future proof your business

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1 future proof your business an employer s guide to apprenticeships Employer Responsive Team

what s inside? about this guide If you are looking to train and develop a workforce to suit your organisation and future-proof your business then this guide can help you.

2 what s inside? about this guide If you are looking to train and develop a workforce to suit your organisation and future-proof your business then this guide can help you What s inside? About this guide What are Apprenticeships? Who are the apprentices? Where does the apprentice learn? What s in it for my business? Is it right for my business? What Apprenticeships are available? Support every step of the way Funding and costs Apprenticeships for existing staff Why choose Wiltshire College? How do I get started? FAQ and common myths If you are looking to train and develop a workforce to suit your organisation and future-proof your business then this guide can help you. It will give you an overview to Apprenticeships - what they are, how they could help you, what support and funding is available and whether it s right for your business. This guide can be used as a stepping stone for further information, a referral guide to those contemplating Apprenticeships or a reference for those already on the scheme. Throughout the guide there are contact details or web addresses to help you get further information or where to go to next. If you have a specific question, try the Frequently Asked Questions section on page 18, if your question s not answered then call the Employer Responsive Team on , they ll be happy to help. ( Advice? Apprenticeships can improve an organisation s productivity and profitability, and are an effective means of filling skills gaps in current and future workforces. There are many business benefits, from low training costs to increased staff retention. 2 3

what are apprenticeships? Apprenticeships are training programmes that are designed to support both the apprentice and the employer.

The Apprenticeship scheme has been designed alongside businesses for businesses and can be tailor-made to meet your individual requirements.

Numeracy. Apprenticeships generally last from one to four years. There are two levels of Apprenticeship with Wiltshire College; Apprenticeship and Advanced Apprenticeship.

3 what are apprenticeships? Apprenticeships are training programmes that are designed to support both the apprentice and the employer. They allow you to develop a highly skilled, motivated and bespoke workforce suited to your business needs. The Apprenticeship scheme has been designed alongside businesses for businesses and can be tailor-made to meet your individual requirements. Apprentices work towards a group of qualifications typically a National Vocational Qualification (NVQ), a technical qualification, such as BTEC, and, if required, qualifications in Literacy and Numeracy. Apprenticeships generally last from one to four years. There are two levels of Apprenticeship with Wiltshire College; Apprenticeship and Advanced Apprenticeship. You choose which level would best suit your business and you can have different apprentices at different levels within your organisation. More information about the different levels? Visit apprenticeships/default.asp Richard Webb was an eighteen year old apprentice who worked towards the Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Apprenticeship framework with Wiltshire College, Trowbridge. Originally he enrolled for the National Diploma in Motor Sports Engineering and although doing well and passing his first year he was offered the opportunity to gain employment with Steve Bull Specialist Motors in Devizes. Richard jumped at the opportunity. It was identified that an Apprenticeship in Vehicle Maintenance and Repair would be more appropriate to continue his education and take up this exciting employment opportunity. Steve Bull Specialist Motors is a small private limited company employing no more than 3 or 4 mechanics. The business is centred on servicing and repairing Porsches and other high spec vehicles and has established a high reputation for this locally. Steve Bull is very pleased with Richard s progress commenting, Richard is a very conscientious young man whose determination, positive attitude and enthusiasm continually drive him to succeed. At college Richard worked towards the VRQ Level 2 Certificate in Vehicle Maintenance and repair as a part-time student. He passed all 5 of the exams in his first year with merits and distinctions. Richard s tutor said Richard has a natural talent and enthusiasm for his chosen occupation which has enabled him to become successful at both work and college. Richard said, The Apprenticeship programme is the best thing that has ever happened to me and I thoroughly enjoy my time at College. I consider myself very lucky to work for such a supportive employer and be surrounded by such highly skilled mechanics. Getting paid for doing something I love is just a bonus. Richard was recently nominated for the national Apprenticeship awards due to his outstanding attitude and achievement and is already thinking about Higher Education upon completion of the Advanced Apprenticeship. 4 5

who are the apprentices? Apprenticeships are open to anyone aged 16 or over. They are motivated and enthusiastic and want to work in your industry.

