Apprenticeship Guidance for Subcontractors
Helping shape the future
Apprenticeship Guidance for Subcontractors
Building for the Future Purpose The Social Value and Community Manager (SVCM) for each Hill region will support subcontractors in recruiting apprentices where required, to meet project apprentice targets in line with Hill’s membership to the 5% club. Where possible all apprenticeship opportunities should be sourced by advertising and recruiting locally, to also support the project target of 25% local labour across every Hill site.
Responsibilities Regardless of whether it’s a direct recruitment or hire via a shared apprenticeship scheme, it is the subcontractor’s responsibility to manage the apprentice and monitor the wellbeing of the apprentice whilst under their care. When an apprentice joins a project, you must inform the relevant SVCM, so our internal reporting system can be updated and advise when the apprentice leaves.
Support available for subcontractors If the apprentice is recruited through a shared apprenticeship scheme, the subcontractor will need to liaise with them directly about any concerns, however the SVCM is happy to attend the beginning stage meetings to support. The SVCM will arrange bi-monthly meetings following the start of a project with each subcontractor, to ensure they are accessing support available, and to monitor progress against social value targets.
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What is an apprenticeship? An apprenticeship combines practical training in a job with parttime study. Usually, apprentices will attend college one day per week, but a small amount study on block release. The minimum duration of an apprenticeship is 12 months. To start an apprenticeship you must be over the age of 16, live in England have right to work (RTW) and not be in full-time education. The difference between a new start apprenticeship and an upskilling apprentice is a new start is someone who is joining the business as an apprentice, an upskill apprentice is an existing employee who would like to further their education by achieving an apprenticeship standard. How you fund an apprenticeship depends on the size of your business. A business will pay the Levy if they have a payroll over £3 million each year, the Levy pot can be used to fund up to 100% of the training costs for an apprenticeship. If a business does not pay the Levy, they will pay 5% towards the cost of apprenticeship training, the government will pay the rest (95%) up to the funding band maximum, directly to the training provider.
Apprenticeship levels Each apprenticeship has a level and an equivalent education level. You can start an apprenticeship at any level. At the end of your apprenticeship, you’ll achieve the equivalent education level. For example, if you complete a level 3 apprenticeship, you’ll achieve the equivalent of an A level.
Levels of apprenticeship Level
Equivalent educational level
2
GCSE
3
A level
4 and 5
Foundation degree and HNC/HND
6 and 7
Bachelor’s or master’s degree
Apprenticeships have equivalent educational levels. Some apprenticeships may also give you an additional qualification, such as a diploma.
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Apprenticeship Guidance for Subcontractors
Recruiting an apprentice There are two ways to recruit an apprentice, via direct recruitment OR using one of the many shared apprenticeship providers available across the country.
Benefits of hiring an apprentice for businesses y You develop a dedicated workforce y Bridges the skills gap y Increases diversity y Reduces staff turnover y Gives something back to the community (local unemployed) y Reduces the cost of recruitment y Introduces a fresh perspective y Financial incentives
Best practice example
“I would like to thank Hill, EJ Taylor and K10 for giving me this opportunity to kickstart my career in the construction industry and recognising my hard work with the ‘Best Team Player' award. The support I've recieved on site has been fantastic, teaching me many new skills." LEWIS TIMMINS, GROUNDWORKS APPRENTICE
L-R: Jim Brown – Contracts Manager, The Hill Group, James Latchfield – E.J. Taylor & Sons, Robert Smith – E.J. Taylor & Sons, Lewis Timmins, Adam Sapey – Chief Operating Officer, K10
“Myself and E.J.Taylor would like to take this opportunity to congratulate Lewis on his achievement of 'Best Team Player 2022'. We are very pleased with his personal development and progress with his NVQ level 2 apprenticeship in civil engineering and groundworks operations. We are very proud that our site team have played a part in the development of Lewis’s practical skills and will continue to help him develop and progress." ALAN ELVIN, CONTRACTS MANAGER - EJ TAYLOR
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Apprenticeship Guidance for Subcontractors
What is a shared apprenticeship provider?
Benefits of using a shared apprenticeship provider
The Shared Apprenticeship Scheme was set up to help employers who want to support the development of skills while working on regional contracts but are not in a position to offer a full-term apprenticeship.
The scheme allows employers to enjoy all the benefits of an apprentice, without any long-term risk or long-term cost to their business.
The cost for using a shared apprenticeship provider varies by location, but a minimum of 6–12-months commitment is required. Opposite is a list of shared apprenticeship providers who can support across various regions.
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An apprentice who completes the full threeyear apprenticeship will pick up an NVQ/HNC/ Foundation degree in their chosen trade. Around 90% of apprentices who complete a three or more year apprenticeship have secured full-time employment in their chosen trade. The Shared Apprenticeship Scheme allows employers to support and benefit from apprentices, even if they are unable to offer them a long-term placement.
Shared Apprenticeship Providers Name
(will provide 6 month apprenticeships).
Location
Costs
Contact
London & the West Midlands including Birmingham
£8.87 - £17.68 ph depending on age and level.
Terrie Wells Terrie.Wells@evolveuk.org
London
£9.18 - £14.75 ph depending on age and level.
Cathal Geraghty cathalgeraghty@k-10.co.uk
Norfolk, Essex, Suffolk, Kent, East Sussex
£242 pw
Sue Appleby sue@tracweb.co.uk
Bristol
£341.20 - £596.80 pw depending on age and level.
Emma Tate emma@sharedapprenticeships.com
Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Hampshire, Isle of Wight, Oxfordshire, Surrey, West Sussex
£302 - £542 pw depending on age and level.
Molly Albone molly@cotrain.org.uk
Greater London & Surrounding Counties
Weekly rate £680
Joe Brennan joe@jbt-training.co.uk
(will only provide 12 month apprenticeships).
Mark Pope mark@secbe.org.uk
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Contact Head Office
The Power House Gunpowder Mill Powdermill Lane Waltham Abbey Essex EN9 1BN 020 8527 1400
recruitment@hill.co.uk land@hill.co.uk sales@hill.co.uk info@hill.co.uk
Cambridge Office
Crawley Office
Bristol Office
The Courtyard Abbey Barns Duxford Road Ickleton Cambridgeshire CB10 1SX 01223 792700
Westfield House Bonnetts Lane Crawley West Sussex RH11 0NY 01293 572260
Origin Workspace 40 Berkeley Square Bristol BS8 1HP 020 8527 1400
Oxford Office
Suite 45 37 St Andrews Street Norwich Norfolk NR2 4TP
Suite A Windrush Court Abingdon Business Park Abingdon Oxfordshire OX14 1SY 01869 360123
Hill Group UK
Norfolk Office
@HillGroupUK
hill.co.uk