opportunities
Springboard
to
success
RAPt’s apprenticeship programme is helping people to use their experience
of addiction to get back into work, as Nathan Motherwell explains
‘We only have a 15
per cent dropout
rate from the
scheme and 80
per cent of all
apprentices who
started with us
completed their
apprenticeships
and went on to
secure further
employment.’
SINCE 2013 RAPt have been running an apprenticeship
programme with a difference, and it’s been quite successful.
We recruit apprentices to work in our drug and alcohol
treatment services across the country, helping people to
address their addiction – and our apprentices are all in
recovery themselves. So while helping people into work, the
scheme also supports people in their own recovery.
The apprenticeship scheme is about recognising the value
of people’s personal experience of addiction and recovery, so
we don’t have any maximum age restriction. In fact, I’m quite
proud to say, the average age of a RAPt apprentice is 45. RAPt
managers report that apprentices provide a visible example of
recovery in action, bring new energy to the teams, and offer
extensive personal experience of addiction and recovery.
Feedback from other RAPt staff has been that apprentices bring
fresh motivation, as well as a unique energy and passion that
can change the whole team dynamic in a very positive way.
Many of our apprentices have little or no work experience,
and no previous experience is required. Some have been in
recovery a while and are looking for a career change after
working in another field, while others have voluntary
experience and are looking to get their first paid job.
The apprentices work towards a level 3 NVQ qualification in
substance misuse or counselling. The scheme ensures that we offer significant support and learning every
step of the way – all apprentices are allocated a mentor as well as a line manager. They get a wage of just
under £20,000 a year for the London areas, and we also pay an allowance for external supervision and
provide regular support meetings.
A lot of our apprenticeships are based within prisons in London, Kent, Norfolk, Surrey and Sussex.
One of the challenges has been getting people with criminal convictions the security clearance to work
in the prison system. We have also offered a large number of apprenticeships within our community
projects and administration roles at our head office.
The results of the scheme are amazing, especially considering the challenging nature of working
inside prisons. In the last three years we have offered more than 80 recovering addicts and alcoholics
apprenticeship placements at RAPt. We only have a 15 per cent dropout rate from the scheme and 80
per cent of all apprentices who started with us completed their apprenticeships and went on to secure
further employment. Many of them have moved on and are now working for other service providers,
as well as many being employed permanently with us at RAPt.
With the new government apprenticeship levy coming into force this month, funding could become
available for apprentices of all ages. We are hoping this could enable RAPt to expand the scheme and
roll out our apprentice programme to other service providers.
Nathan Motherwell is RAPt apprenticeship co-ordinator and a former RAPt client in recovery
10 | drinkanddrugsnews | April 2017
‘their faith in me
was priceless’
Former RAPt
apprentice Gary
Broadway shares
how the scheme
started his career
i had my last drink in 1995 and I’ve been sober ever
since. When I found out about the RAPt apprentice scheme, it
seemed like the ideal next step for me.
My role as a drug and alcohol practitioner apprentice
involved a huge variety of things, from admin to working with
clients. I went to college as part of the scheme, gaining NVQ
levels 2 and 3 in counselling. RAPt were great and made sure
that I got the help I needed.
‘My favourite thing was working with challenging clients
and seeing the difference in them, as well as learning new
skills. I’d never used a computer before I started, but soon
learnt to use one to write reports. My confidence grew so
much, as well as my skills. When a job as an alcohol worker
came up, I decided to go for it and I got it.
‘To be given a chance to be an apprentice is an honour
and I’m eternally grateful. RAPt had faith in me and that
feeling is priceless. It’s wonderful to be able to tell my kids
about what I’m doing – they’re so proud of me. I would tell
anyone to have a go at the apprenticeship. It has been an
amazing chance and has shown me I can now have a career
in a job I love.
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