4 who are the apprentices? Apprenticeships are open to anyone aged 16 or over. They are motivated and enthusiastic and want to work in your industry. They have applied to become an apprentice to build their own career and are looking for a chance to learn the tools of the trade in the best place possible in the workplace. Apprentices may have just left school or college, or even be staff already working for you. Some apprentices may have relevant qualifications prior to starting an Apprenticeship. On your behalf we complete an initial assessment and interview to enable us to match our apprentices with the right employer. where does the apprentice learn? Primarily the apprentice will learn at your workplace within your team, where they can develop the practical skills to meet the needs of your business. In most cases some training will be required at one of our college campuses, usually on an agreed day. more info? 6 7

to meet your specific business needs Add a controlled and cost effective way of recruiting motivated staff.

5 what s in it for my business? is it right for my business? Do you want ways to motivate your existing team? 8 By taking on an apprentice you get to unlock a number of benefits, each designed to future-proof your business: Customise your apprentice s training, ensuring that your apprentice is well equipped to meet your specific business needs Add a controlled and cost effective way of recruiting motivated staff. Offering training with a recognised qualification, which is almost always fully funded for you Setting standards: An apprentice learns directly from you and therefore will quickly adopt your business practices and standards Address skills shortages for specific jobs: Train the apprentice to fill the positions you need Brings a fresh approach and new enthusiasm into your organisation Prepares your business for economic growth and industry developments Ongoing support for you and your workforce throughout the length of the Apprenticeship Answer yes to any of these steps and you should consider an Apprenticeship scheme: Do you need a specialist team? yes Do you have a limited budget for salaries and training? Apprenticeships can ensure that you train someone to do the specific job you need doing. yes Do you require qualified staff? Funding is almost always available for Apprenticeship training. Would you like support with developing your team? yes Some government regulations may mean that you should have qualified staff, but finding them can prove difficult. yes Wiltshire College will work with you to customise the Apprenticeship and help you every step of the way. ( Advice? yes The scheme doesn t just motivate the apprentice. Showing you re committed to developing staff motivates and rejuvenates your whole team. Some may even become an apprentice. 9

what apprenticeships are available? Apprenticeships are available in a number of industries.

Our current range of Apprenticeships includes: Accounting Business Administration Contact Centre (Call Centre) Customer Service Agriculture Horticulture Gamekeeping Equine Animal Care Active Leisure

apprentices and two advanced apprentices. One of the Level 2 apprentices will be progressing onto his Advanced Apprenticeship very soon.

The Apprenticeship Training Co-ordinators ensure that the apprentices and us, as an employer, get the support we need throughout the programme.

6 what apprenticeships are available? Apprenticeships are available in a number of industries. If you are interested in the scheme but your industry isn t listed, please phone and we ll help and advise you. Our current range of Apprenticeships includes: Accounting Business Administration Contact Centre (Call Centre) Customer Service Agriculture Horticulture Gamekeeping Equine Animal Care Active Leisure and Learning Sporting Excellence Advanced Apprenticeship 10 DMJ Construction (Wessex) Ltd We currently have 4 apprentices with Wiltshire College studying Trowel Occupations (Brickwork) - two apprentices and two advanced apprentices. One of the Level 2 apprentices will be progressing onto his Advanced Apprenticeship very soon. We have always had an excellent working relationship with the staff at Wiltshire College. The Apprenticeship Training Co-ordinators ensure that the apprentices and us, as an employer, get the support we need throughout the programme. The Training Co-ordinators visit our apprentices both on site and during their time spent at college. We are kept informed of the progress of the learners in a positive and professional manner and given the opportunity to set targets and discuss the best options for our apprentices and the business. As a company we are extremely pleased with the Apprenticeship programme and the benefits that it has brought to our business. We would highly recommend this route to other employers, not only for the many benefits it brings, but the way in which Wiltshire College have supported us throughout. Andy Johnson Director Carpentry and Joinery Plumbing Furniture Making Trowel Occupations Glass and Glazing Engineering Electrical Agricultural Machinery Service Motor Vehicle Plant Machinery Service Manufacturing Childcare Health and Social Care Hairdressing Hospitality Professional Cookery Retail Operations Wiltshire College is always happy to consider new occupational areas to meet employers needs. more info? ( call

support every step of the way funding and costs Wiltshire College receives government funding towards the cost of an apprentice s training, so we can almost always cover the full cost of training

At Wiltshire College we work with you, the employer and the apprentice to make the partnership a success.

