The Association of Apprentices and Chartered Institution for Further Education has announced the launch of the Post Apprenticeship Recognition Scheme (PARS).
PARS is a new awards scheme for those who have completed an apprenticeship in the UK. Successful applicants will be able to use letters after their name, which means people will automatically recognise their apprenticeship achievement.
Having the PARS award letters after an individuals name shows that:
- The individual has skills that would be an asset to any organisation
- They have work experience
- They are part of, and contribute to a wider apprentice community
- They are committed to developing a professional standard
There are four PARS awards, depending on your apprenticeship level:
CSA – Certificate of Standard Apprenticeship (Level 2)
CAA – Certificate of Advanced Apprenticeship (Level 3)
CHA – Certificate of Higher Apprenticeship (Levels 4 & 5)
CGA – Certificate of Graduate Apprenticeship (Levels 6 & 7)
Recognising apprentices’ transferable skills, whilst creating a sense of loyalty and pride via PARS promises to incentivise apprentices to complete their programmes and also help employers to retain more talent.
It could also help to challenge misconceptions of the value of apprenticeships nationally.