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Apprenticeship Week 2013
Celebrating the value of Apprenticeships!
2013 Apprenticeship Week, will take place in March 2013. Keep watching for updates of events to be held during this time.
What exactly is an Apprenticeship?
An apprenticeship is a work-based training programme designed around the needs of you the employer, which leads to nationally recognised qualifications. Apprenticeships have been developed across a wide range of industry sectors and are available with different types of employers - from large national companies to smaller local companies.
Apprenticeships can take between one and four years to complete depending on the level of Apprenticeship, the apprentices’ ability and the industry sector.
Even in these uncertain and difficult economic times, apprenticeships can make your organisation more effective, productive and more competitive by addressing your skills gaps directly.
Benefits of Recruiting an Apprentice:
Adds value to a business
Productive and competitive business – giving you the edge
Plugs the skills gap in your organisation
Recruitment process that’s cost effective
Enables a company to try before they buy
New talent and young blood
Training that is all or part funded and is industry specific
Introduces new talent
Cost effective employment solution to staffing
Easier than you think!
Your Responsibilities as an Employer:
1. Provide a safe and healthy working environment
2. Offer an apprentice a minimum of 16 hours per week to complete their apprenticeship. Generally, most
apprentices are employed full time.
3. Allow up to 1 day a week release for off the job training with a training provider
4. Offer on the job support
5. Encourage the apprentice to grow and develop their skills
6. Pay the employee for the duration of the apprenticeship
7. Give at least 20 days paid holyday per year, as well as bank holidays
8. Give your apprentice an induction into their role.
What are the Costs?
Like all employees, apprentices must receive a wage, ranging from £2.50 per hour to £5.93 per hour depending upon age. Therefore the minimum wage for a full time apprentice is £95 per week. NAS research shows many employers prefer to pay more, with the average salary being £170 per week.
Key statistics from the Institute for Employment Research ‘Net benefit to Employer Investment in Apprenticeship Training’ (November 2008) shows on average an apprentice pays back your investment after just 2.5 years.
Training Costs
If the apprentice is aged 16-18 years old, you the employer will receive 100% of funding contribution for the costs of the training. If they are 19-24 years old, you the employer will receive up to 50% funding contribution and if they are over 25 years old you may only receive a contribution depending upon the sector in which you operate. This government funding is paid directly to the organisation that provides the training and support to the apprentice.
If you would like to speak to us to see how your organisation could benefit from an apprentice, please ring and ask to speak to one of our Employer Engagement Officers, on 0151 523 0808.
