completion of min 70-hour placement
Up to 9 trainees per employer
- Ongoing support from our College team of staff throughout the programme, and beyond.
- It provides an opportunity to gain new ideas and ways of thinking from the next generation of employees, customers, and consumers.
- Supporting young people sends a positive message about the values of the organisation and their commitment to developing their local community.
We have traineeship opportunities in the business, hair & beauty, hospitality & catering, motor vehicle and plastering sectors.

This flexible vocational learning programme offers a broad introduction to the hair and beauty sector. This 12 week traineeship will equip you with the underpinning knowledge and skills specific to the hair and beauty industry. You will also learn a range of transferable employability skills, and maths and English at an appropriate level.
- Gain a Level 1 Certificate in Skills for the hair and beauty sector
- An introduction to the hair and beauty industry, along with health and safety practices within a salon
- Presenting a professional image within a salon
- Develop practical skills in shampooing, conditioning and styling women’s hair

This flexible vocational learning programme offers a broad introduction to the hospitality and catering sector. This 12 week traineeship will equip you with the underpinning knowledge and skills specific to the industry. You will also learn a range of transferable employability skills, and maths and English at an appropriate level.
- Gain a Level 1 Certificate in Hospitality and Catering
- An introduction to the hospitality industry, along with health and safety and food safety awareness in catering
- Develop skills in customer service within the industry
- Gain practical skills in basic food preparation and cooking, along with using kitchen equipment and menu planning

This flexible vocational learning programme offers a broad introduction to the business and administration sector. This 12 week traineeship will equip you with the underpinning knowledge and skills specific to the industry. You will also learn a range of transferable employability skills, and maths and English at an appropriate level.
- Gain a Level 1 Certificate in Skills for Business Administration
- An introduction to business organisations along with developing key business communication skills.
- Develop practical digital skills for work
- Gain an understanding of supporting sustainability within an office environment.

This flexible vocational learning programme offers a broad introduction to the motor vehicle sector. This 12 week traineeship will equip you with the underpinning knowledge and skills specific to the industry. You will also learn a range of transferable employability skills, and maths and English at an appropriate level.
- Gain a Level 1 Certificate in Motor Vehicle Services
- Knowledge of health and safety practices within the trade
- Develop practical skills and knowledge in the use of tools, equipment and materials required to undertake vehicle maintenance
- Knowledge of light vehicle engine mechanical, lubrication and cooling systems
- Focused knowledge and practical skills in steering, suspension and braking systems and components.

This is a flexible programme within the area of plastering that will prepare the individual for progressing to employment into the industry or further study.
This learning programme starts with an initial assessment into your plastering abilities and will then direct you to a Level 1 – Construction Skills (Plastering Pathway) or a Level 2 – Plastering Skimming course. The programme also covers employability skills, maths and English, digital and health and safety.
- Gain a Level 1 Nationally recognised Award in Construction Skills or a nationally recognised Level 2 Plastering Skimming qualification

This flexible vocational learning programme offers a broad introduction to the motor vehicle sector. This 12 week traineeship will equip you with the underpinning knowledge and skills specific to the industry. You will also learn a range of transferable employability skills, and maths and English at an appropriate level.
- Gain a Level 1 Certificate in Motor Vehicle Services
- Knowledge of health and safety practices within the trade
- Develop practical skills and knowledge in the use of tools, equipment and materials required to undertake vehicle maintenance
- Knowledge of light vehicle engine mechanical, lubrication and cooling systems
- Focused knowledge and practical skills in steering, suspension and braking systems and components.