APPRENTICESHIPSAN EMPLOYER’S GUIDE TO

Helping to make apprenticeships a key part of your recruitment and training strategy, driving the success and competitiveness of your business.

CONTENTS OF THIS GUIDE PAGE

Why choose New College? 2

Apprenticeships we offer 3

What are apprenticeships? 4

Benefits to your business 5

What does an apprenticeship involve? 7-9

The Apprenticeship Levy 11

Additional incentives for employers 12

FAQs 13

Next Steps 14

Proud to be working with1

Our programmes have been developed to provide a structured progression route for developing talent within your organisation.

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Dedicated account management

A thorough training needs analysis

Help to advertise your vacancies

We pre-screen and shortlist candidates

based on your specifications

We assist you in the completion of any

paperwork and funding applications

Complete support throughout the apprenticeship

programme

Why choose New College as your training provider?

01793 732883 | apprenticeships@newcollege.ac.uk

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We offer apprenticeships in...

Accounting Business Administration

Customer Service

Sales Team Leading Management

Human Resources

Paralegal Digital Marketing Data Analyst

SoftwareDevelopment

Infrastructure Technician Network Engineer

Cyber Security LaboratoryTechnician Childcare

Early Years Health andSocial Care

Supporting Teaching and Learning

What are apprenticeships?An apprenticeship is a genuine job with an accompanying assessment and skills development programme. It is a way for individuals to earn while they learn, gaining valuable skills and knowledge in a specific job role. The apprentice gains this through a mix of assessments in the workplace, formal off-the-job training and the opportunity to practise new skills in a real work environment.

Apprenticeships provide you with a cost-effective means of delivering industry training to both new and existing employees; with a proven track record of increasing employee retention, productivity and reducing the skills gap.

DURATIONApprenticeships must last for at least a year. They can last up to 5 years depending on the level and the needs of the employer/apprentice.

SALARIESEvery apprentice must be an employee on the first day of their apprenticeship and be paid a lawful wage for the time they are in work and in off-the-job training.

The National Minimum Wage for apprentices is £3.90 with effect from 1st April 2019; this rate usually changes each year although many employers tend to pay more than this. This rate is for apprentices aged 16-18 and those aged 19 or over who are in their first year. All other apprentices are entitled to the National Minimum Wage for their age, after completing 12 months of apprenticeship training.

LEVELSApprenticeship programmes are designed to compliment different career pathways, providing training and qualifications from GCSE Ievel right up to degree level.

(GCSE LEVEL) (GCSE LEVEL) (A LEVEL)Traineeship Level 2 Level 3 Level 4 Level 5 Level 6 Level 7

DEGREE APPRENTICESHIPS

ADVANCED APPRENTICESHIPS

INTERMEDIATE APPRENTICESHIPS

HIGHER APPRENTICESHIPS

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COST EFFECTIVE RECRUITMENT OF NEW TALENTBring in fresh new talent and help fill any skills gaps whilst shaping their learning around the working practices and needs of your organisation.

UPSKILL EXISTING EMPLOYEESApprenticeships are for any learner aged 16+ and are offered at Level 2 through to degree-level. This makes them a great way to develop employees throughout your organisation.

IMPROVED STAFF RETENTIONInvesting in the development of your own staff will result in a motivated and ambitious workforce, helping to improve retention of key skills and experience.

INCREASED QUALITY AND PRODUCTIVITYEmployers who have an established apprenticeship programme reported that productivity in their workplace had improved by 76% whilst 75% reported that apprenticeships improved the quality of their product or service.*

YOU’RE PAYING FOR APPRENTICESHIPS ANYWAY SO YOU MIGHT AS WELL BENEFIT FROM THEM!If your wage bill is in excess of £3 million then you’ll be contributing to the Apprenticeship levy. The way to reclaim this is through the hiring of apprentices so it’s a case of use it or lose it. You can also give 25% of your levy money to your supply chain to use on Apprenticeships.

Benefits to your business

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* Source: Education and Skills Funding Agency 2017

6“We wanted to open our doors to the

next generation of hospitality employees. We would highly recommend working with

New College. The calibre of student,

professional attitude and drive to grow and learn has made our New College Apprentice a real pleasure to

work with.”

CHARLOTTEGRACE

CRICKLADE HOUSE HOTEL

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What does an apprenticeship involve?Apprenticeships are made up of either Standards or Frameworks. By the end of 2020 standards will replace all frameworks.

Frameworks are written by awarding bodies and are qualification led with a mixture of competence and theory.

Standards have been written by employers and experts in their industry,They contain a list of the skills, knowledge and behaviours that demonstrate competence in a particular occupation. The apprentice is assessed at the end, to prove that they can carry out all aspects of their job.

Qualification (Optional)As part of the move from frameworks to standards, a qualification is no longer a mandatory element of an apprenticeship programme. However, where we feel a suitable qualification aligns with the standard we have included it in the apprenticeship programme. We feel this gives added value

to both the employer and learner, providing a sound structure for delivery and ensuring that apprentices achieve high-quality, transferable outcomes.

Functional skills (Maths, English and ICT at Level 2)If an apprentice has not already achieved GCSE 9-4 (A*-C), they will be required to take these as part of the programme.

Knowledge, skills and behavioursThese are the knowledge, skills and behaviours that are required for an individual to be fully competent in the particular occupation.

End-Point Assessment (EPA)Replaces the existing model of continuous assessment resulting in qualifications. The assessment organisation and the assessor must be independent of, and separate from, the training provider and employer.

Off-the-job trainingAll Apprentices have to have a minimum of 20% off-the-job training.

