For Employers

What is an Apprenticeship?

An apprenticeship is a work-based training programme designed around the needs of employers, which lead to nationally recognised qualifications.

Apprenticeships are made up of a framework of qualifications, which include an NVQ, Diploma or Certificate (competence qualification), Technical Certificate (underpinning knowledge), Functional Skills (English, maths, ICT), Personal Learning and Thinking Skills (PLTS) and Employment Rights and Responsibilities (ERR). Apprenticeships at BCoT do have entry criteria and each candidate will be assessed to ascertain their current level to ensure suitability onto the chosen apprenticeship programme.

Apprenticeships are open to newly recruited staff and existing employees and have no maximum age restriction. They help to refresh, enhance and develop your workforce to meet the growth needs of your business.

Upon completion of an apprenticeship, employees not only achieve a nationally recognised qualification but will have gained the skills and knowledge required to make a positive impact within your organisation.

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How can Apprenticeships benefit my business?

In these uncertain economic times, it is vital that your workforce is fully committed, motivated and trained to the required level to ensure the continued success and growth of your business. Taking on an apprentice or providing opportunities for your existing staff to undertake an apprenticeship can benefit you as an employer by:

Reducing advertising and recruitment costs - BCoT can advertise your vacancy free of charge through the National Apprenticeship Service website. Training apprentices is more cost effective than hiring pre-skilled staff, leading to lower overall training and recruitment costs.

Providing cost effective training - BCoT can access government funding through the Skills Funding Agency to contribute towards the cost of the training.

Offering a flexible, convenient training programme which can be tailored to meet your organisational needs - BCoT will work with you to ensure that the apprentices learning plan compliments their job role and the requirements of your business.

Developing a well-trained, committed and motivated workforce - apprentices are predominantly more eager, motivated, flexible and loyal to the company that invested in them.

Increasing productivity and overall company performance - apprenticeships deliver a real return to your bottom line. A majority of employers say that apprenticeships helped them to improve productivity and to be more competitive.

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What is the cost of an Apprenticeship?

Apprenticeships are fully funded by the Skills Funding Agency for learners aged 16-18 and part funded for learners aged 19+. This means that there may be a contribution required for some apprenticeship programmes, and this varies depending on the industry sector. Please contact us for further details.

Click here to view the new Funding Guide for Employers for Advanced and Higher Apprenticeships for those 24 years of age and above. This document was issued by the National Apprenticeship Service

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How is the training delivered?

For apprenticeships in Engineering, Automotive, Hairdressing, Beauty, Barbering, Accountancy and Construction, learners attend college on a day release basis.

Apprenticeships in Business Administration, Customer Service, Management, Team Leading, Support Teaching and Learning, Hospitality and Warehousing are delivered in the workplace and can be started at any time of the year. Please contact us for further details.

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What support is available for employers?

• Promotion of your vacancy through BCoTs database of applicants
• Screening for literacy & numeracy levels for new recruits and existing employees
• Further in-depth screening for training needs takes place for those candidates progressing to Advanced Apprenticeships and other training programmes
• BCoT will carry out a Health & Safety audit to ensure that your premises comply with up to date Health & Safety legislation
• A dedicated Training Consultant will be allocated to each apprentice and will provide you with regular feedback on progress
• Reviews by the Training Consultants will take place at least once every 6-12 weeks
• If training is delivered in the workplace, an assessor will visit your apprentice once every 2-4 weeks
• Funding and government grants to assist with the cost of training

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What are my responsibilities as an employer?

• To contribute towards training fees where applicable
• To pay the apprentice a fair rate of pay; taking into account learner status, market forces and your own pay policy. The minimum hourly rate for apprentices in England is currently £2.65
• To provide each apprentice with a contract of employment, outlining the terms and conditions of their job. This must be issued within 8 weeks of commencement of employment
• To provide each apprentice with an induction into the workplace, this should include all Health & Safety regulations specific to your industry
• To provide Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) as necessary
• To support the achievement of the qualification by ensuring the apprentice produces relevant work by set target dates
• Ensure the apprentice is provided with the time needed to attend day release training sessions and for tutor and training consultant visits if applicable
• Appoint a nominated supervisor to mentor the apprentice through their training

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How do I recruit an apprentice?

If you are interested in recruiting an apprentice please contact the Apprenticeship Department on 01256 306237. We will check our files and recommend suitable candidates for your consideration. If there are no suitable candidates held on file then we can assist by:

• Liaising with you to establish the type of person that you are looking for
• Advertising the vacancy free of charge on the National Apprenticeship Service vacancy website
• Screening any subsequent applicants to ensure that they qualify for an apprenticeship and match your criteria
• Provide you with a short list of suitable candidates

You are of course able to undertake your own recruitment activities, in both cases it is you the employer who makes the final decision in selection.

Apprenticeship Training Agency (ATA)

We can offer you a further option of flexible recruitment and employment of your apprentice through our partnership with Apprentices for Business. They provide a low risk, cost-effective alternative to employers whereby they employ the apprentice on your behalf, managing all payroll and HR functions; you simply get invoiced for the hours the apprentice works for you. To find out more about how this works download the leaflet here or contactinfo@apprenticesforbusiness.co.uk

To find out more about recruiting an apprentice, putting your existing staff through an apprenticeship programme or apprenticeships in general please contact us on 01256 306237 or email business@bcot.ac.uk

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Can I put my existing staff through an Apprenticeship Programme?

Yes. Apprenticeships are not only for school and college leavers seeking employment; your existing staff can also enjoy the benefits. Employers find that training their existing staff through an apprenticeship programme is much more cost effective due to the available funding for anyone under the age of 25 and more convenient because of the work-based learning element.

BCoT offer a wide range of apprenticeships that can be started at any point throughout the year, please contact the team to discuss in further detail.

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Are there any apprenticeship grants currently available?

Yes, there are currently 2 grants available:

An Apprenticeship grant of up to £2,500. If you are a company who is considering taking on an apprentice for the first time or creating an additional apprenticeship vacancy then you may be eligible for a grant of up to £2,500 to support your recruitment process.

The AGE 16 to 24 year olds (Apprenticeship Grant for Employers) is aimed at helping eligible employers to offer young people employment through the Apprenticeship programme, by providing wage grants to assist employers in recruiting their first apprentice.