GUIDE TO EDA VOCATIONAL TRAINING

GUIDE TO EDA VOCATIONAL TRAINING An overview of the process Frequently Asked Questions Expression of Interest Form Qualifications available For further information on the EDA vocational training programme please contact either: Joanna Key Marketing & Training Manager - Electrical Distribution Association E-mail: joanna@eda.org.uk Tel: 01892 619990 www.eda.org.uk Michelle McCutcheon Apprenticeship Account Manager EDA Apprenticeships Plus E-mail: michelle@edarecruitment.co.uk Tel: 07990 002071 Louise Sugars Apprenticeship Account Manager EDA Apprenticeships Plus E-mail: louise@edarecruitment.co.uk Mobile: 07721 239906 1

VOCATIONAL TRAINING IN YOUR WORKPLACE FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS FOR PLACED APPRENTICES AND EMPLOYED STAFF OVERVIEW What is an Apprenticeship? An Apprenticeship framework consists of: a National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) at either level 2 or level 3, Functional Skills in literacy and numeracy, together with a Technical Certificate which provides underpinning knowledge. How does an Apprenticeship compare to other qualifications? A level 2 qualification is equivalent to 5 GCSE passes at grades A to C, A level 3 qualification is equivalent to 2 A levels What qualifications are available from the EDA? (see page 10) Distribution, Warehousing and Storage at either level 2 or level 3 Business Administration at either level 2 or level 3 Customer Service at either level 2 or level 3 Team Leading at level 2 Management at level 3 Sales and Telesales at level 2 IT at level 2 Trade Business Services at level 2 Other qualifications are available so please contact your EDA Apprentice Account Manager if you would like to recruit an Apprentice and select a qualification which is not listed above. How long will it take to complete an Apprenticeship? It will take an Apprentice approximately 12 months to complete an apprenticeship. What are the business benefits? Apprenticeships ensure that staff have the practical competence and qualifications your organisation needs both now and in the future. The mixture of both on and off job learning ensures that Apprentices learn the skills that work best for your business. Further business benefits are summarised below: Better-trained employees, with the right skills Apprenticeships provide employees with expertise that is specific to the industry and directly relevant to the business Improved productivity Because training is relevant they can have an immediate effect and make a meaningful contribution to business. According to the British Chambers of Commerce, most employers say that the main reason for taking on an apprentice 2

is to improve their skills base. 72% of apprentice employers say that Apprentices bring greater productivity to their business Motivated and loyal workers Apprentices feel valued, which makes them motivated. Potential managers / Leaders of the future Improved retention especially in high turnover sectors Apprentices are five times more likely to stay with a company than their peers who have not undergone Apprenticeship training Addressing Skills Shortages Apprenticeships can help employees master the latest techniques to fill skills gaps and insure against those likely to arise. How can the EDA help me with vocational training? We can help recruit a placed Apprentice for you, or arrange an Apprenticeship Qualification for existing members of your employed staff. Please see the relevant section for further information. Apprentice Account Managers Michelle McCutcheon michelle@edarecruitment.co.uk Mobile : 07990 002071 Louise Sugars louise@edarecruitment.co.uk Mobile: 07721 239906 EDA Apprenticeships Plus Operational Team Human Resources Patricia Henry tricia@edarecruitment.co.uk Mobile : 07990 002072 Payroll Services Gill Taylor Payroll Administrator gill@accountingbydesign.co.uk Hannah Daley Payroll Account Manager hannah@accountingbydesign.co.uk Telephone: - 01285 885661 Facimile: - 01285 885761 3

PLACED APPRENTICES What is a placed apprentice? A placed Apprentice is a person looking for experience in a chosen career. This could be an individual of any age who wishes to learn, work and achieve a qualification. The criteria for an apprentice are as follows: Work a minimum of 30 hours and a maximum of 40 hours per week Have lived in the EU for 3 years Not hold a degree or an equivalent Over a 12 month period, placed Apprentices will gain knowledge and learn how your business works. You must allow your apprentice adequate time (approx 4 hours per week) to complete their qualification within the work place. EDA Apprenticeships Plus recruits and employs the Apprentice on your behalf, so you don t have to commit to offering employment. Once they have completed their qualification, then you will have the opportunity of offering them a full time permanent position with your company. A designated Apprentice Account Manager will work with you and various recruitment services to advertise the position, shortlist, pre-interview potential applicants and help you find the right candidate that will fulfil your requirements. You will be able to interview applicants and select the person you feel is most suitable. The time taken to recruit a placed Apprentice will depend on the availability of candidates in your area of the country (normally 4-6 weeks). 4

THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS EDA Apprenticeships Plus Apprentice Recruitment Process Branch Manager decides to recruit an Apprentice Confirms role, funding and timeframe for recruitment and appointment Branch Manager contacts Joanna Key at EDA Tunbridge Wells and request an Expression of Interest Form (EOI) joanna@eda.org.uk or telephone 01892619990 Branch Manager completes EOI Form and returns to Joanne Key to allocate Learner Number. EOI is then forwarded to EDA Apprentice Account Manager to proceed with recruitment process. Within 2 working days of the closing date, Apprentice Account Manager will review all applications and begin shortlisting process based on previously agreed selection criteria. If agreed Apprentice Account Manager will undertake telephone interviews with all suitable candidates. Once criteria are agreed the vacancy is posted and the closing date that was agreed with Branch Manager - usually two weeks from posting advertisement - is fixed. Apprentice Account Manager contacts Branch Manager within 2 working days of receipt of EOI to discuss their individual criteria for the vacancy, confirm timeframe for recruiment including interview date and proposed start date and clarify if Branch Manager would like Apprentice Account Manager to begin shortlisting process including telephone interviewing and shortlisting notes Applications of all suitable candidates are sent to Branch Manager for review and shortlising for interview on the previoulsy agreed date. To ensure all candidates choosen for interview are available, Branch Manager to confirm Shortlist for Interview within 5 working days Interviews are arranged by Apprenticeship Account Manager on agreed interview date. Interview date will be no more than 5 working days from the selection of the interview shortlist Account Manager will confirm with Branch Manager the order of interviews one working day in advance of the interviews Once interviews are completed Branch Manager to advise Apprentice Account Manager within 3 working days of successful and unsuccessful candidates. Account Manager will contact all candidates within 1 day and advise of interview outcome. Account Manager will send Branch Manager confirmation form to detail start date, salary etc. Form to be returned to Apprentice Accoun Manager within 3 working days. HR Manager will send all required paperwork inc H&S checklist to new Apprentice and Branch Manager within 5 working days of confirmation. Account Manager will contact new Apprentice in first week of their employment to undertake HR Induction 5

How much does it cost? Although there is a National Minimum Rate for Apprentices, the EDA recommend salary for an apprentice is 150 per week for a 16-18 year old and 180 for a 19 year old plus. The final salary can be discussed on an individual basis with the Apprentice Account Manager and they will assist in ensuring you set the salary relevant to the role and responsibilities of your Apprentice. Please bear in mind that if your location falls within the M25, the above salary will be increased by a further 10%, to take London weighting into account. Once the apprentice is aged 19 and has completed the first year of their Apprenticeship, the employer must pay the National Minimum Wage appropriate for their age. EDA Apprenticeships Plus will act as the employer of the Apprentice throughout their Apprenticeship and it will charge you a monthly fee exactly equal to the Apprentice s salary cost plus 10% as a Management Fee. This fee covers all of the costs of recruitment process plus the on-going performance management of the Apprentice including quarterly reviews, allocation to and liaison with the Training Provider and individual assistance to Branch Manager throughout the whole term of the Apprenticeship. In addition EDA Apprenticeships Plus provide full employment support, payroll services and specialist HR advice all of which is included in the 10% Management Fee. You will be invoiced for your placed Apprentice on a monthly basis. Your first invoice will request two months worth of salary and management fee equating to a month in advance. This will be balanced at the end of the term of the Apprenticeship as you will not receive an invoice in the final month of your Apprentices employment. There is no cost involved with advertising your opportunity for a placed Apprentice, unless you decide to pursue other options which you agree with your Apprentice Account Manager. Also, the cost of the Apprenticeship qualification is either fully funded for 16-18 years or a 500 fee may be required for over 19 years. As Education systems are separate in each of the countries of the United Kingdom, please speak to your account manager for funding options and fees in Scotland and Wales. In summary services EDA Apprenticeships Plus provides to member include:- Scoping Organisational Need Advertising for Roles Recruitment Assessment of Candidates Selection Criteria Development Short-listing Individual Assessment Employee Selection Pre -Interviewing Programme Management Feedback and follow-up Branch SLAs Employment Contracts Contact with funding sources H&S Checks Progress Reporting Early Release Option Payroll Services One to one discussion/ support Performance Review HR Advice Liaison with Training Providers Activity and Finance Reporting Pastoral Care Arbitrate resolutions Candidate Replacement Counselling 6

