Apprenticeships
What is an Apprenticeship?
An Apprenticeship is a job combined with a training and development programme, designed by business representatives and the Sector Skills Councils (SSCs).
It allows an apprentice to gain real work experience and technical knowledge whilst working towards nationally recognised qualifications.
Depending on the sector and job role, an Apprenticeship can take anything between one and four years to complete.
It is a package of on-the-job training and qualifications, available at three incremental levels:
- Intermediate Level Apprenticeships
- Advanced Level Apprenticeships
- Higher Apprenticeships
What are the Apprenticeship Qualifications?
An Apprenticeship consists of some key qualifications respective to each Level, which make up an Apprenticeship Framework:
- A practical qualification (known as NVQ’s/QCF’s);
- A knowledge-based qualification (known as technical certificate);
- English and Maths support (known as Functional Skills).
Additional qualifications embedded within the Apprenticeship are Employment Rights & Responsibilities (ERR) and Personal Thinking & Learning Skills. There are more than 250 different types of Apprenticeships available offering over 1,400 job roles.
Click here for further information on the job roles and industry sectors covered by Apprenticeships.
Key Benefits of Apprenticeships
In research undertaken by the National Apprenticeship Service (NAS), of those employers who employ apprentices:
- Over 80% agree that apprentices make their workplace more productive;
- 92% believe Apprenticeships lead to a more motivated and satisfied workforce;
- 83% rely on their Apprenticeships programme to provide the skilled workers that they need for the future.
- Whilst the National Minimum Wage for apprentices is £2.65 per hour (a key benefit for employers), many employers prefer to pay more.
How do Apprenticeships work in practice?
A major part of the Apprenticeship is the ‘on the job’ work experience for at least 30 hours per week, lasting no less than 12 months, for which an apprentice is paid at least £2.65/hour. In some cases employment can be for 16+ hours per week and the length of the apprenticeship can be increased to ensure the apprentice has gained the required level of skills and knowledge to do the job.
The qualifications are delivered by a local college or specialist training provider, who can deliver the relevant framework to the job role in various ways, including:
- On-site progress visits;
- Professional discussions;
- Portfolio building / evidence gathering;
- Project work, assignments, tests, etc.
For all Apprenticeships commencing on or after April 6 2012, there is a requirement for an Apprenticeship Agreement to be in place between the employer and the apprentice, without which an Apprenticeship certificate cannot be issued. Read more about the Apprenticeship Agreement.
Recruiting an Apprentice
Employers are able to use the National Apprenticeship Service’s (NAS) Apprenticeship Vacancy system, free of charge. This is normally facilitated through the training provider that has been selected to deliver the Apprenticeship. A well written job description will always help to attract the most suitable candidates for the role as well as a well-planned timescale for the overall recruitment process to take place.
Employers should:
- Develop a well-written job description for the Apprenticeship role;
- Research the Apprenticeship ‘framework’ that best fits the role, as well as training providers who can deliver the Apprenticeship at www.apprenticeships.org.uk;
- Check costs/employer contributions with training providers before proceeding;
- Allow 4-8 weeks for recruitment: advertising, shortlisting and interviewing.
- It is also advisable to promote the vacancy through other local media, word of mouth marketing and via social media in order to attract a suitable number of candidates.
An employer checklist is provided below in order to help the planning process for taking on apprentices.
If an employer feels that an Apprenticeship is not the appropriate solution for them at this point in time, then Traineeships might be an alternative option. Check our web pages on Traineeships and/or download our Traineeships factsheet here.
