APPRENTICESHIPS AN EMPLOYER S GUIDE TO

Transcription

1 AN EMPLOYER S GUIDE TO APPRENTICESHIPS Helping to make apprenticeships a key part of your recruitment and training strategy, driving the success and competitiveness of your business.

2 1 Proud to be working with CONTENTS OF THIS GUIDE PAGE Why choose New College 2 What are apprenticeships? 3 Benefits to your business 5 What does an apprenticeship involve? 7-9 The Apprenticeship Levy 11 Additional incentives for employers 12 FAQs 13 Next Steps 14

3 2 Why choose New College as your training provider? Our programmes have been developed to provide a structured progression route for developing talent within your organisation. Dedicated account management A thorough training needs analysis Help to advertise your vacancies We pre-screen and shortlist candidates based on your specifications We assist you in the completion of any paperwork and funding applications Complete support throughout the apprenticeship programme apprenticeships@newcollege.ac.uk

4 3 Accounting Business Administration Customer Service Sales Team Leading Management We offer apprenticeships in... Human Resources Paralegal Digital Marketing Data Analyst Software Development Infrastructure Technician Network Engineering Cyber Security Laboratory Technician Childcare Early Years Health and Social Care Supporting Teaching and Learning

5 4 What are apprenticeships? An apprenticeship is a genuine job with an accompanying assessment and skills development programme. It is a way for individuals to earn while they learn, gaining valuable skills and knowledge in a specific job role. The apprentice gains this through a mix of assessments in the workplace, formal off-the-job training and the opportunity to practise new skills in a real work environment. Apprenticeships provide you with a costeffective means of delivering industry training to both new and existing employees; with a proven track record of increasing employee retention, productivity and reducing the skills gap. SALARIES Every apprentice must be an employee on the first day of their apprenticeship and be paid a lawful wage for the time they are in work and in off-the-job training. The National Minimum Wage for apprentices is 3.70 with effect from 1st April 2018; this rate usually changes each year although many employers tend to pay more than this. This rate is for apprentices aged and those aged 19 or over who are in their first year. All other apprentices are entitled to the National Minimum Wage for their age, after completing 12 months of apprenticeship training. DURATION Apprenticeships must last for at least a year. They can last up to 5 years depending on the level and the needs of the employer/ apprentice. LEVELS Apprenticeship programmes are designed to compliment different career pathways, providing training and qualifications from GCSE Ievel right up to degree level. DEGREE APPRENTICESHIPS Traineeship Level 2 Level 3 Level 4 Level 5 Level 6 Level 7 (GCSE LEVEL) (GCSE LEVEL) (A LEVEL) INTERMEDIATE APPRENTICESHIPS ADVANCED APPRENTICESHIPS HIGHER APPRENTICESHIPS

6 5 Benefits to your business COST EFFECTIVE RECRUITMENT OF NEW TALENT Bring in fresh new talent and help fill any skills gaps whilst shaping their learning around the working practices and needs of your organisation. UPSKILL EXISTING EMPLOYEES Apprenticeships are any learner aged 16+ and are offered at Level 2 through to degree-level. This makes them a great way to develop employees throughout your organisation. IMPROVED STAFF RETENTION Investing in the development of your own staff will result in a motivated and ambitious workforce, helping to improve retention of key skills and experience. INCREASED QUALITY AND PRODUCTIVITY Employers who have an established apprenticeship programme reported that productivity in their workplace had improved by 76% whilst 75% reported that apprenticeships improved the quality of their product or service.* YOU RE PAYING FOR APPRENTICESHIPS ANYWAY SO YOU MIGHT AS WELL BENEFIT FROM THEM! If your wage bill is in excess of 3 million then you ll be contributing to the Apprenticeship levy. The only way to reclaim this is through the hiring of apprentices so it s a case of use it or lose it. * Source: Education and Skills Funding Agency 2017

7 6 We wanted to open our doors to the next generation of hospitality employees. We would highly recommend working with New College. The caliber of student, professional attitude and drive to grow and learn has made our New College Apprentice a real pleasure to work with. CHARLOTTE GRACE CRICKLADE HOUSE HOTEL

8 7 What does an apprenticeship involve? Standards contain a list of the skills, knowledge and behaviours that demonstrate competence in a particular occupation. They are occupationfocused; not qualification-led. The apprentice is assessed at the end, to prove that they can carry out all aspects of their job. Qualification (Optional) As part of the move from frameworks to standards, a qualification is no longer a mandatory element of an apprenticeship programme. However, where we feel a suitable qualification aligns with the standard we have included it in the apprenticeship programme. We feel this gives added value to both the employer and learner, providing a sound structure for delivery and ensuring that apprentices achieve high-quality, transferable outcomes. Functional skills (Maths, English and ICT at Level 2) If an apprentice has not already achieved GCSE 9-4 (A*-C), they will be required to take these as part of the programme. Knowledge, skills and behaviours These are the knowledge, skills and behaviours that are required for an individual to be fully competent in the particular occupation. End-Point Assessment (EPA) Replaces the existing model of continuous assessment resulting in qualifications. The assessment organisation and the assessor must be independent of, and separate from, the training provider and employer. Off-the-job training All Apprentices have to have a minimum of 20% off-the-job training.

