AN EMPLOYER S GUIDE TO APPRENTICESHIPS

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1 AN EMPLOYER S GUIDE TO APPRENTICESHIPS

2 ABOUT APPRENTICESHIPS What is an Apprenticeship? An apprenticeship is a way for young people and adult learners to earn while they learn in a real job, gaining a real qualification and a real future. Hiring apprentices helps businesses to grow their own talent by developing a motivated, skilled and qualified workforce. There is no commitment from the employer to continue this employment when the apprenticeship is completed. However, by the end of their training, the apprentice is such a valuable and skilled member of staff that in our experience the employer probably won t want to lose them. Why would I take on an apprentice? Employers say over and again that an apprentice brings energy, commitment and a fresh approach which is a real benefit to their business. In return the apprentice gains from the experience you give them. Working alongside you and others in your business, they will learn about the standards you demand in the workplace, the equipment and systems you use and they will develop the skills that you require. Fact: Eight out of ten apprentices believe that theirapprenticeship has improved their ability to do their job, provided them with sectorrelevant skills and knowledge, and improved their career prospects. Source: Evaluation of Apprenticeships - Learners BIS research paper May 2012 How long does an apprenticeship take? The duration of the Apprenticeship will depend on the ability of the individual apprentice, the framework being followed and your business needs. The minimum duration of the Apprenticeship for apprentices aged is 12 months. For those apprentices aged 19 or over the Apprenticeship should also last at least 12 months, unless relevant prior learning can be evidenced. Where this is the case the Apprenticeship will not be less than 6 months. These are designed to be minimum durations and Apprenticeships will often take considerably longer and should be based on the framework s recommended duration. Apprenticeships can last between 3 4 years especially if they are at a higher level or in certain sectors such as engineering. At Prospects College an apprentice will generally complete a Level 2 or Level 3 apprenticeship within 18 months to 2 years. This does vary because each apprentice s training programme is personalised to ensure it is as effective and successful as possible. During their apprenticeship, the apprentice will be employed for at least 30 hours per week, and that is where you come in as an employer. The number of hours per week may sometimes be less than this, but in that case the length of the apprenticeship must be extended.

3 How much do I pay an apprentice? An apprentice must receive at least the appropriate minimum wage. Currently the rates of pay are: For apprentices who either under 19 or are in their first year of their apprenticeship. For apprentices who are 19 or over and past their first year. Minimum 3.40 per hour as of 1 October Minimum contract of employment must reach 30 hours per week per hour for year-olds 6.95 per hour for those aged 21 or over Government funding is available to support the training costs of the apprenticeship (see page 5) but you will be expected to pay the wages of the apprentice. Employers overwhelmingly report that this cost is outweighed by the contribution that apprentices make to their business. What is my role as the employer? Apprentices are employed by you just like your other employees and they will have similar rights and responsibilities as your other employees. Apprentices must be employed (not selfemployed) and are entitled to the same holiday entitlement and other benefits as other employees within the organisation. Your apprentice will need to be given paid time for off the job training in college and you will need to give your apprentice opportunities to gain experience and to practice and develop their skills in the workplace. An assessor from PROCAT will visit your apprentice regularly and would like to meet with their supervisor or manager at the same time to discuss their progress. During these visits the assessor will conduct on the job assessments in the workplace for their NVQ (see below). Government Grant There may be a government grant available to help towards the apprenticeship. Please call us to discuss this further. The aim is for the apprentice to have the technical skills needed in their chosen industry as well as the discipline and personal qualities that will make them successful as employees in the workplace.

4 What does the apprentice s training consist of? Apprenticeships may be taken at Level 2, Level 3 and Level 4: Level 2 Level 3 Level 4 Intermediate apprenticeships equivalent to 5 good GCSE passes Advanced apprenticeships equivalent to A Levels Higher apprenticeships to degree Apprenticeships include a number of elements that together make up the whole training package. An Apprenticeship is a way for young people and adult learners to earn while they learn in a real job, gaining a real qualification and a real future. Hiring apprentices helps businesses to grow their own talent by developing a motivated, skilled and qualified workforce. The key parts of the apprenticeship training programme are: National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) Technical Certificate Functional Skills These qualifications assess the development of practical skills and they are assessed on the job in the workplace. This element develops theoretical and applied knowledgeand it will lead to a nationally recognised qualification from an awarding body such as a BTEC. This is a college-based component and it is taught and assessed by PROCAT. These are also college-based and are taught and assessed by PROCAT to develop good maths and English skills.