What happens if I want to take the placed Apprentice on your payroll? If the branch decides to take on the apprentice/candidate after the recruitment stage, there will be a one off fee of 995. This is a recruitment agency fee that will be invoiced to the Branch. If you wish to take on take on an apprentice part way through their employment with EDA Apprenticeships Plus the following fee s will apply. Taken on within the first 3 months 800 Taken on within 3-6 months 600 Taken on within 6-9 month 400 Taken on within 9-11months 200 Taken on after 12 months NIL What happens after 12 months, once the placed Apprentice has completed their qualification? After the 12 months you will be able to offer a permanent position to a placed Apprentice. However, please bear in mind that they will then become eligible to the same employment rights as your existing permanent staff. Alternatively EDA Apprenticeships Pluscan employ them for a further 12 months if they and you wish to extend their apprenticeship and continue learning. Please speak to your account manager for further details. We would hope that you have found the experience both successful and rewarding, and that you will be able to offer the Apprentice a permanent position with your organisation. Will my placed apprentice be CRB checked? Currently Warehouse, Office/Administration or a Customer Service Apprentice would not be eligible for a Disclosure and Barring Check (previously known as CRB) however if the role of your Apprentice is eligible and you require a CRB check to be carried out on your chosen Apprentice, as the check is undertaken by a Government agency there will be an administrative cost to you of 75. As part of our recruitment process, EDA Apprenticeships Plus requests that all Apprentices complete a Criminal Declaration Form which requires them to declare any criminal convictions which are not `spent in terms of the Rehabilitation of offenders Act 1974. What happens if my selected Apprentice doesn t fit into my organisation? If you believe your selected Apprentice doesn t fit into your organisation your Apprentice Account Manager and the HR Manager will work with you to agree the most appropriate outcome for you and the Apprentice including an Early Release Option. If the issue of concern is misconduct, ordinary employment procedures will be invoked. If no progress is made within an agreed period the contract will be terminated with one weeks notice. For cases of gross misconduct immediate dismissal is the usual outcome. 7

If the issue of concern relates to the capacity of the Branch to support the Apprentice to achieve their Apprenticeship e.g. the job role does not relate closely enough to the needs of the training programme, EDA Apprenticeships Plus will remove the Apprentice and place them with an alternative Employer. Early Release can be immediate or within a timeframe suggested by the Branch Manager. EMPLOYED STAFF What is an employed Apprentice? An employed Apprentice is a current employee, who is provided with on the job learning. Any existing member of staff can undertake a qualification framework that is specific to their job role, but they must: Have a permanent contract and have completed their probationary period Work a minimum of 30 hours per week. Please speak to your account manager to discuss individual circumstances Not hold a degree or an equivalent qualification Have lived in the EU for at least 3 years An Apprenticeship is designed to fit in with gaps in businesses skills and productivity at your company. All assessment is carried out at a time to suit you within the company, and your Apprentice can expect to see their Assessor approximately every four to six weeks. How much does it cost? 16 to 18 year old fully funded by the Government for Level 2 19+ year old 500 for Level 2 Please speak to your Apprentice Account Manager for funding for Level 3 qualifications and funding in Scotland and Wales. REGISTERING YOUR INTEREST How do I register my interest in either a placed or employed Apprentice? Please complete an Expression of Interest form, and forward it to Joanna Key at the EDA - email: Joanna@eda.org.uk, telephone: 01892 619990 or fax: 01892 619991. Joanna will register the information on the EDA database and forward the form on to the EDA Apprenticeships Plus Apprentice Account Manager, who will then contact you within two working days to discuss your specific requirements. 8

