Keighley College Apprentice Employer Prospectus 2022

Hire an Apprentice

Employing an apprentice is easier than you think.

Director's Welcome

Hello,

We're pleased you've expressed interest in an apprenticeship with Luminate Education Group and look forward to supporting you in achieving your business apprenticeship ambitions. We take a collaborative approach to working together and offer specialist staff training and development. Keighley College is a member of Luminate Education Group, one of the UK's fastest-improving and innovative education groups. Consisting of Harrogate College, University Centre Leeds, Leeds Sixth Form College, Leeds City College and Leeds Conservatoire, we're one of the region's largest education and apprenticeship providers, with over 30,000 students and 2,000 staff members. All our members work in partnership to provide the best possible opportunities for students, our employers and stakeholders. We take pride in our alignment with local needs and offer inclusive education for all.

As an apprenticeship provider, you'll work closely with our dedicated, proactive Business Development team at Keighley College. Together, they'll work with you to identify your training and development objectives and deliver a bespoke training package.

Our philosophy is straightforward: to determine your key business requirements, we start by getting to know the heart of your organisation.

We are focused on providing the best support possible. Alongside offering solutions to your business and employee apprenticeship needs, we'll regularly evaluate training and measure its impact on your organisation. We will also seek funding on your behalf to minimise overheads, allowing you to focus on your employee development.

At Keighley College, our investment in our students and the community has resulted in exceptional learning environments with industry-standard equipment, specialist classrooms and study spaces available to anyone accessing our education.

To see our facilities first-hand, please contact our Business Development team.

Our service to employers

A dedicated account manager who will support and advise you

A complete training programme for all your business requirements

A collaborative partnership offering

High-quality training and ongoing support

A flexible approach to the needs of your employees and organisation

Advertising for job vacancies at no extra cost

Recruitment support at no extra cost

We look forward to working with you!

Lee Pryor

Director of Apprenticeships and Business Development Luminate Education Group

Why apprenticeships are good for business

Apprenticeships enable both the apprentice and employer to progress. As an employer, you can nurture your trade's next generation of skilled workers by teaching the skills your industry needs the most and that are only learned on the job.

You can also employ apprentices at different levels of experience, enabling you to offer specialised or higher-level apprenticeships. Apprenticeships will attract school leavers, university graduates and those in further education, as well as people looking to progress their careers, join a new profession or develop trade skills. An apprenticeship also means having the ability to upskill an existing employee, so you can offer more progression and retain your workforce for longer.

As a company, you'll have first-hand access to rising talent, teaching individuals who are already passionate about, and want a career in, your industry. You will also find your business benefits from the wider networks and advertising involved with recruiting apprenticeships and partnering with our college.

Apprenticeships benefits according to employers

of employers found that apprenticeships developed skills relevant to their organisation and electrical engineer

of employers reported increased productivity

of apprentices stay on in their place of work after their apprenticeship

employers said apprenticeships helped them improve the quality of their product or service

apprenticeships .gov .uk

Why choose an apprenticeship with us?

We develop a valuable relationship built on mutual respect, trust and integrity. We are responsive, provide quality with speed and always centre your business needs.

The college's knowledge will be current, comprehensive and relevant. With this and our training, your staff will be better informed and develop stronger skills as managers and leaders. Our partnership will enable individuals to fulfil their aspirations, realise ambitions and achieve personal and professional goals.

We understand that apprenticeship training doesn't always suit individual needs, so we have a full range of commercial offerings that can bridge any skills gaps.

The Apprenticeship Business Engagement and Recruitment

team can support potential learners and employers through the process of getting an apprenticeship set up with our college.

Be allocated your own account manager who will help identify any training needs for current staff members and new recruits

Get support with registering on the ESFA Digital Apprenticeship Service

Discuss a bespoke delivery method to suit your needs

Receive help with writing job descriptions for your vacancy

Advertise your vacancy on national job boards and to students currently studying full time at college

Sift applications for suitable candidates

Organise a health and safety check for your premises

Get support with completing required paperwork for apprenticeships

Teaching staff

Whether your apprentice comes into college or not, they will still have the use of all campuses and facilities to aid and support learning. They will learn from and have access to fully qualified tutors and assessors. Our tutors and assessors are from the industry and can offer real skills and expert advice bespoke to your sector.

20% off-the-job training

To promote progress and success at an individual level, we will perform an initial diagnostic assessment and tailor the programme to meet your apprentice requirements.

Throughout the programme, your apprentices will have access to a designated tutor, an extensive range of blended learning opportunities, an electronic portfolio (OneFile), and classroom-based teaching from highly qualified and experienced tutors.

Additionally, to support the 20% off-the-job training, the assessor/trainer will support your apprentices in recording all other training in the workplace. This will be recorded on their OneFile.

Case studies

"I have worked closely with Keighley College for over five years. The relationship is excellent. We currently have 12 apprentices at various levels, the skills and knowledge they have gained each year helps us and the college!"

"Produmax took the strategic decision to make apprentices the key focus of our recruitment strategy back in 2014 and the impact this has had on the business has been astonishing”

Paul Birtles, Operations Director

Nathan Varley, Metalcraft Europe Group

7 steps: hire an apprentice with our support

STEP 1: Think about the role you want to fill

We can help you identify any training or skills gaps. A job specification needs to be thought about and should include essential and desirable knowledge criteria and previous experience you wish the successful candidate to have. It's essential to include a job title, a description of the role's primary duties and purpose, information about your company and the job location in your job description.

STEP 2: Deciding how much to pay your apprentice

The right wage will expand your potential candidates, increase interest, and boost commitment and productivity. It will also need to be the right balance for your company’s finances and aims. We can advise you on the best wage for your apprentice and answer any questions you may have.

