ApprenticeshipsEmployers’ Guide

ContentsAbout this guide

Introduction

What are Apprenticeships?

How will an apprentice benefit my organisation?

How much does an apprentice cost?

Is there any financial support available?

How can I recruit an apprentice?

Can existing employees become an apprentice?

What will an Apprenticeship involve?

Why choose Stoke on Trent College?

Where can I find out more?

About this guideThis employers’ guide is designed to provide you withinformation about how an apprentice can benefit yourbusiness.

It also includes an overview of how Apprenticeships work,how they are funded and how you can employ anapprentice.

To find out more, contact the Business Services team or visit our website for more details:www.stokecollege.ac.uk/employeror call 01782 603603

Develop your skills, staff and business with usWelcome to Stoke on Trent CollegeWe are here to provide you with up-to-date trainingand expert support that is relevant to your business. Asthe region’s largest college of further and highereducation we have been working with businesses formany years to provide the training that employers want. Today, we continue to be at the forefront of vocationaltraining, with excellent new facilities and delivering tothe highest standards. Our tutors and assessors areindustry experts in their fields, working closely withemployers to ensure that training is relevant to theirbusiness.

Services for business:• Training

• Qualifications

• Apprentices

We also offer the following FREE services for business: • Apprentice recruitment service • Organisational and Training needs analysis • Help to access financial support • Health & Safety assessments • Ongoing dedicated support and specialist advice

With two campuses inStoke-on-Trent andmodern facilities, weare ideally placed to beable to deliver a widerange of apprenticetraining for NorthStaffordshire andbeyond. It’s evenpossible for the trainingto be carried out onyour own premises.

Apprentice training can bedelivered at three levels:Intermediate - Level 2Equivalent to five GCSEs at gradesA* - CAdvanced - Level 3Equivalent to two A-levelsHigher - Level 4 & 5Equivalent to a Foundation degreeApprentices often progress fromone level to the next, enhancingtheir skills and value to thebusiness as they do so.At Stoke on Trent College wecontinue to develop the range ofApprenticeships that we offer.Visitwww.stokecollege.ac.uk/employeror contact us for more details.

What are Apprenticeships?Apprenticeships are work-based training programmesYour employees gain nationally recognised qualifications that are relevantto their role in the workplace and your business gains a highly skilledemployee.

We offer a wide choice of Apprenticeships to suit all industries and sectors including:

Business, IT, Administration and ManagementBusiness Administration; Customer Service; IT Application Specialist;IT Telecoms; Management; Medical Administration; Social Media & Digital Marketing; Team Leading

Construction and Building ServicesBrickwork (Trowel Occupations); Carpentry (Site); ConstructionMaintenance Operations; Electrical Installation (Electrotechnical);Gas/Central Heating; Painting & Decorating; Plumbing & Heating; Wood Machining; Wood Occupations (Architectural or Site)

Engineering and Motor VehicleEngineering Manufacture: Engineering Maintenance; EngineeringManufacture: Engineering Technical Support; Engineering Manufacture:Fabrication and Welding; Engineering Manufacture: Installation andCommissioning; Engineering Manufacture: Mechanical Manufacturing;Improving Operational Performance: Business Improvement Techniques;Improving Operational Performance: Fabrication and Welding; ImprovingOperational Performance: Machining (Electronics); ImprovingOperational Performance: Machining; Improving OperationalPerformance: Maintenance; Motor Vehicle - Body and Paint Refinishing;Motor Vehicle Maintenance (Light or Heavy Vehicle)

Facilities Services

Health, Care, Early Years and ScientificAllied Health Profession Support; Childcare: Children and Young People'sSocial Care; Childcare: Early Years Educator; Cleaning & EnvironmentalSupport; Clinical Healthcare Support; Health and Social Care: AdultSocial Care; Laboratory Technician; Pharmacy Services

Logistics and WarehousingLogistics Operations; Warehousing and Storage

Service IndustriesBarbering; Beauty Therapy; Food & Beverage Service; Hairdressing;Hospitality Supervision and Leadership; Professional Cookery

SportActivity Leadership; Exercise and Fitness; School Sports Support;Sports Coaching

NEW APPRENTICESHIPSARE ADDED REGULARLY -PLEASE CONTACT US FOR

MORE INFORMATION

Correct at the time of print, variations may occur during the year.

How will an apprentice benefit my organisation?Having an apprentice in your organisation will: • Improve productivity • Fill skills gaps, including specialist skills specific to your industry • Make your business more competitive • Reduce training costs • Reduce recruitment costs • Assist with succession planning • Motivate staff and reduce staff turnover • Provide a significant return on investment

Facts*82% Building Skills 82% of employers take on apprentices to build the skills capacity within theirbusinesses.

75% Lower recruitment costs75% of apprentice employers say the programme has helped cut recruitmentcosts.

