1 2 3 4 5 APPRENTICESHIP MYTHS BUSTED FREE Top 5 myths about the apprenticeship programme Apprenticeships are available from Level 2 (GCSE equivalent) through to Levels 6 and 7 (equivalent to a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree). Many also offer additional professional qualifications and registration, such as ACCA, CIMA, CMI 2 “Apprenticeships are only at entry level – for low skilled people” FACT Apprenticeships can be used to upskill or retrain existing employees of any age. Many employers are using this opportunity to train existing staff into hard to fill vacancies saving money and increasing retention. 3 “Apprenticeships cannot be used for existing staff” The apprenticeship levy funds all apprentice training in England – those working for employers who pay the levy, and those working for employers who do not. Unspent levy funds get re-allocated to other apprentices within financial years. 4 “If you don’t spend all your levy, it is spent by central Government on other things” Off-the-job training does not have to mean a day a week in college. It can be delivered in a way and place that suits the employer, the style and timing of the learning is varied – it could be in blocks of time or online learning to fit in with shift patterns. 5 “20% off-the-job training is inflexible -it involves 1 day off a week at college” Apprenticeships are available to anyone over the age of 16 living in England. There are a variety of qualifications from industry sectors ranging from hospitality to facilities management, finance, project management, life sciences & legal services. 1 “Apprenticeships are only for young people aged 16-18” businessunit@westminster.gov.uk 020 7641 2070 Westminster City Council, in partnership with the Northbank BID is pleased to provide Westminster based employers with free and impartial apprenticeship advice and guidance. If you would like to explore this service further please contact the Westminster Business Unit: FREE