What is an apprenticeship?

An apprenticeship is an on-the-job training programme that develops an employee's competence in the key skills they need to perform in their job. The training is designed to be flexible and meet the needs of each individual, building on their strengths and identifying any areas for improvement. This apprenticeship programme involves 121 discussions, practical demonstrations, assignment work, on-the-job assessments, online learning, as well as formal taught sessions and workshops. Apprenticeships are increasingly recognised as the gold standard for work-based training and include qualifications that have been co-developed with employers and employer bodies, to ensure their relevance to the sector and to help to address the UK's skills shortage areas.

What are the benefits of the apprenticeship to the University and my team?

Skills shortages and staff retention are still among the biggest risks to UK businesses. Apprenticeships can help businesses across all industries by offering a cost effective route to invest in workforce development and to attract fresh talent. If you have trained staff with the right skills for the job, they can do a wider range of tasks and take on new responsibilities - this can help to reduce skill shortages, minimise staff turnover, improve your student experience and increase productivity.

Over 130,000 businesses across the UK currently offer apprenticeship training to their employees, with 20% of employers hiring more apprentices to help them through the tough economic climate. 96% of employers that take on an apprentice report benefits to their business and 70% of employers report higher productivity and improved quality of products and services.

Are apprenticeships only applicable to new recruits?

No, apprenticeship training can be accessed by both new recruits and existing staff to improve their skills and performance.

How long does an apprenticeship programme last?

This will vary, depending on the type and level of the apprenticeship. An apprenticeship must last a minimum of 12 months. The Coaching Professional Apprenticeship lasts 14 months for staff who work 30 hours per week or more. For staff who work fewer than 30 hours per week, the programme lasts 16-22 months depending on their contractual hours.

Is there a limit to the number of apprentices an employer can have?

No, employers can take on as many apprentices as they can support.

What support do I need to provide to an apprentice?

As a member of your workforce, the apprentice will follow your normal HR policies and procedures, and will require access to the normal company induction and line management structures. They will be assigned to a training advisor, who will usually meet with them once a month during working hours, to review progress, coach and support the apprentice, and set new tasks for the month ahead, ensuring that they are making good progress against the required standards. It’s also important that your apprentice receives regular feedback from their line manager, in order for them to improve and implement their skills effectively in the workplace. They will also attend regular skills workshops on average once a month .

Who pays for the training?

Currently, for large employers, the funding is provided through an apprenticeship levy, which was introduced in April 2017. The levy is paid to HMRC through the Pay-As-You-Earn (PAYE) process, alongside payment of Income Tax and National Insurance contributions, and is held in a 'digital fund' that employers can use to pay for apprenticeship training.