Employers
Employers
What levels of Apprenticeship are there?
There are various levels of apprenticeship to apply for depending on current skills and qualifications. Apprenticeships have equivalent educational levels:
Intermediate – Level 2
Equivalent Educational Level – 5 GCSE passed at grade A* – C or 9 – 4
Advanced – Level 3
Equivalent Educational Level – 2 A Level Passes
Higher – Level 4, 5, 6 and 7
Equivalent Educational Level – HND Level and above
Degree – Level 6 and 7
Equivalent Educational Level – Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree
All apprenticeships include elements of on and off the job training, leading to industry recognised standards or qualifications. Some apprenticeships will require an assessment at the end of the programme (End Point Assessment) to assess the apprentice’s ability and competence in their job role.
Why is an Apprenticeship good for business?
Hiring an apprentice can help grow your business by allowing you to train your staff in line with your business requirements, boosting productivity and competitiveness. A research study carried out by the Centre for Economics and Business Research (Cebr) found that, on average, each apprentice brings an increase in productivity of more than £10,000 per year for their employer, with figures for some sectors even higher.
In addition to building a business’s skills base, apprenticeships are particularly cost-effective as a form of training, because young people are making a contribution to the workplace while they are learning. Providing quality training to apprentices is also likely to bring benefits through staff retention. A key factor is that staff typically feel loyal to employers who have invested in their training, and are therefore more engaged and motivated to stay.
Understanding Apprenticeship Framework and Standards
Apprenticeship standards replaced apprenticeship frameworks, which have been developed by ‘trailblazer’ employer groups.
The standards are designed to improve the quality of apprenticeships and provide the skills employers require specific to their sector. Each standard is focused on the occupation and will set out the core skills, knowledge and behaviours required to perform their role and succeed in the industry. The apprentice is independently assessed at the end of their training.
Where does the delivery of an Apprenticeship take place and how do we support this?
Apprenticeship guidelines stipulate that apprentices must spend at least 6 hours a week ‘off-the-job’. Off-the-job training is defined as learning which is undertaken outside of the normal day-today working environment and leads towards the achievement of an apprenticeship. As part of their working hours apprentices need to be released one day a week from work to attend College-based training or as negotiated between the employer and Preston College.
Do I have to pay for Apprenticeship training?
Information about the apprenticeship Levy and the subsequent costs associated with an apprenticeship can be found here.
Do I have to pay my Apprentices when they are released for training?
Yes. The laws state that they have a right to paid time off for training. It is also in your interest to give employees on apprenticeship programmes, reasonable paid time off for any training that benefits your business.
Do I have to employ an Apprentice?
Yes. All apprentices must be employed, working a minimum of 30 hours a week before we can offer them a training programme. The employer, learner and college will be required to sign an Apprenticeship Training Contract that legally must be in place before the training begins and payment of the apprenticeship wage can commence.
How much should I pay an Apprentice?
The apprenticeship minimum wage is £4.81 per hour. This rate applies to all apprentices in their first year of training regardless of their age. Thereafter, they will be paid the National Minimum Wage for their age group.
Can anyone over the age of 16 undertake an Apprenticeship?
Yes, as long as they are not currently in full time education. New guidelines state that individuals with a Degree or higher level qualification can now undertake an Apprenticeship as long as the Standard is significantly different to their qualification achieved. All individuals wishing to undertake an apprenticeship must be assessed in English and Maths.
How is the Apprentice assessed in the workplace?
All we ask is for employers to give as much support as possible in this process. Once the programme starts, work-based assessments involve assessors observing and providing guidance to your staff while they are doing their normal job. Progress reviews will be completed every 12 weeks between the assessor, employee and a supervisor/mentor from the organisation.
How can I keep track of my employees training?
Preston College uses OneFile to deliver apprenticeships, which allows candidates and employers easy access to submit work and monitor progress. OneFile is a piece of software which allows electronic monitoring of the training. You can access it anywhere via the internet and see live reports, work submitted (e-portfolio) and track the progress of your employee.
Can I put my current staff onto an Apprenticeship?
Yes, thousands of full-time staff across Lancashire currently study on an apprenticeship programme to help upskill in their chosen field. An apprenticeship can help companies train staff in managerial positions or simply to give them added skills, knowledge and confidence in the workplace.
What does Preston College contribute?
We will provide a dedicated Apprenticeship Specialist to offer support and guidance. Each representative works closely with employers to:
• Help them decide which apprenticeship is right for them
• Explain how an apprenticeship might work for them and if funding is available
• Agree a training plan with the apprentice
• Help recruit an apprentice or support existing staff into apprenticeships
• Manage the training and evaluation to nationally recognised quality standards