1. Apprenticeships and Traineeships 28/04/2014

2. National Apprenticeship Service What we do
Responsible for Apprenticeships in England
Provides a dedicated service to employers offering free, impartial advice and support
Responsive and customer focussed web and telephone service for small and medium sized employers (under 250 employees)
For larger employers (250+ employees), our Employer Account Managers offer a dedicated, personalised support responding to meet employers needs
National Apprenticeship Service provides a dedicated service to employers, offering free, impartial advice and support to those looking to recruit apprentices for the first time or those looking to expand their Apprenticeship programme.
For small and medium sized employers (under 250 employees), our specialist small business support team provides a responsive and customer focussed web and telephone service which offers a high quality, tailored experience to each employer
For larger employers (250+), our Employer Account Managers who are expert Apprenticeship advisers, offer dedicated and personalised support, responding to meet employers needs around training and recruitment. We offer impartial advice on whole workforce development strategies which can include a direct grant arrangement. Our advisers support employers to procure, promote and deliver the training they need in the way that works best for their business.
National Apprenticeship Service

3. Apprenticeships – The facts
Open to all ages although government funding prioritised towards 16 to 18 year olds
Over 520,000 people started an Apprenticeship in 2011/12
125,000 were 16 to 18 year olds
85% of apprentices stay in employment after finishing their Apprenticeship
64% stay with the same employer
Over 100,000 employers employ apprentices in 200,000 locations
£1.5 billion government investment in
Return on investment of £18 per pound invested by government
National Apprenticeship Service

4. What is an Apprenticeship?
Apprenticeships are work-based training programmes designed around the needs of employers, which lead to nationally recognised qualifications. 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.
National Apprenticeship Service

5. What does an Apprenticeship consist of?
Apprenticeship are designed by organisations such as Sector Skills Councils, working with business representatives from industry sectors.
A typical Apprenticeship framework consists of:
A knowledge element
A competency element (sometimes an NVQ or diploma)
Functional skills (English, maths and sometimes ICT)
Personal learning and thinking skills
Employee rights and responsibilities
National Apprenticeship Service

6. The Benefits 88% - Increased employee satisfaction
Hiring apprentices helps businesses in all sectors to grow their own talent by developing a motivated, skilled and qualified workforce.
88% - Increased employee satisfaction
82% - Building skills capacity
81% - Greater productivity
81% - Attractive to customers
80% - Reduced staff turnover
75% - Lower recruitment costs
88% of employers believe they lead to a more motivated and satisfied workforce, leading to greater loyalty and quality of work.
82% of employers take on apprentices to build the skills capacity within their businesses
81% of employers say Apprenticeships make their business more productive. The average Apprenticeship completer increases business productivity by £214 per week.
81% of consumers favour companies that employ apprentices.
80% of employers feel that Apprenticeships reduce staff turnover.
75% of employers say Apprenticeships have helped cut recruitment costs and 80% say they will play a bigger part in their future recruitment policy.
Sources: 2011 British Chambers of Commerce research, Populus research commissioned by the National Apprenticeship Service and Productivity Matters, Centre for Economics and Business Research, 2013.
National Apprenticeship Service

7. How are Apprenticeships delivered
Most employers choose to deliver their Apprenticeships with the support of a training organisation which could be a college or training provider.
Apprenticeship qualifications are flexible and can be shaped to reflect the skills and knowledge the business requires.
Training organisations will access any Apprenticeship funding on behalf of the employer to deliver the learning and support your apprentices need.
Some very large employers choose to hold their own Apprenticeship delivery contract and are able to access Government funding directly.
For further support about training organisations refer to the website apprenticeships.org.uk
National Apprenticeship Service

8. Types and levels of Apprenticeships
Apprenticeships available at three levels, covering more than 170 industries and 1500 job roles, from advertising to youth work via environmental engineering and nuclear decommissioning.
Higher Apprenticeship (Level 4, 5, 6 & 7)
Advanced Level Apprenticeship (Level 3)
An Intermediate Apprenticeship is broadly equivalent to 5 A* to C GCSEs
An Advanced Level Apprenticeship is broadly equivalent to two good A Levels
A Higher Apprenticeship is degree level,
Apprenticeships are available to businesses of all sizes and sectors in England
Intermediate Level Apprenticeship (Level 2)
National Apprenticeship Service

9. What funding is available towards training costs?
The size of the contribution depends on the sector and the age of the apprentice at the start of the training:
16 – 18 – 100% fully funded*
19 – 24 – up to 50% funded
25+ - up to 40% funded
Large employers are also subject to a further 20% reduction in funding
*Unless undertaking a Higher Apprenticeship
The contribution is paid directly to the organisation that provides and supports the training, in most cases this will be a training organisation.
Employers are responsible for paying their apprentices wages.
An individual can access either an 24+ Advanced Learning Loan, a Personal Development Loan or use their savings to pay for the training. More information can be found on the different options available can be found at apprenticeships.org.uk.
NB - The training isn’t 100% funded if the apprentice is 16 – 18 and on a Higher Apprenticeship.
National Apprenticeship Service