7 support every step of the way funding and costs Wiltshire College receives government funding towards the cost of an apprentice s training, so we can almost always cover the full cost of training your staff now, and in the long term, help reduce the cost of staffing through successful career planning. *Please call to discuss what is available for you. At Wiltshire College we work with you, the employer and the apprentice to make the partnership a success. We will: Ensure that the Apprenticeship scheme is right for your business Provide you with a key support contact from Wiltshire College Work with you to plan the learning programme to meet your business objectives and needs Assess suitability of candidates for the role Manage the off-site training to work alongside the on-the-job training Along with you, review and monitor the performance of the apprentice Support you throughout the Apprenticeship with any issues or questions that arise The Minimum Wage set by the Government for an apprentice is 95* per week, but many employers pay more than this in line with other employee s salaries. (* Subject to change) For further information regarding the support we can offer contact us on: ( Advice?

apprenticeships for existing staff Apprenticeships don t just apply to

you get support whilst developing a focused, skilled and motivated

8 apprenticeships for existing staff Apprenticeships don t just apply to new staff members, they are available to any of your existing staff that require career focused training. Your staff benefit from a structured platform in which to learn from and you get support whilst developing a focused, skilled and motivated workforce. See page 11 for the list of Apprenticeships available or call to discuss your options

why choose Wiltshire College? how do I get started? Dedicated support: We strongly believe that working closely together with businesses helps to create skilled and effective workforces.

9 why choose Wiltshire College? how do I get started? Dedicated support: We strongly believe that working closely together with businesses helps to create skilled and effective workforces. Our dedicated team currently works with over 2000 employers to support them with their training requirements, working together to ensure the skills development meets their business objectives. Location: Wiltshire College works throughout the county, ensuring that no matter where you are in Wiltshire we are close enough to support your business and its apprentices. The steps to setting up the Apprenticeship scheme are: Contact us to discuss your needs Identify your workforce requirements (we offer a free Training Needs Analysis service if required) Personal visit to your workplace by an experienced member of our team Wiltshire College identifies relevant qualifications to suit the roles within your organisation We can assess the suitability of existing staff for the scheme, or we will assist in the recruitment process Free Health and Safety assessment of your workplace to support the Safe Learner concept ( Sign a training agreement, committing support to the Apprenticeship scheme There are a number of ways to get started with an Apprenticeship scheme, but we will always help guide and support you through the process. For further information you can visit our website: or apprenticeships@wiltshire.ac.uk To discuss your requirements in more detail you can contact our dedicated team on more info? ( call

FAQs main sites How long does an Apprenticeship last? An Apprenticeship can last between 1-4 years depending on the industry and job role. What employment rights does an apprentice have?

10 FAQs main sites How long does an Apprenticeship last? An Apprenticeship can last between 1-4 years depending on the industry and job role. What employment rights does an apprentice have? An apprentice has the same employment rights as any other employee. Are there different types of Apprenticeships? There are a number of Apprenticeships available please see the list on page 11. How much do they get paid? Apprentices must be paid a minimum of 95 per week to start, although you can pay more. What type of people will I get on an Apprenticeship? Apprentices are motivated, enthusiastic and willing. They are committed, career minded people who want an opportunity to learn in a hands-on environment. What criteria do apprentices need to meet to get on the scheme? Apprentices need to have a real interest in their chosen industry and be prepared to commit to the training throughout the Apprenticeship. Prior qualifications are not essential as we will assess their aptitude and abilities to ensure they are right for the scheme. However, some industries do have entry criteria and/or tests. What is expected of me as an employer? We ask you to be committed to developing your team. We will ask you to sign an agreed training plan and ensure that your apprentice is given the required time and tools in which to meet that plan. An example plan can be provided on request. You will also be expected to ensure that you meet all employee rights and health and safety guidelines. Trowbridge Site Wiltshire College College Road Trowbridge Wiltshire BA14 0ES Salisbury Site Wiltshire College Southampton Road Salisbury Wiltshire SP1 2LW Chippenham Site Wiltshire College Cocklebury Road Chippenham Wiltshire SN15 3QD Lackham Site Wiltshire College Lacock Chippenham Wiltshire SN15 2NY 18 19

Employers Guide to Apprenticeships

Employers Guide to Apprenticeships Employers Guide to Apprenticeships Do you want to improve your current skills base in your company? Do you want motivated and dedicated staff? Yes Do you want to reduce