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7 When would my apprentice attend college? Apprentices attend Prospects College of Advanced Technology in different ways depending on the sector they are working in, the level of qualification they are working towards and what stage of the programme they have reached. It will also depend on the needs of the employer. In Engineering, for example, some employers tell us that they want the apprentices to spend their first year in college learning practical hand skills and this is followed by a mix of d ay-release and block-release for the remainder of their programme. In construction and building services attendance is generally day-release or block-release. Who funds the training? Government funding is available to support the costs of training. These are shown in the table below: Apprentice Proportion of funding available for training 16 to 18 year olds 100% of course fees 19 to 24 year olds Up to 50% of course fees 25 or over Up to 40% of course fees depending on the sector A PROCAT Training Advisor will be glad to discuss all of this with you. Health and Safety The Health and Safety of the Apprentice in the workplace is the responsibility of the Employer. PROCAT assumes this responsibility when the apprentice is at College. The college will undertake an inspection of the workplace to ensure that it is suitable for an Apprentice placement. Personal Protective Equipment must be provided for the Apprentice in the Workplace. Where necessary, Prospects College of Advanced Technology will provide this when the Apprentice is attending College. The apprentice must be covered under the Employer s Liability Insurance policy: the college will require a copy of the Insurance certificate prior to the commencement of the Apprenticeship and at each renewal of the policy.

8 PROCAT AND APPRENTICESHIPS How does PROCAT help? We can take care of everything from advertising your vacancy and recruiting your apprentice to devising the training programme and working with you around the on the job component of the course. We can advise on funding and we will help with the administration to make the whole process manageable and stress free. Throughout the programme PROCAT will keep you fully informed of your apprentice s progress. We will work with you at every stage. We can take care of everything Prospects College of Advanced Technology provides a fully managed apprenticeship service to employers. Why choose PROCAT? PROCAT has been managing and delivering apprenticeship training since the 1960s. It is the second largest Group Training Association (GTA) in the country. A GTA is an employer-led organisation that provides a fully managed apprenticeship service to employers. PROCAT is proud that its apprentices have success rates well above national averages in every area that it provides. In fact the success rates achieved in 2013 were exceptional. PROCAT apprentices have success rates well above national averages success rates in 2013 were exceptional.

9 What apprenticeships does PROCAT offer? Apprenticeship Level 2 Level 3 Electrical Installation Plumbing Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Engineering Aerospace Engineering Carpentry and Joinery Bricklaying Construction Maintenance Operations If I want to think about employing an apprentice, who should I speak to? First of all, call or enquiries@procat.ac.uk and speak to us about your requirements. At Prospects College of Advanced Technology we treat our apprentices employers as business partners working closely with them every step of the way. This relationship begins at the recruitment stage. We manage all elements of the recruitment process and carry out all necessary administration leaving you free to concentrate on running your business. If you want to learn more about an apprentice scheme, or have any further questions please call to arrange an appointment with one of our advisors today. and at each renewal of the policy.

10 WHAT EMPLOYERS SAY ABOUT PROCAT APPRENTICESHIPS Gardner Aerospace Working closely with PROCAT has ensured that we select and train our apprentices to a very high level of engineering expertise. We work with them to ensure the apprentices gain the right skill set for our business. We value the support received from PROCAT and its staff, with them our current and previous apprentices have gained valuable qualifications. Leonardo Leonardo recognises that a skilled and well trained workforce is the backbone of any business and have worked closely with PROCAT over the years to provide the quality and range of training that is best suited to our employees. Prospects College of Advanced Technology provide a quality learning experience that is both supportive and flexible in its approach. They are playing an increasingly important role in enabling apprentices to achieve their true development potential. Wates Construction Wates runs a Building Futures Programme to help long term unemployed people to overcome barriers and take on training courses which will secure them sustained employment in worthwhile careers. We approached PROCAT to partner with them to deliver the Programme. Our initial meetings at their modern training facilities and trade workshops gave us the confidence that between us we could deliver a first class programme. The experience of working with PROCAT is one that we hope to take forward with involvement in their open days and careers events, where we can showcase the range of opportunities that exist within construction and the value to students of taking courses at the College, as the foundation to their careers.

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12 CONTACT INFORMATION PROCAT BUILDING SERVICES - BASILDON Address: Luckyn Lane Entrance, Basildon, Essex, SS14 3AY Telephone: Fax: enquiries@procat.ac.uk PROCAT CANVEY ISLAND CAMPUS Address: Meppel Avenue, Canvey Island, Essex, SS8 9RZ Telephone: enquiries@procat.ac.uk