Apprenticeship Guide

ers employ s 80% ofprenticeship p y A it claim t productiv ntices boos t appre and a h t e e r d 88% agmore satisfie ted are a iv t o m ff ced sta rt redu creased o p e r 80% ver and in turno loyalty ship tice l Apprenployer Nationa Source: ice/Populus em Serv survey

Apprentices - They Work!

In an increasingly competitive environment, successful businesses know that whatever their size, they must develop and maintain a skilled and motivated workforce to continue thriving.

That’s where Apprenticeships can help …

Apprenticeships are available to both new and existing staff and provide on-the-job training for anyone aged over 16 (subject to eligibility). Apprenticeships are based on national frameworks, designed by employers, and focus on the skills that businesses need. They include an NVQ Diploma, Functional Skills (in maths, English or ICT), and a theory based qualification that relates specifically to the type of work being undertaken by the apprentice.

Three levels of Apprenticeship available: • Intermediate Level Apprenticeships are at NVQ Diploma level 2 (equivalent to five good GCSE passes) and take around 12 months to complete.

• Advanced Level Apprenticeships are at NVQ Diploma level 3 (equivalent to two A Level passes) and take two to four years to complete.

• Higher Level Apprenticeships are at NVQ Diploma level 4 or 5 plus various qualifications such as HNC, HND or Foundation Degree, and take two to four years to complete.

• The success of Apprentices with City College Plymouth in 2010/11 was outstanding at 12% above the national average.

• Full funding is available for all 16-18 year olds. Funding rates vary for those aged 19+, please contact us for details.

• Special offer - take on two 16-18 year old apprentices, and we’ll waive the fees of a third (any age).

Source: Qualification Success Rates Period 15, Jan 2012

Why City College Plymouth?

The South West of England is the highest performing region for apprentices and City College Plymouth, with nearly 1,000 apprentices, is the highest performing provider in the region. We have excellent links with industry and a wealth of experience in recruiting and placing apprentices. We can support you in finding the best candidate(s) for your Apprenticeship vacancies through our robust recruitment and selection processes and we also carry out testing to ensure that you get to see candidates with the right skills and attitude to benefit your business.

Apprenticeship programmes We offer a wide range of Apprenticeships, from Barbering through to Wood Occupations, which we are constantly up-dating and renewing. Apprenticeship’s can really help to support your future business needs, helping you to grow your own and plan effectively for the future.

Our current range of Apprenticeship frameworks are highlighted below - just see for yourself the great variety on offer!

Occupational Area Barbering Boat Building Business and Administration Business and Administration (Medical) Business and Professional Administration Children and Young People’s Workforce Cleaning / Environmental Services* Construction (Maintenance Operations) Construction Management* Craft Cuisine* Customer Service Decorative Finishing (Painting and Decorating) Dental Nursing* Distribution (Warehousing and Storage Operations) Domestic Heating Electrical Installation Engineering Maintenance Engineering Production Food Preparation and Cooking Gas Hairdressing Health and Beauty Health and Social Care Hospitality Hospitality Management* Housekeeping* Information Technology Lab Technicians Laminating Logistics* Manufacturing (Welding) Marine Engineering Nail Services Plastering Plumbing and Heating Professional Cookery Supporting Teaching and Learning Sustainable Resource Management* Team Leading and Management Travel* Trowel Occupations Vehicle Body Refinishing Vehicle Body Repair Vehicle Engineering (Light) Waste Management* Wood Occupations Youth Work*

* Frameworks currently in development - coming soon!

Intermediate Apprenticeship Level 2 3 3 3

Advanced Apprenticeship Level 3 3 3 3 3

3 3 3

3

Higher Apprenticeship Level 4

3

3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3

3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3

3 3

3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3

3 3

Next steps…

Recruiting a new apprentice

You can take on an apprentice in a number of ways. You could offer an Apprenticeship to an existing member of staff, or you could recruit a new member to your team. Whichever route you choose to take, we will work with you throughout the process, and wherever possible help you access any available funding.

Looking to increase the size of your workforce by recruiting a new member of staff as an apprentice? Our step-by-step guide below shows just how easy it is!

See our step-by-step guide below to taking on an apprentice - it’s easy!

Step 1

Contact the Corporate Relations team on 01752 305026 and speak with one of our experienced account managers, who will ask you to provide a copy of the job description. This will enable the current role being undertaken to be matched to an appropriate Apprenticeship framework.

Step 2

Your member of staff will need to complete and submit an application form to the College. We can help with this and on receipt of the application form will ensure that it is processed quickly and efficiently by the correct department.

Step 3

Your member of staff will then be invited to the College for assessments to check their skills in maths, English, ICT and the vocational skills related to the Apprenticeship.

Please note these assessments are intended to ensure the Apprenticeship is the right course for the right person. They are usually delivered over two sessions, which last up to five hours each.

Step 1

Contact the Corporate Relations team on 01752 305026 and speak with one of our experienced account managers. Provide us with a job description so that the role can be matched to an appropriate Apprenticeship framework (we have samples available, which you can easily adapt).

Step 2

Your vacancy will be matched to any candidates that have applied to the College and will be advertised on the National Apprenticeship Service’s website, the College website and through Careers South West. In order to attract a wide range of applicants, we recommend that you also advertise the vacancy as widely as possible through your own recruitment channels, signposting applicants to the College.

Step 3

You will be provided with a shortlist of potential candidates for interview, following rigorous screening and sifting from our experienced Work-based Learning team.

Step 4

The College will co-ordinate interviews with the candidates on your behalf and, if you require, provide guidance on selection methods and interviewing.

Step 5 Step 4

On successful completion of the assessments, and once a framework has been agreed, the applicant will be assigned a Reviewing Officer who will be your main point of contact for the duration of the Apprenticeship. They will visit your workplace to complete an induction into the Apprenticeship, which will include a basic health and safety check covering: employer liability insurance details, serviced fire extinguishers, fire exits and first aid boxes.

Your apprentice will then be employed as per your organisation’s terms and conditions. Otherwise, steps two to four are repeated until a suitable candidate is found.

Some things to consider...

• Apprentices must have a contract of employment and ideally work 30 hours a week (which includes any hours where they attend training).

• Apprentices aged 16-17 are not allowed to work more than 40 hours per week.

• Pay must be a minimum of £2.65 per hour (from October 2012).

• Those aged over 19 may be paid the Apprenticeship wage for their first year of study when they start training, but must move to the National Minimum Wage as soon as 12 months have elapsed, whenever that may be within their Apprenticeship programme.

City College Plymouth is proud to work with the following employers, supporting their Apprenticeship recruitment and training