FURTHER QUESTIONS What happens if I have any further questions regarding Apprenticeships? Please get in touch with Joanna Key at EDA - Joanna@eda.org.uk Telephone: 01892 619990 or contact one of the EDA Apprenticeships Plus Apprentice Account Managers Michelle McCutcheon or Louise Sugars on Michelle@edarecruitment.co.uk - Mobile : 07990 002071 or louise@edarecruitment.co.uk - Mobile: 07721 239906 Please look at the website www.eda.org.uk for more information or if you would prefer please write to Joanna at the following address:- Joanna Key Electrical Distribution Association Union House Eridge Road Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN4 8HF 9

VOCATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS There are several apprenticeship qualifications available to staff of EDA members and affiliates including; Business Administration (Level 2 or Level 3) Effective administration forms an essential part of the smooth running of any business. The ability to deal efficiently with the administration created by the day to day operating of a business is crucial to success. The units of a Business Administration qualification cover broad skills including reducing risks to health and safety and working effectively plus role specific skills such as managing diaries, using spreadsheet software and preparing text from notes. Customer Service Level 2 or Level 3) The ability to provide excellent customer service is a great selling point for any business and is increasingly expected by customers. This qualification helps learners to become more competent in their job role and therefore more confident in the service they offer. The units of a Customer Service qualification include: projecting a positive impression, delivering good customer service and resolving problems, dealing with customers on line, by telephone, or face to face, and gathering and interpreting customer feedback. Distribution, Warehousing & Storage (Level 2 or Level 3) Efficient distribution, warehousing and storage operations form a vital part of many businesses and completing a qualification will enhance a learner s skills, making them more effective in their job role and better equipped for future career challenges. The units of a Warehousing and Storage qualification cover broad skills including: keeping the workplace secure and contributing to maintaining a safe workforce, as well as more role specific skills such as despatching, lifting, transferring and positioning materials, and operating specialist machinery. Team Leading (Level 2) The success of a business rests with the individuals that it employs, and how well these individuals are organised and led. Becoming a successful team leader can be difficult, but this qualification will help learners to develop their leadership skills and abilities in directing and co ordinating people. The units of a Team Leading qualification cover broad skills including: developing productive working relationships and providing leadership to their team, as well as more role specific skills such as encouraging innovation, allocating and checking work, and providing leadership opportunities. Management (Level 3) Ultimately, the success of a business depends on its workforce. A strong manager needs to be able to get the best out of their staff, helping them to perform efficiently and effectively in their job roles. This qualification helps learners develop the leadership skills needed to excel in management. The units of a Management qualification cover broad skills: including managing resources and providing leadership in your area of responsibility, as well as more role specific skills such as planning and implementing change. Sales & Telesales (Level 2) Sales and telesales functions pay a crucial role in bringing in new business and can be a company s only way of securing income. This qualification will ensure that your business has a passionate and capable sales person who will drive your business ahead of your rivals and secure its future in the industry. Sales and Telesales apprentices are often highly valued for their sound industry-sector knowledge and practical skills, whether they are selling face-to-face or on the phone and this course includes extensive instruction that will develop transferrable skills and techniques for sales. Information Technology (Level 2) Every business needs skilled people in ICT whatever your sector or size; employing professionals who know computers and networks and have the ability to improve the way you do things can pay long term dividends. This course offers up-to-date relevant information, such as networking fundamentals, windows operating systems, comp TIA A+ and IT, software, web and telecoms development and is designed to increase knowledge and skills to improve efficiency and productivity while reducing the potential for downtime. Trade Business Services (Level 2) NEW FROM AUTUMN/WINTER 2014 Trade business refers to business-to-business selling, normally in bulk. Typically, they are multi-channel and usually trade out of depots or warehouses. A significant proportion of trade will be conducted over the telephone and via the internet. This course reflects the consistent need to adapt to new business methods including technological changes in the industry that include; stock management and control, on line sales and after care, customer loyalty, design and promotion and business performance management. 10