Apprenticeships in the Care Sector

Good for BusinessRebecca Earl Employer Services Manager

“Learning through practise alongside and under the guidance of an expert practitioner is the most effective way, to transmit professional experience and skills from one generation to the next”

Dr Nyahn ‘rediscovering Apprenticeships’ Springer 2009

What are Apprenticeships for ?

Apprentices in the Care Sector

• 21 separate qualifications available within the Health Care Apprenticeship ranging from Care Assistants to maternity or radiotherapy support.

• Completion of the Advanced Apprenticeship will stand apprentices in good stead for progression onto Higher Education in subjects like nursing or midwifery and operating department practitioner roles in the care sector or management roles in Care homes.

• In 2009/10 there were 17,900 Health and Social Care Apprentices

• Employers with Apprenticeship programmes include: Allied Health Care Ltd, Barchester Health Care Ltd, Bupa Care Homes (cfh care) Ltd, Care Uk Ltd, Craegmoor, Housing 21, Nestor Primecare Services Ltd, NHS Blood and Transplant, Voyage Group Ltd

• The Government contributes towards funding. 16-18 year old Apprenticeships receive 100% subsidised training and the support (though at a decreased level) continues for those over 18.

The value of Apprenticeships

• 81% of consumers favour companies that employ apprentices

• 80% of those who employ apprentices agree that they make the workplace more productive.

• 88% of employers who employ apprentices believe that Apprenticeships lead to a more motivated and satisfied workforce.

• 83% of employers who employ apprentices rely on their Apprenticeships programme to provide the skilled workers that they need for the future

• 81% of apprentice employers say they make their businesses more productive

5

Apprenticeships in England

Funding from Government forTraining costs = 100% age 16-18Training costs = 50% age 19+*

The apprentice’s wages are paid by their employer

Each apprentice must have an employer and be paid.

About 130,000 workplaces in England have apprentices

Each apprentice must have a registered training provider (which can also be their employer)

There are 1,100 providers in England

Government funded apprentices must study one of 200 Apprenticeship ‘qualification framework’ areas.

Frameworks are currently at levels 2, 3, or 4

* Up to a maximum of 50%

6

The National Apprenticeship Service

• Founded in April 2009 to offer support to all parties

• Helps create new Apprenticeship markets

• Provides support to employers interested in starting Apprenticeship programmes (30,000 since its inception)

• Informs individuals, stakeholders and partners about Apprenticeships

• Develops new internet based tools and guides apprenticeships.org.uk

• Oversees the growth of the Apprenticeship programme and monitors quality

Recruitment Support

The National Apprenticeship Service supports you every step of the way

Call 08000 150 600 or fill in our online enquiry form

1 Our Apprenticeship representative will call to discuss your specific needs

2 We will help you identify a suitable training provider

3 You confirm the number of current employees and new recruits you want to start an Apprenticeship

4 Start the recruitment process. Vacancies are advertised on the Apprenticeship website, where suitable applicants can apply

5 You choose your ideal candidates and then your apprentices start

Apprenticeship vacancies

The National Apprenticeship Service supports employers every step of the

way.

“Apprenticeship vacancies is a fantastic idea. As well as providing a free

recruitment service for employers, it is very straightforward to use. It gives

people the opportunity to search and apply for local, regional and national

vacancies. On top of that it gives employers a vast database of interested

candidates to tap into.”

Paul Livingston, Guardian Marine Testing

Myth Busting

“Apprenticeships are only for young people”

There is no upper age limit for apprentices.

“Apprenticeships are only for new members of staff”

Whilst apprenticeship are a great way of recruiting new staff, existing

members of staff can also train as an apprentice.

“Those aged under 18 can’t work in the care sector”

Young people aged under 16 and 17 can work in the care sector

Young people aged 16-18 working towards an apprenticeship can provide

personal care

Myth Busting Cont’d

“Apprentices will need a lot of off site training”

Apprenticeships are a mixture of on and off site training, but the majority of

training will take place in the work place. Training providers will advise you

on the best delivery model for your business that is flexible and meets the

needs of the employer and the apprentice.

“Apprenticeships are only for Care Assistants”

There are a number of pathways with in the Health and Social Care

frameworks suit different job roles in the care sector, as well as other

frameworks that will be suitable for other staff working in the sector.

Health and Social Care Apprenticeship Framework

Apprenticeship (level 2)

Competence based element

• Level 2 Diploma in Health and Social Care

Underpinning knowledge

• Certificate in Preparing to work in Adult Social Care (L2)

Or

• Certificate in Working in the Health Sector (L2)

Functional/Key Skills

• Application of Number and Communication

OR

• Mathematics and English

Health and Social Care Apprenticeship Framework

Advanced Apprenticeship (level 3)

Competence based element

• Level 3 Diploma in Health and Social Care

Underpinning knowledge

• Certificate in Preparing to work in Adult Social Care (L3)

Or

• Certificate in Working in the Health Sector (L3)

Functional/Key Skills

• Application of Number and Communication

OR

• Mathematics and English

Other Apprenticeship Frameworks by Job Roles

Administrative Support

Business Administration, Accountancy/Payroll, IT User, Marketing and

Communications

Catering Assistants/ Cooks

Food and Drink Service, Professional Cookery, Food Preparation and

Cooking

Housekeeper

Housekeeping, Cleaning and Support services

Grounds person

Amenity Horticulture

Management

Team leading and Management

Eligibility

Apprenticeships are open to all age ranges, however if you want to attract any government subsidy then you will need to meet eligibility criteria:

• Must be employed with a contract of employment

• It can be a new recruit or an existing member of your staff;

• Funding subsidy is attached to two age ranges

• Graduates are not eligible

• Minimum of 30 hours (will consider part time if they can complete the framework in the hours worked)

How much does it Cost?

Apprenticeship wages

• The minimum wage for an apprentice is £2.50 per hour

• This is a minimum and most apprentices receive more than this the average pay for an apprentice is £170 per week

• Recommend a pay structure that increases as the apprentice progresses reflecting their growing experience and contribution to the business

• If the apprentice is aged 19 or over that must be paid the National Minimum wage after completing the first year of their apprenticeship

Training costs

• Training for 16-18 year olds is fully funded

• Training for 19+ apprentice is co-funded and there will be an expected employer contribution which is set be the training provider

Contact

Rebecca Earl

Employer Services Manager – Yorkshire and the Humber

rebecca.earl@apprenticeships.gov.uk

Tel: 07795811956