Employing an Apprentice Guide
Employing an Apprentice Guide
Employing an Apprentice can be a high quality and cost-effective way to boost your business! An apprenticeship is a full-time job accompanied by part-time learning. Individuals receive a qualification while they are completing a job. It is a way for individuals to earn an income while they are gaining valuable skills and knowledge in a specific job role. The apprentices will do this through a mix of learning in the workplace, off the job training and practicing real skills in a working environment.
How do Apprenticeships Work?
Apprentices must spend at least 20% of their working hours doing off the job training, however many apprentices may need to spend more time than that. It is up to the employer in how this training is delivered this may include regular day release, block release and special training days or workshops. The training can be delivered at their place of work as long as it is not part of their working duties, it must be separate.
Off the job training is essential as it allow an apprentice to develop the specific skills for the workplace. Many apprentices will also be given a mentor to turn to when doing there training. They will be in charge of helping them get through their off the job training.
Who are Apprenticeships Targeted at?
Anyone over the age of 16 can apply to become an apprentice, if you no longer wish to in full time education an apprenticeship may be an option for you. Many individuals decide to finish their qualifications through this route. This is because they can gain similar or the same qualifications as in school, but while also earning an income.
Many employers may think of employing an apprentice that can bring a new skillset to their team and benefit their business. However, employers often hire apprentices with little experience as it allows them to train an individual to fit the skills, they need to fit their team.
What responsibility do employers hold?
An employer that is employing an apprentice must provide a contract that includes employment for as long as the apprenticeship lasts. They must also pay the apprentices wage and the role must help them gain knowledge and skill to finish the apprenticeship.
Employers employing an apprentice need to have:
- An apprenticeship agreement with the apprentice
- A committed statement signed by the apprentice, employer and training provider
- An apprenticeship in place for a minimum of a year
- The apprentice of the correct wage for their age and the time spends at work and in off the job training.
- A written agreement with providers, for employers who pay the apprenticeship levy and use the apprenticeship service.
The benefits of hiring an apprentice
Employing an apprentice is an effective way to increase productivity in the workplace. It allows for the business to grow talent and develop a motivated, skilled and qualified workforce.
- Its reported that 76% of workforces productivity increased with hiring apprentice
- 75% of employers say that apprenticeships improved the quality of their product or service.
- Increasing employee satisfaction
- Reduces staff turnover
- Reducing recruitment costs
The Apprenticeships Levy
If you’re an employer with a pay bill over £3 million a year, you must pay the apprenticeship levy. When paying the levy, it gives employers complete control of their training and will have an agreement in place for the total price for each apprenticeship, which includes the costs of training and assessment.
Non levy paying employers
Employers who pay a bill of less than £3 million a year will not need to pay the levy. This means that the government will pay the apprenticeship costs. The government will ask these employers to make a 10% cash contribution to the cost. This will be paid directly to the provider, and the government covers the rest.
What Additional Payments and Funding are Available
- There is a £1000 payment to both the employer and the provider when they train a 16 – 18-year-old through an apprenticeship
- Employers don’t have to pay National Insurance contributions for the apprentice under 25. This is if earnings are below the higher tax rate of £827 a week, which is £43,000 a year.
- There is a £1000 payment to both the employer and the provider when they train a 19 -24-year-old who has previously been in care or who has a local authority education, health and care plan.
What the Apprenticeship Service Entails
There is an apprenticeship service on the GOV.UK website where employers can plan and manage their apprenticeship programmes. This allows them to have greater control over their apprenticeship and account funding.
It is made up of the following sections:
- Estimate my apprenticeship funding
- It allows employers to calculate whether they will have to pay the apprenticeship levy or not. This will also tell them how much there will be available to their business to spend on apprenticeships
- Find apprenticeship training
- It gives employers information that is easily understood on the choices available to them. They can search for training providers and find one that fits their company the best.
- Recruit an apprentice
- It allows training providers to post vacancies and manage applications for apprenticeships and traineeships.
- Find an apprenticeship and Find a traineeship
- A recruitment site that allows employers to advertise their vacancies for free and find candidates who match their criteria.
- Manage apprenticeships
- It allows registered levy-paying employers to view their account balance and manage their funding.
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