employment and skills
April/May 2021 business edge
Demystifying Apprenticeships Below we debunk some popular myths surrounding apprenticeships with examples from the people that work with us. boost employee motivation by investing in their development
Maria Georgiou
Regional Account Manager (Apprenticeships) Ixion
improve retention For example, an experienced employee may be keen to get a formal qualification in their specialist area, or perhaps someone who has the aptitude and drive to learn something new and progress into a different role.
Myth: Apprenticeships are only for young people Apprenticeships are actually for anyone aged 16 and over – there is no upper age limit. They are suitable not just for school leavers, but also for those looking to change careers and those looking to return to work after a career break.
more time that is spent developing skills and supporting the apprentice to be able to put these into practice the more everyone gets out of the apprenticeship.
Apprenticeships are also for people of any age who are already employed and looking to upskill.
At Ixion, we believe a successful Apprenticeship programme is a mutual and communicative partnership between us, the employer and the learner.
Here at Ixion we support employers to recruit and train individuals of all ages and backgrounds to support social mobility and ensure individuals reach their potential.
“As a mentor you need to change their mentality to work, communicate and relay information, take the time to teach them skills.
“Apprenticeships provide a learning gateway for all: at any phase of life; at any stage of professional expertise; for any level of experience. They enable next step thinking to be integrated into current practice which scaffolds a platform for growth, self-determined career progression, and intellectual challenge. Whether you are 17 or 70, with qualifications, or without, apprenticeships provide bespoke tailored opportunities which are expertly matched to the needs of an individual enabling a personalised approach to both learning and accreditation.” Jo Morgan, CEO, Shaw Education Trust and Senior Leader, Masters Degree Apprentice “We have young people as well as people in their late twenties, thirties and forties. We value those transferable skills from previous roles in older apprentices as much as the raw talent that younger people bring as a way to get into the construction industry which is great for us.” Amy Ross, Head of Social Value, Higgins Partnerships
Myth: Apprentices are there to do the jobs you don’t want to do Apprenticeships are training programmes for people to develop the skills and knowledge they need in order to be effective in their roles. This not only benefits the apprentice but also the organisation they are working in. The
As an employer you need to take responsibility as it’s your job to help them develop to ensure they become a wellrounded individual – it’s not cheap labour – this isn’t fair on them or you as they won’t pass and it’s a waste of time.” Saima Khan, CVC Components
Myth: Apprenticeships are only for manual roles Apprenticeships cover a large number of sectors and job roles from Business and Customer Services, Health and Social Care, Education, Retail, Hospitality, Media and Marketing – you can even study puppet making! Within each sector they cover a number of roles from entry-level all the way to management. “It has definitely given me a lot more information, knowledge and skills, and has made me better at my job. It’s been an eye opener, learning all the skills needed to be able to provide the best support in my role. It’s also made me want to continue learning.” Jack, Level 3 Teaching Assistant Apprenticeship
Myth: Apprenticeships cannot be used for existing staff Apprenticeships can be used to upskill and retrain your existing workforce. You can use apprenticeship training to: fill key skill gaps in your business
Apprenticeships are designed by employers so they reflect the relevant knowledge, skills and behaviours that your business needs. “I was doing well at what I needed to improve on, and unlearning the bad habits – it was nice to get a bit of reassurance I was on the right lines and the things I shouldn’t be doing as a line manager I was able to unlearn, and going though changes in my management style was really beneficial.” Jonathan Weighall, Management Level 3 Apprenticeship
Government Incentive Payments In the March 2021 Budget, the Government announced further employer incentives for apprenticeships in recognition of the value they bring to the economy from 1 April 2021 until September 2021. £3,000 for each new apprentice hired of any age Together with the existing £1,000 payment provided for new apprentices aged 16 to 18 and those under 25 with an Education, Health and Care Plan Therefore an employer can claim a total of £4,000 per apprentice. Until 31 July 2021 employers can also receive £1,000 for each new trainee taken on, therefore an employer progressing a trainee into an apprenticeship can receive up to £5,000 for one new employee. We are part of Shaw Trust, one of the largest charities in the UK and together we believe in fairness, equality and opportunity. We believe everyone has the right to live a decent and dignified life and have the opportunity for rewarding work. As a social purpose organisation, we challenge inequality and break down barriers to enable social mobility. If you would like to consider an apprenticeship for an existing employee, or would like support with hiring an apprentice then please get in touch. maria.georgiou@ixionholdings.com
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