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OFF -THE-JOB TRAINING

All Apprentices have to have a minimum of 20% off-the-job training which needs to be completed within working hours. If training must, by exemption, take place in an evening, or outside of contracted hours, we would expect this to be recognised (for example, through time off in lieu). Below are some examples of what can be counted towards the 20%.

ACTIVITY EXAMPLES OF VALID OFF-THE-JOB TRAININGClassroom sessions / Lectures Block or day release

Workshops and masterclasses lnteractive workshops involving employers

Simulation exercises Business models and gaming

Online learningOnline training modules and supportmaterials

Shadowing ln work or new departments / locations

Coaching Support from Line Managers / colleagues

lndustry visits Within sector or outside of the work roles

Writing assessments / assignments workbooks

Short exercises or long project reports

Numeracy and literacy training required to perform the job

English and Maths related to the job role

Preparing for professional discussion ln support of portfolio work or job related

Gathering evidence for portfolio of evidence

Recording learning and training

20%

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Employer’s role• To help apprentices develop their

knowledge and skills by providing a wide range of learning and training opportunities

• Train them in the health and safety of your workplace

• Explain your company policies and procedures

• Provide your apprentice with Terms and Conditions of Employment, contract and job description

• Provide apprentices with full information about the job which they will be doing

• Introduce apprentices to the people they will work with and their supervisor

• Provide the apprentice with a mentor

• Allow apprentices to attend off-the-job training sessions equating to 20% of their whole training programme

• Help apprentices put into practice what they have learnt

• Initiate a meeting with us if you have any concerns about any aspect of the delivery.

10“An apprenticeship

was the right choice for me as you experience working in the

specific industry you wish to excel in. New College was the only

training provider in Swindon to have Level 4 Accounting

(AAT) as an Apprenticeship.

It is the best way forward to me, to achieve the best

for my future working life.”

MICHAEL PRINZI

TRAVELPORT LTD

Is your annual payroll bill in excess of £3m per annum?The Apprenticeship Levy

Total levy payment = 0.5% of your total payroll bill (less a £15,000 levy allowance).

The government will apply a 10% top-up to your levy fund each month.

You then receive the same amount back in the form of digital vouchers and pay 100% of the cost of the apprenticeship(s).

Register for an account on the Apprenticeship Service (AS)

An online tool where levy paying employers can:

• Choose the apprenticeship framework/standard

• Choose the training provider(s)• Choose an assessment organisation• Post apprenticeship vacancies• Track the funding you have spent

and have available• Set the price agreed with their

chosen provider• Pay for the apprenticeship training

and assessment.

You do not have to pay anything towards the Apprenticeship Levy.

Instead, you will use the ‘Co-Investment Scheme’ to pay for your apprenticeship.

You will only have to pay 5% and the government will pay the other 95%.

You do not need to register for an Apprenticeship Service account. All arrangements are made directly with the training provider.

Instead, choose your training provider(s) and work with them to:

• Choose the apprenticeship framework/standard

• Agree a price for the apprenticeship training and assessment.

YES NO

IMPORTANT: Funds can only be spent with registered training providers and only on the actual apprenticeship training. It cannot be used to pay for costs such as salaries, travel or additional internal training.

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Employer IncentivesYou could be eligible for further funding and incentives depending on you and/or your apprentice’s circumstances. Our experienced account managers will work with you to make sure that you take advantage of any additional funding opportunities available. For example:

£1,000 IncentiveAll employers will receive an incentive

payment of £1,000 for employing a 16-18 year old or for a learner, aged 19-24, with an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHC).

Under 50 employeesIn addition, if you have less than 50 employees and you employ an apprentice aged 16-18 years old or aged 19-24 with an EHC, then the apprenticeship is fully funded by the government.

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FAQsHow will the levy be collected? Monthly, through the employer’s Pay As You Earn (PAYE) bill and is payable alongside income tax and national insurance.

What if I don’t want to employ apprentices, do I get my money back? Use it or lose it! - If you don’t use the money in your digital account within 2 years, your money will become available for other companies to spend.

Can I give any of my levy money to my supply chain? Yes, you can give 25% of your levy money to your supply chain to use on Apprenticeships.

What if I use up my levy funding? If your funds aren’t enough to cover the full cost of the apprenticeship training and assessment, then the government will provide support to meet the additional costs, using the same rate of co-investment as for employers who don’t pay the levy (Employer pays 5%, government pays 95%).

How can I see what apprenticeship standards are approved for delivery?Visit www.instituteforapprenticeships.org

How much will an apprenticeship cost and can I afford them? Each apprenticeship has been placed into one of 30 funding bands ranging from £1,500 to £27,000. These bands determine the maximum amount that can be spent on each apprenticeship.

Are there any age restrictions for an apprentice? Apprenticeships are available to anyone over the age of 16. Depending on the age of the apprentice, there may be different funding and incentives available.

Can a graduate start an apprenticeship?Yes if the apprenticeship is in a different subject area to their degree.

How often do apprentices attend college or training sessions? This varies from programme to programme. Some of the training can be in the work place and other sessions could be in college or with a learning provider. For most programmes this will be 1 day a week.

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Next stepsGet in touch for an informal chat with a member of our Apprenticeships team.

Choose the appropriate apprenticeship/level and decide if you want to upskill an existing employee or recruit someone new to the role.

Set-up an account on the Apprenticeship Service (If Levy paying).

Choose us as your training provider, choose your end-point assessor and agree a price.

Check what funding is available to you.

Advertise your apprenticeship (If recruiting someone new to the role).

Employ your apprentice!

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Contact our Apprenticeships Team today!Call: 01793 732883 Email: apprenticeships@newcollege.ac.uk

01793 732883