88% Increased employee satisfaction.88% of apprentice employers believe that lead to a more motivated and satisfiedworkforce, leading to a greater loyalty and quality.

80% Reduced staff turnover80% of employers feel that apprenticeships reduce staff turnover

81% greater productivity81% of apprentice employers say they make their businesses more productive.The average apprenticeship completer increases business productivity by £214 per week.

81% of consumers favour using a company which take on apprenticesOVER 200,000 workplaces in England offer Apprenticeships to attract new talent and re-skill existing staff

*National Apprenticeship Service research

How much does anapprentice cost?You can hire an apprentice from as little as £3.40 per hour (from October2016). The average salary for apprentices is approximately £170 per weekmaking apprentice recruitment the low cost, high gain option for growingyour business.

Is there any financialsupport available?The Government provides a substantial amount of funding towardsApprenticeships. The level of funding depends on the age of the apprentice.

£1500 Apprenticeship GrantYou may be eligible for a £1500 VAT-free AGE Grant if:• You employ fewer than 50 staff

• Your apprentice is aged 16-24

• You have not employed an apprentice in the last 12 months

The AGE Grant aims to support businesses who would nototherwise be in a position to recruit individuals aged 16-24through the apprenticeship programme.

As an employer you can receive up to 5 grants in total.

Please contact us to confirm availability and eligibility.

Apprentices aged 16-18yrsTraining is FREE

Apprentices aged 19-24yrsContribution to the cost of the training

Apprentices aged 25yrs and overContribution depends on the sector

Don’t just take our word for it….Here are some examples of employers who have benefited from taking onapprentices through Stoke on Trent College:

Company: Drayton BeaumontWho: Lee Rawle, Business Development ManagerHow do apprenticeships work for your business?"Apprenticeships work very well for us. It's about identifying the right people early on, fine tuning their skills,and then it is all the better for the business when we take them on as employees.

We work on some major projects, often with key local development companies, and now have a turnover ofabout £13 million a year.

Over the last few years we've seen a particular investment in the education sector, so a lot of our projects havebeen in schools. But we can work on anything from a hotel to an airport.

Steady growth is what we aim for, and apprenticeships are a part of those expansion plans."

Company: Higherland surgeryWho: Fiona Macnamara, Practice ManagerHow has an apprentice helped your business?Our first apprentice started her time with us by shadowing the existing staff and making appointments. Shelearned very quickly, becoming proficient in dealing with enquiries.

She now manages the reception area with total confidence and professionalism. She organises immunisationand minor surgery clinics and scans confidential medical reports on to patient notes.

They also operate blood test recalls, which includes printing of the blood forms, and has attended varioustraining courses in issues such as child protection, CPR, and IT.

She has become a valuable permanent member of staff working in a full-time position and I would like to seeher in a top managerial administrator role within the practice.

We’re now on the look out for another apprentice following the apprenticeship success.”

Company: Pets at HomeWho: Ryan Cheyne, People Director at Pets a HomeHow have apprenticeships fit into your business?“We have been running qualifications for our colleagues for some time, but recently have been able to offerapprenticeships in Business Improvement and Warehouse techniques.Providing this training increases the skills and knowledge of the individuals working for Pets at Home and helpsthem become more confident in their roles. They are able to put their newly found knowledge into action andgain additional skills for their future which we hope will be with Pets at Home.People like being invested in and we are now looking at how we can deliver this success across a wider area.”

How can I recruit an apprentice?If you are interested in Apprenticeships for your business:

Can my existingemployees becomeapprentices?Yes. Apprenticeships are a valuable and cost-effective way oftraining or re-skilling existing employees.

Many of the apprentices that are undergoing training with Stoke onTrent College currently are existing employees of local businesses,who are improving their skills through the programme.

Decide which department(s) would benefit from Apprentices– Apprentices can work in any area of your business fromaccounts and administration to warehousing and storage.

Call our Business Services hotline on 01782 603603 to let usknow what you need. We are open Monday to Thursday from9am to 5pm, Friday 9am to 4pm. Alternatively, email:business@stokecoll.ac.uk

We will assess your requirements and advise you of the bestway to progress.

We will provide you with an experienced adviser to guide youthrough the process and to help you find the best Apprenticefor your business or advise you on the best ways ofdeveloping your existing team. This may include us running arecruitment campaign on your behalf to find suitablecandidates, and assessing those who apply to shortlist themfor you.

Once you have selected the most appropriate person tobecome an Apprentice, you take them on in your business asan employee and one of our assessors will sign them up ontothe specific apprenticeship that has been agreed with you.

What will an Apprenticeship involve?

The apprentice will be employed by you for at least 30hours per week (in most circumstances) and be paid aminimum of £3.40 per hour.

Training will be on-the-job combined with training bythe College which could involve one day a week at thecollege, block release, or can be entirely in theworkplace.