9 8 20% OFF -THE-JOB TRAINING All Apprentices have to have a minimum of 20% off-the-job training which needs to be completed within working hours. If training must, by exemption, take place in an evening, or outside of contracted hours, we would expect this to be recognised (for example, through time off in lieu). Below are some examples of what can be counted towards the 20%. ACTIVITY Classroom sessions / Lectures Workshops and masterclasses Simulation exercises Online learning Shadowing Coaching lndustry visits Writing assessments / assignments workbooks Numeracy and literacy training required to perform the job Preparing for professional discussion Gathering evidence for portfolio of evidence EXAMPLES OF VALID OFF-THE-JOB TRAINING Block or day release lnteractive workshops involving employers Business models and gaming Online training modules and support materials ln work or new departments / locations Support from Line Managers / colleagues Within sector or outside of the work roles Short exercises or long project reports English and Maths related to the job role ln support of portfolio work or job related Recording learning and training

10 9 Employer s role To help apprentices develop their knowledge and skills by providing a wide range of learning and training opportunities Train them in the health and safety of your workplace Explain your company policies and procedures Provide your apprentice with Terms and Conditions of Employment, contract and job description Provide apprentices with full information about the job which they will be doing Introduce apprentices to the people they will work with and their supervisor Provide the apprentice with a mentor Allow apprentices to attend off-the-job training sessions equating to 20% of their whole training programme Help apprentices put into practice what they have learnt Initiate a meeting with us if you have any concerns about any aspect of the delivery.

11 10 Doing an apprenticeship allows me to put all my knowledge into practise and showcase everything that I ve learned it s a great feeling! I would definitely recommend an apprenticeship to those looking for a starting point into a particular career path. THOMAS SHOPLAND SCOTT S & CO LTD

12 11 YES Total levy payment = 0.5% of your total payroll bill (less a 15,000 levy allowance). The government will apply a 10% top-up to your levy fund each month. You then receive the same amount back in the form of digital vouchers and pay 100% of the cost of the apprenticeship(s). NO You do not have to pay anything towards the Apprenticeship Levy. Instead, you will use the Co-Investment Scheme to pay for your apprenticeship. You will only have to pay 10% and the government will pay the other 90%. Register for an account on the Apprenticeship Service (AS) An online tool where levy paying employers can: Choose the apprenticeship framework/standard Choose the training provider(s) Choose an assessment organisation Post apprenticeship vacancies Track the funding you have spent and have available Set the price agreed with their chosen provider Pay for the apprenticeship training and assessment. You do not need to register for an Apprenticeship Service account. All arrangements are made directly with the training provider. Instead, choose your training provider(s) and work with them to: Choose the apprenticeship framework/standard Agree a price for the apprenticeship training and assessment. The Apprenticeship Levy Is your annual payroll bill in excess of 3m per annum? IMPORTANT: Funds can only be spent with registered training providers and only on the actual apprenticeship training. It cannot be used to pay for costs such as salaries, travel or additional internal training.

13 12 Employer Incentives You could be eligible for further funding and incentives depending on you and/ or your apprentice s circumstances. Our experienced account managers will work with you to make sure that you take advantage of any additional funding opportunities available. For example: 1,000 Incentive All employers will receive an incentive payment of 1,000 for employing a year old or a for a learner, aged 19-24, with an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHC). Under 50 employees In addition, if you have less than 50 employees and you employ an apprentice aged years old or with an EHC, then the apprenticeship is fully funded by the government.

14 13 FAQs How will the levy be collected? Monthly, through the employer s Pay As You Earn (PAYE) bill and is payable alongside income tax and national insurance. What if I don t want to employ apprentices, do I get my money back? Use it or lose it! - If you don t use the money in your digital account within 2 years, your money will become available for other companies to spend. Can I give any of my levy money to my supply chain? Yes, you can give 10% of your levy money to your supply chain to use on Apprenticeships. What if I use up my levy funding? If your funds aren t enough to cover the full cost of the apprenticeship training and assessment, then the government will provide support to meet the additional costs, using the same rate of co-investment as for employers who don t pay the levy (Employer pays 10%, government pays 90%). How much will an apprenticeship cost and can I afford them? Each apprenticeship has been placed into one of 15 funding bands ranging from 1,500 to 27,000. These bands determine the maximum amount that can be spent on each apprenticeship. Are there any age restrictions for an apprentice? Apprenticeships are available to anyone over the age of 16. Depending on the age of the apprentice, there may be different funding and incentives available. Can a graduate start an apprenticeship? Yes if the apprenticeship is in a different subject area to their degree. How often do apprentices attend college or training sessions? This varies from programme to programme. Some of the training can be in the work place and other sessions could be in college or with a learning provider. For most programmes this will be 1-2 days a week. How can I see what apprenticeship standards are approved for delivery? Visit

15 14 Next steps Get in touch for an informal chat with a member of our Apprenticeships team. Choose your training provider and end-point assessor and agree a price. Check what funding is available to you. Set-up an account on the Apprenticeship Service (If Levy paying). Choose the appropriate apprenticeship/level and decide if you want to upskill an existing employee or recruit someone new to the role. Advertise your apprenticeship (If recruiting someone new to the role). Employ your apprentice! Contact our Apprenticeships Team today! Call: apprenticeships@newcollege.ac.uk

16