10. What are the employer responsibilities?
An employer must:
Give the apprentice an induction into their role
Provide the on-the-job training and on going support
Pay the apprentice(s) wages which should be at least the Apprenticeship National Minimum Wage – Current NHS apprentices paid £115
Ensure their apprentice is employed for at least 30 hours per week
Issue a Contract of employment (an apprentice must receive the same rights as other employees)
Apprenticeship Agreement – all apprentices starting their Apprenticeship from 6 April must have an Apprenticeship Agreement
Most of the Apprenticeship training is on-the-job at the employers premises, working with a mentor to learn job specific skills in the workplace.
Apprentices under 19 and those over 19 and in their first year of the Apprenticeship must be paid the Apprenticeship National Minimum wage which is £2.65 per hour, however many businesses pay more and the average Apprenticeship wage is £200 per week.
Apprentices not falling under these categories should be paid the National Minimum Wage rate for their age band
The minimum hours of employment for an apprentice are 30 hours per week. By exception, where the individuals circumstances or the particular nature of employment in a given sector makes this impossible, then an absolute minimum of 16 hours must be met. In such cases the duration of the Apprenticeship should be extended.
An Apprenticeship Agreement must state that the apprentice will be undertaking an Apprenticeship in a particular skill, trade or occupation and can be used to reinforce the understanding of the requirements of the Apprenticeship
National Apprenticeship Service

11. How do I recruit an apprentice? Apprenticeship vacancies
The official job site for Apprenticeships, managed by the National Apprenticeship Service
Manages the recruitment process end to end through to successful appointment of your apprentice
Enables you to advertise your Apprenticeship vacancies
for no cost – Can use NHS Jobs but will complicate the process
Vacancies will be viewed and applied for nationally making
it easy for you to attract and recruit apprentices
Process can be managed by yourself or by training
organisations on your behalf
Facts
Over 1 million applications were made online in 2012 – an average of 10 applications for every Apprenticeship vacancy
Up to 17,000 quality Apprenticeship vacancies are available online at any one time on apprenticeships.org.uk
Over 30,000 new employers posted vacancies online in 2012
Over 500,000 candidates registered to use Apprenticeship vacancies during 2011/2012
Other benefits:
Vacancies can be promoted via social media channels including Facebook and Twitter
Option to direct candidates who see the vacancy on the website to apply directly to your own website.
Supported by a dedicated National Apprenticeship Service team across England
National Apprenticeship Service

12. How do I recruit an apprentice? 3 simple steps
The National Apprenticeship Service is here to support employers and has made it easier than ever to employ an apprentice.
Our dedicated employer teams are on hand to guide you through the simple three-step process to hiring an apprentice:
1. Decide on your requirements with an Apprenticeship Adviser and drive recruitment through our free Apprenticeship vacancies service.
2. Deliver the Apprenticeship, working with a training organisation to reduce the burden on your business.
3. Develop your apprentice and enter them into awards and competitions to put your business on the map.
There has never been a better time to employ an apprentice.
Visit apprenticeships.org.uk or call
National Apprenticeship Service

13. Traineeships – The Facts
Education and training programme focussed on giving young people the
skills and experience that employers are looking for.
Traineeships can last up to 6 months
Traineeships include work preparation training, English and maths support
if required and a work experience placement of between 6 weeks and 5
months.
All training costs are funded by the Skills Funding Agency
Employers are not required to pay young people participating in
Traineeships but are encouraged to support with expenses such as travel
and meals.

14. Traineeships – the benefits
You as an employer can design a high quality Traineeship within your
company in partnership with a training provider – one that suits both the
needs of your business and the needs of the trainee.
You can get ahead of the competition by bringing enthusiastic young
people with their fresh ideas into your business before they get on to the
job ladder.
Traineeships will allow you to shape the skills and experience of young
people from your local community, helping your business to develop a loyal
and talented workforce. - wider access to NHS jobs
Working with trainees will give established staff members the chance to
develop their skills in mentoring and coaching young people.

15. Traineeships – Work Placement
Your company will need to provide a high quality work experience
placement for the trainee, lasting anything from six weeks to a maximum of
five months
Work experience placements should be:
− Substantial and meaningful, providing a real workplace experience.
− A structured opportunity for the young person, matched to their areas of interest and aspiration, where they engage in purposeful work related learning activities rather than observation.
− Long enough to allow for the development and thorough embedding of new skills and behaviours.

16. Traineeships – How to get involved
Speak with the National Apprenticeship Service by visiting apprenticeships.org.uk, or calling The National Apprenticeship Service will be able to support you throughout the process and identify an approved local training provider.
Alternatively you can contact your local training provider to offer a Traineeship in partnership with them. Only providers rated ‘Outstanding’ or ‘Good’ by Ofsted are eligible to offer Traineeships.
A full list of eligible providers is available on the Skills Funding Agency website skillsfundingagency.bis.gov.uk/providers/programmes/.

17. More information Head of Apprenticeships - Michael Nicol apprenticeships.org.uk/employers/large-employer-toolkit
National Apprenticeship Service