Find an apprenticeship gov .uk/national-minimum-wage-rates

STEP 3: Advertising your apprenticeship vacancies

An essential place to advertise apprenticeship vacancies is the Find an apprenticeship website. Alongside this, your apprenticeship advertisement will reach our wide college network and partners. We can guide you in advertising your apprenticeship vacancy and help with recruitment for the position.

Find an apprenticeship gov .uk/apply-apprenticeship

STEP 4: Shortlisting candidates

We will support you with the shortlisting of suitable candidates, ensuring your company needs are met with an apprentice who can excel in your company. We will also help you access our pool of student learners looking to progress with an apprenticeship of your type.

STEP 5: Preparing for the interview

Our recruitment advisor will recommend the candidates most suited for your role. You ultimately decide who you interview, and we will be available for any support needed during your decision-making process. We can also assist with designing your interview questions and process; we recommend focusing questions around soft skills and technical potential. It's important to manage expectations during the interview. While candidates are unlikely to have lots of industry experience, their passion for your industry, enthusiasm and willingness to learn should more than make up for this.

STEP 6: Your candidate has a work trial

We encourage a 1-2 day work trial to help you decide on your apprentice. As a less formal alternative to the interview, it enables both you and your candidate to experience working together. It will also help you understand their suitability to the role. During this trial, candidates would benefit from spending time with their potential mentor, meeting the rest of the team, and experiencing key elements of their role.

STEP 7: It's time to hire!

Up until now, our recruitment advisors will check in with your applicants after each interview, gaining feedback and helping to determine each candidate's potential. They'll also be able to support the candidate in growing and improving in the areas you saw potential in. You are likely to have decided on who you will offer the role to after the trial. Once your final decision is made, we will contact your chosen candidate to offer them the position and agree their start date.

And that's it – your recruitment journey is complete and your new apprentice is ready to start!

What are the next steps

The apprenticeship recruitment journey can raise many questions and we'll be there to offer support at every stage. From day one, you will be assigned a dedicated Business Engagement Advisor who will stay in regular contact with you to discuss your apprentice's progression, offer solutions and go through any additional requirements you may have.

If you are ready to take the first step in hiring an apprentice, get in touch with our team today. apprenticeships@keighleycollege.ac.uk

Intermediate (Level 2)

Generally considered to be equivilant to five GCSE passes.

Advanced (Level 3)

Generally considered to be equivilant to two A level passes.

Higher (Level 4 and 5)

Level 4 – equivilant to an HNC, a foundation degree, or the first year of an undergraduate degree. Levels 5 and above – equivilant to a full degree.

Degree (Level 6)

Equivilant to a full degree.

Apprenticeships levels and entry requirements explained

Intermediate Apprenticeships:

Intermediate Apprenticeships are equivalent to a junior role within a company. These are for new candidates in the industry and teach the basic skills and knowledge required to progress within a chosen career path.

Examples of job roles include Administrator Assistant and Junior Hair Stylist.

Advanced Apprenticeships:

An Advanced Apprenticeship builds on the skills and knowledge gained from an Intermediate Apprenticeship. These apprenticeships begin to specialise a candidate’s industry knowledge. They are suitable for people who have previously completed an apprenticeship or have been within a job role for some time.

Examples of job roles include Software Developer, Chef de Partie and Electrical Engineer.

Higher Apprenticeships:

Higher Apprenticeships are for people in senior roles within a company who want to develop their skills to progress further. These apprenticeships are equivalent to completing a foundation degree or Higher National Diploma.

Examples of job roles include Apprentice Teacher, Lab Technician and Project Manager.

Degree Apprenticeships:

Degree or Master's Degree

Apprenticeships are for those who want to be specialists within their field and hold a senior position within a company (such as senior management or technical specialist). These apprenticeships usually involve the undertaking of an under/ postgraduate qualification.

Examples of job roles include Managing Director, Laboratory Scientist and HE Lecturer

at a glance

Apprenticeship course list

Business

Maintenance

Engineering Design & Draughtsperson

Fitter

Manufacturing Technician

Operative

Technician

Technician

Technician

Technician

and Escalator

Support)

39-45

42-45

15.3

42-45

42-45

36-39

& Operations Engineering

Funding

An apprenticeship is an investment in your organisation's growth. Before hiring your apprentice, it's important you have budgeted for employment costs that include wages, training, assessments and equipment.

Apprenticeship training costs vary depending on the type of apprenticeship programme you choose and the size of your organisation. We offer support, solutions and advice tailored to your organisation.

Our team will also work to find your company funding for your apprenticeship, enabling you to focus on the wider picture. We're committed to supporting you to access and identify available funding that will allow individuals from all backgrounds and abilities, and those who may need additional support, to access your apprenticeship.

Support for 16-18 year olds

£1,000 to help meet the extra costs associated with supporting young apprentices

Paid in two equal instalments at 90 days and 365 days following enrolment

– The payment is in addition to the incentive payment

The payment is made to your training provider (in this case, us), who will transfer the money to you

Support for care leavers and those

– This government-provided financial support helps employers provide apprenticeships to people from all backgrounds

– The payment is in addition to the incentive payment

The payment is made to your training provider (in this case, us), who will transfer the money to you

If you have less than 50 employees and your apprentice is aged 16-18, the apprenticeship training will be 100% funded.

If you've hired an apprentice who is aged 19 or over, there will be a 5% contribution towards the overall cost of the apprenticeship training, regardless of how many employees you have.

£1,000 to help with extra costs to support apprentices aged 19-24 who've been in care or have a Local Authority Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP).

Clare Fitzgerald