Apprenticeships
Thinking about hiring or enrolling your staff on an apprenticeship? Not only will it benefit your business and employees, it could also be paid for with government funding. Read on to find out more.
Apprenticeships, the basics
An apprenticeship is a structured training programme that combines on-the-job experience with related study, allowing individuals to gain skills and knowledge in a specific field while earning a wage. You employees will be able to learn and develop practical and technical skills alongside theoretical learning.
Apprenticeships play a crucial role in today’s skills agenda. They help bridge the gap between education and employment, providing students with practical experience as well as enhancing their career prospects. According to a recent study, apprenticeships are effective in addressing the skills gap by offering hands-on training that aligns with industry needs (read more here: How apprenticeships can help close the skills gap | Acas). This real-world experience not only enhances CVs but also equips students with the confidence and competence needed to excel in their careers.
Apprenticeships ensure that all students have access to high quality training and career opportunities
Benefits of Apprenticeships
Encouraging staff to undertake apprenticeships as part of their CPD offers a range of strategic and practical benefits:
- Skills development aligned to strategic needs – apprenticeships offer structured training in topics such as leadership, business admin and sustainability. This leads to an increase capability in targeted areas.
- Cost effective – can be fully funded via the apprenticeship levy Pay Apprenticeship Levy – GOV.UK.
- Improved staff retention and motivation – investing in staff development increases morale, employee engagement and provides clear progression planning. Demonstrates commitment to staff growth. Offers a career progression route for staff without acquiring student debt.
- Leadership pipeline & succession planning – can help develop future leaders from within and supports talent retention
- Enhanced business performance – Apprenticeships help embed evidence-based practice which can directly improve your business and outcomes.
Read more about the benefits here: Understanding apprenticeship benefits and funding
Apprenticeship funding options
The current funding information can be found here: Apprenticeship funding – GOV.UK
Employer Apprenticeship Service account – Sign in to your apprenticeship service account – GOV.UK
Apprenticeships (your role as the employer)
As an employer, you will play a vital role in supporting apprentices throughout their training programme. Your responsibilities should include:
- Supporting with the completion of the initial skills scan
- Attending scheduled coaching sessions
- Ensuring apprentices have protected time to focus on their apprenticeship, with a minimum of six hours per week dedicated to Off-the-Job (OTJ) learning
- Supporting project work by choosing projects for your apprentice to work on, providing information to support and ensuring other colleagues are available to help them
- Offering constructive feedback to help apprentices progress
- Supplying witness statements and adding comments to reflective logs when required
- By actively engaging in the apprenticeship process, you help create a supportive learning environment that enables apprentices to gain valuable experience and successfully develop their skills.
Find out more about apprenticeships here: Hire an apprentice
Apprenticeships courses
We offer a range of apprenticeships in business, management and leadership. Some are specifically for schools, and some are for all sectors.
- Health and Social Care
Level 2 Foundation Apprenticeship Health and Social Care
- Education
Level 6 Chartered Manager Degree Apprenticeship for Schools (CMDA)
- Education
Level 4 School Business Professional Apprenticeship (SBPA)
- Business management and leadership