How do they work?
Apprentices learn on-the-job alongside your other employees and develop further skills and knowledge off-the-job at a local learning provider. The off-the-job training is usually day release.
Apprentices are either employed by an employer or are on a work placement. If they are employed they receive a wage like any other employee – based on their age, experience, skills and ability. If the apprentice is on a work placement the Learning and Skills Council pays them a training allowance.
How do they decide what Apprenticeship to do?
A learning provider will help you and your apprentice decide which apprenticeship is best for your business. They will also deliver relevant training and help with the paperwork – agreeing a training plan with your apprentice, managing the assessments and ensuring professional standards are adhered to. They can also help you recruit an apprentice or put your existing staff onto apprenticeships.
Training agencies such as the Construction Industry Training Board will also assess potential apprentices first, to check they have the necessary skills and aptitudes for your business.
The Learning and Skills Council and / or training agency may provide you with financial assistance if you take on apprentices on a regular basis. You may get financial incentives for registering an apprentice, college attendance rates and when they achieve a qualification. You may also get help with travel fees, tuition fees and subsistence. Ask your training agency for more details.
What kind of Apprenticeships are there?
There are two levels of apprenticeship. They used to be called Foundation Modern Apprenticeship and Advanced Modern Apprenticeship but these have been replaced by Apprenticeships and Advanced Apprenticeships:
What about National Vocational Qualifications (NVQs)
An NVQ is all about providing evidence you can do a job. The evidence can be provided by being assessed carrying out a task or by showing knowledge through written assessment.
Each NVQ qualification is made up of a number of different units. The units divide a job into sections. For example, the Plastering NVQ contains a unit called 'Fix Sheet Materials'. This is an off-the-job unit, so the apprentice needs to be taught by the training provider and then must be able to display the knowledge. This will be on the training provider's site.
During an on-the-job plastering unit such as 'Fix and Repair Fibrous Components', apprentices are assessed carrying out a practical task, to see that they are competent in it. This will be on your work premises.
When the apprentice has been assessed competent in an agreed number of units, the full NVQ is awarded.
And Key Skills?
Key Skills are transferable skills that are essential in many different jobs. Key Skills include communication skills, application of number, information technology, working with others, improving own learning and performance, and problem solving.
Technical Certificates?
These deliver the underpinning knowledge relevant to the NVQ. These are taught off-the-job at the training provider.
Any other qualifications?
Apprenticeships in some occupations need additional qualifications specific to the job. Ask your training provider or training agency.
What do I have to do?
You must agree a training plan with the training provider and stick to it. You should allow your apprentice time off to undertake the off-the-job learning parts of their course. You should also make sure you provide your apprentice with a wide range of practical work experiences so they can be fully assessed in the workplace.
It would be good practice to train a member of staff to be a work-based recorder, so they can help staff to gather work-based evidence.
Can I take on an Apprentice?
Each training provider or training agency will have its own rules on whether your business is eligible. They may want to know you have had a health and safety check, have all the appropriate insurance, are members of an appropriate professional body and are able to offer the range of work experience necessary for an NVQ.
Please note that England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland operate difference apprenticeship schemes. See How will apprentices help my business? for links to useful websites.
How can apprentices help my business?