The training will vary according to the type ofApprenticeship, but all include the followingcomponents:

An Apprenticeship will usuallytake between one and fouryears to complete, dependingon the occupation. We willcontinue to support you andthe apprentice throughout thetraining. A dedicated Assessorwill agree a training plan withyou and your apprentice andmake regular visits to assesstheir competence and provideon-the-job training.

• Competence-based element (NVQ)• Knowledge-based element (Technical Certificate) • Maths, English and ICT • Employment Rights and Responsibilities • Personal Learning and Thinking Skills

Why choose Stoke on TrentCollege?Widest OfferAs one of the Midland’s large colleges we provide trainingto over 1000 apprentices a year and offer the widest rangeof apprenticeships locally with over 40 occupations tochoose from, and more being developed all the time.

Trusted QualityWidely recognised as a provider of high quality technicaland vocational training the College has investedsignificantly in curriculum development and staff in orderthat it can provide the very best Apprenticeship training tothe employers of North Staffordshire and nationwide.

Flexible serviceWe work with employers to ensure that training fits inaround you.

Dedicated supportFrom the moment you get in touch, we provide supportand advice every step of the way.

Low costWe may be able to help you to access additional funding tosupport your Apprentice.

Distance LearningWe offer a wide range of distance learningqualifications which are nationally recognised andprovide you with a cost-effective and flexible wayof increasing the knowledge of your workforce.At the present, the vast majority of thequalifications we offer through distance learningare FREE.

Professional qualificationsWe provide a range of recognised qualificationsfrom industry-leading awarding bodies such asBTEC, NCFE, AAT, CMI, ILM and NEBOSH.Qualifications are a necessary requirement inmany industries and we ensure that we providethe most up-to-date provision. Qualifications canbe delivered in college, or in some cases, by ablend of distance learning and classroom study.Our tutors are experienced industry practitionerswho focus on enabling our learners to achieve theemployment outcomes and results.

Short coursesShort courses are typically classroom based withlearning lasting one or two days. They aredesigned to provide knowledge on a singlesubject. These courses are typically held duringthe working day at one of our sites. We regularlyadd new courses, for details please visitwww.stokecollege.ac.uk or contact the team on01782 603603.

Bespoke training packagesMany of our courses can be delivered as part of atailor-made programme for your business oremployees. We are happy to deliver courses onyour premises at times to suit you and yourorganisation or to develop distance learningpackages that fit around your working day.

What else can we offer?Organisational and Training Needs AnalysisThe first step in making the most of your employees’potential is to find out exactly what the organisationneeds in terms of skills and then work out how theseneeds can be met.Our team of Business Advisors can carry out a FREEOrganisational and Training Needs Analysis for yourbusiness, considering the needs of the organisation asa whole as well as the teams and individuals withinthe workplace.

Recruitment ServicesWhen it comes to recruiting apprentices we can helpwith a comprehensive recruitment service thatincludes the ability to access work-ready, talentedstudents as they complete their studies with us.The service can include advertising vacancies for yourbusiness, receiving and screening applications, thencarrying out initial assessments to provide you with ashortlist to carry out final interviews with.

TraineeshipsIf you are interested in taking on young people whoare not quite work-ready, then offering a Traineeshipcould be the solution. Traineeships give young peopleaged 16-24 the essential work preparation training,English and maths skills and work experience theyneed to get an apprenticeship or other job in thefuture. If you can offer them the work experienceelement, with a genuine opportunity to apply for anapprenticeship or other job at the end of theTraineeship, then this could be the right route for you.Contact the team for more information.

Competency based qualifications (NVQs)If you want to improve and certify the skills of yourworkforce, then our assessors can work with you todevelop your employees in the workplace and assesstheir competence as they develop.

Useful WebsitesApprenticeshipswww.apprenticeships.org.uk

Skills Funding Agencywww.skillsfundingagency.org.uk

Department of Trade & Industrywww.dti.gov.uk

Directgovvwww.direct.gov.uk

Health & Safety Executivewww.hse.gov.uk

Want toknowmore?Contact us to find out all you need to know aboutApprenticeships and help in choosing the right optionfor you. For more details or to discuss contact theBusiness Services Team or visit our website:www.stokecollege.ac.uk/employeror call 01782 603603

Thank you for reading this guide. We are here towork with you to develop your workforce andincrease your profitability.

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Cauldon CampusStoke Road, Shelton, Stoke on Trent, ST4 2DG

Burslem Campus Moorland Road, Burslem, Stoke on Trent, ST6 1JJ

T 01782 603603E business@stokecoll.ac.uk www.stokecollege.ac.uk/employer

Cauldon CampusStoke Road, Shelton,

Stoke on Trent, ST4 2DG

Burslem Campus Moorland Road, Burslem, Stoke on Trent, ST6 1JJ

T 01782 603603 E business@stokecoll.ac.uk

www.stokecollege.ac.uk/employer