EMPLOYERS’ GUIDE TO APPRENTICESHIPS
CONTENTS
Welcome
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What is an apprentice
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Apprenticeships we offer
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Work with us
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Apprenticeship Levy
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Recruitment Process
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WELCOME We at The Etc. pride ourselves on building transformational partnerships not transactional relationships with all our employers, supporting the Tees Valley to develop the skills of its workforce. Apprenticeships rely on a three-way partnership between apprentice, employer and training provider to ensure the apprentice acquires the skills, knowledge, behaviours and attitudes necessary for career development and employment opportunities.
We work with employers across the Tees Valley, not only in the provision of learning and development for individuals new to the workplace, but also to fulfil the aspirations of existing employees, which helps to improve business performance and stimulate local business growth.
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WHAT IS AN APPRENTICESHIP? Apprenticeships are available for all ages. It is a programme of learning specific to the apprentice’s needs, enabling them to gain knowledge and develop skills, behaviours, attitudes, and experience that lead to a successful career through a mixture of on and off-the-job training relevant to their chosen occupation.
CAN APPRENTICESHIPS BE USED TO UPSKILL CURRENT STAFF?
As well as being ideal for recruiting new team members, apprenticeships also offer a cost-effective way to upskill current employees and bridge any skills gap that you may have. The benefits of upskilling existing employees include: • Tailored skillsets • Enhanced skills, knowledge, behaviours and attitudes • Greater job satisfaction
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• Improved staff retention • Investment in the future • Improved productivity • A positive return on investment and more.
HOW MUCH DO I NEED TO PAY MY APPRENTICE?
Apprentices are entitled to the Apprenticeship National Minimum Wage. Please visit the Government minimum wage website for the current rate of pay: www.gov.uk/nationalminimum-wage. Apprentices are entitled to a minimum 20 days annual leave a year excluding bank holidays.
GRANTS
Grants may be available, contact 01642 865 557 for further information.
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APPRENTICESHIPS WE OFFER ACCOUNTING BEAUTY THERAPY BRICKLAYING BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION CARE WORKER CHARTERED LEGAL EXECUTIVE CHILDCARE COACHING COMPUTING CUSTOMER SERVICE ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING ELECTRICAL INSTALLATIONS ENGINEERING FABRICATION FACILITIES HAIRDRESSING HEALTHCARE SUPPORT WORKER HR SUPPORT JOINERY MANAGEMENT MECHANICAL ENGINEERING MOTOR VEHICLE PAINTING & DECORATING 6
PARALEGAL PERSONAL TRAINING PLASTERING PLUMBING PORT OPERATIVE SCAFFOLDING SOCIAL MEDIA & DIGITAL MARKETING TEACHING WAREHOUSING & LOGISTICS WELDING
ADDITIONAL DEVELOPMENT
If your apprentice does not hold GCSEs in maths and English (and ICT where required) they will have to complete functional skills qualifications as part of their apprenticeship. Functional Skills are “the English, maths and ICT skills that individuals need to operate confidently, effectively and independently”: • In education • In life • In work
SAFEGUARDING AND PREVENT Safeguarding and Prevent are at the forefront of the Colleges agenda.
We promote Fundamental British Values and encourage our learners and employers to work with us to be vigilant to radicalisation and extremist behaviours. With this in mind we have a single point of contact (SPOC) and disclosure process for safeguarding and Prevent which is confirmed during enrolment and referred to at key review points as well as being part of teaching and learning.
HEALTH & SAFETY
Health and safety training must be provided as part of the induction training for apprentices which should be comprehensive.
INSURANCE
Public and Employer Liability cover must be held and renewed annually. A current certificate should be displayed at all times and your allocated assessor will need to confirm renewal details.
SAFETY POLICY
All companies which employ 5 or more people including apprentices and part-time staff must have a written Health & Safety Policy.
RISK ASSESSMENT
All employers must carry out risk assessments on all areas in the workplace. This must include an assessment on the risk of fire, manual handling, hazardous materials and processes.
ACCIDENT PROCEDURES
All premises must have adequate first aid facilities including an accident book, first aid, a nominated person, or qualified first aider, depending on the size of the organisation. The college must be contacted in the event of an accident involving an apprentice.
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WORK WITH US At The Etc. we offer more than apprenticeships to support your business. We offer a wide range of services including, bespoke training, traineeships, recruitment services and more.
Our aim is to develop transformational partnerships not transactional relationships across the Tees Valley and are currently working with some of the most innovative organisations across the region and nationally.
Our Business Development Team can help you unlock business potential working with on solutions aligned to your ambition. Some of the companies we work with:
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APPRENTICESHIP LEVY WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO PAY?
Employers with a wage bill of £3million or more are required to pay into the apprenticeship levy from May 2017. All employers receive an offset allowance of £15,000. Example: Employer with a £3,500,000 wage bill. Levy sum: 0.5% of £3,500,000 = £17,500 Allowance: - £15,000 Annual payment: £2,750
HOW WILL THE LEVY BE PAID AND ACCESSED?
The apprenticeship levy will be paid through the PAYE system on a monthly basis alongside income tax and national insurance. These funds are then transferred into your own Digital Apprenticeship Service account where these funds are turned into digital vouchers. These digital vouchers can then be used to pay for apprenticeship training. If you do not spend your digital vouchers within 24 months they will expire.
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CAN THE LEVY BE USED TO FUND APPRENTICESHIPS FOR CURRENT STAFF?
As well as recruiting new employees, the levy can be used to up-skill current employees who meet the eligibility criteria.
WHAT IF I AM NOT A LEVY PAYER?
If you’re looking to hire an apprentice you will need to reserve the funds on the Digital Apprenticeship Service website. We can take you through this step by step or complete the process for you if required. Companies with 49 employees or less or those employing apprentices between the ages of 16-18 could also be eligible for additional funding.
RECRUITMENT PROCESS HOW CAN WE HELP?
We can support with recruitment and develop a job description and person specification, advertise your vacancy, shortlist, and manage the process, and arrange and support interviews. Contact our Business Development team for more information on 01642 865 557.
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Harvard Avenue, Stockton-on-Tees TS17 6FB Tel: 01642 865 557 Email: business@the-etc.ac.uk
