SEAAN SHARING GOOD PRACTICE GUIDE

Apprenticeship Pay And Reward Schemes

5 employers from the SE Apprenticeship Ambassador Network share their strategies for paying a fair and decent wage to their apprentices, with access to additional company benefits.

Brighton and Hove City Council employs 150-160 apprentices across a range of sectors to meet the needs of the many different council departments.

Some are new recruits to the council and others are existing staff who choose an apprenticeship to update their skills.

Pay for new recruits

First year salary - from 1 April 2023

£7.49 per hour

£14,450.35 per annum

First year salary- from April 2023

£10.18 per hour

£19,640.13 per annum

Departmental managers can choose a different pay scale to those above as they hold responsibility for their departmental wages budget, but this does not happen often. One example is an Apprentice teacher who would be paid in line with teacher pay scales.

Other benefits

• Bespoke apprenticeship induction programme

• Non- mandatory one night residential at a water-based activity centre focussing on working as part of a team (subject to available funds).

• Support and guidance from a dedicated line manager, workplace mentor and training assessor.

• Counselling service.

• Annual performance and development reviews and regular supervision sessions

• A career path with the potential to continue learning and development to the next level www.brighton-hove.gov.uk

• Support and guidance to apply for new roles at the end of your apprenticeship

• My Staff Shop, offering discounts in local retail outlets.

• 25% off bus travel across the Brighton & Hove & Metrobus network. Free bus travel for first 4 weeks of employment.

• Black & Minority Ethnic Workers’ Forum; Disabled & Carers’ Network; Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Workers’ Forum and Women’s Network.

• MS Teams – online tool to link council employees, network and share information.

From one electrician...

Darke & Taylor’s long-standing commitment to apprenticeships has enabled the company to grow from being a sole trader to one of the largest privately owned building services businesses in the SE.

The company now employs 237 employees, 61 of which are apprentices. Nearly all are L3 Electrical apprentices although there are also apprentices in Building Services Engineering, Fire and Security Systems, Heating and Ventilation and Project Management.

The company is rightly proud that three employees that started their career as apprentices with Darke & Taylor are now on the board of directors.

Pay

Throughout the apprenticeship scheme, pay increases are awarded after completion of each year, subject to all exams and assessments being achieved. This can vary according to the hours worked and location of work projects but average yearly incomes are as follows:

Benefits

Pension

Health and Safety

Earn While You Learn

Year 1 £13k

Year 2 £17k

Year 3 £26k

Year 4 £30k

Once aged 18, apprentices are automatically enrolled in the company pension scheme, into which Darke and Taylor will make contributions.

An extensive range of additional health and safety training courses are provided.

All ‘working on site days’ and ‘college timetabled days’ paid.

Future Prospects Development in more specific areas of the industry are on offer and further educational courses can be taken to ensure apprentices reach their potential.

Other Benefits

Sick pay, permanent disability, life insurance and hand tool replacement schemes, 40% of hourly pay rate paid for time spent travelling to work projects in company minibus (door to door).

Kent County Council is a county council that governs most of the county of Kent. It is one of the largest local authorities in England in terms of population served and the largest local authority of its type. In 2021/2022 it recruited 257 new apprentices, a mix of new recruits and existing staff utilising apprenticeship training for their professional development.

Pay as from April 2023 (based on current pay levels)

New recruits (L2, 3 and 4)

First 6 months (probationary period): £7.75 per hour

After 6 months: £10 per hour

(bottom of KCC pay grading scale)

The ‘key drivers’ for paying over and above the minimum apprenticeship wage are:

• widening participation; as many potential recruits, especially care experienced young people, could not afford to support themselves financially on the current pay structure.

• Increase completion & retention rates

• Demonstrate KCC’s commitment to supporting young people into paid work with development

Benefits include:

• Tailored induction programme

• Annual assessments and ongoing personal development plans

• Financial help fund - managed by employees for employees

• Access to 1000s of professional & personal development opportunities

• Staff forums

• Local government pension scheme

• Generous holiday entitlement with the option of buying additional leave.

• National and local discounts

• Wellbeing Centre including support line and 7 free counselling sessions available per annum

• Cycle 2 Work scheme

The LTC offers free support to people working in the pub, brewery, wine and spirits industry to help them overcome personal challenges and reach their full potential. Support is just one touch away by downloading the FREE Licensed Trade Charity App.

The Charity employs 11 apprentices across its departments including education, head office, grounds and maintenance.

Pay

Apprentices at all levels.

£18,250 with an increase after 52 weeks. Due to the nature of the business apprentices are 18+.

Benefits

• Company pension – 3 types available

• Cycle to Work scheme

• Life Assurance

• 26 days annual leave plus bank holidays

• Gym and pool

• Free parking

• Other retail discounts as available www.licensedtradecharity.org.uk

• GP and prescription service available on request.