Benefits What is involved Types of Apprenticeships Page 2. Duration of an Apprenticeship Cost implications Employer Grants Page 3

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2 Contents Benefits What is involved Types of Apprenticeships Page 2 Duration of an Apprenticeship Cost implications Employer Grants Page 3 Contract of Employment Working Hours Holiday Entitlement Tax and National Insurance Contributions Page 4 The role of Blackpool and The Fylde College Off the job training Recruiting an Apprentice Arranging a visit Page 5 I have an Apprentice What are the next steps? Health and Safety Requirements Sickness and Statutory Sick Pay Page 6 Reviews and Assessments in the Workplace College Calendar Page 7 Contact Us Page 8 1

3 Apprenticeships provide the ideal means to train your workforce. Developed by industry and involving on-the-job training, leading to nationally recognised qualifications, they can make your organisation more effective, productive and competitive. Why take on an Apprentice? To address skills gaps directly To future proof your business by nurturing fresh talent To train staff in a way that aligns with your business needs To encourage internal progression and increased responsibility To develop staff loyalty and minimise staff turnover To develop expertise, reduce workplace accidents and increase productivity To generate cost savings through on-the-job training and government support What does an Apprenticeship involve? An Apprenticeship is generally made up of the following: A minimum of 30 hours per week paid employment A competency-based element (NVQ) A knowledge-based element (Technical Certificate) Transferable or functional skills (English, Mathematics & ICT) A module on employment rights and responsibilities A module on personal learning and thinking skills What types of Apprenticeships are there? Apprenticeships cover a wide variety of job roles across a range of industries. They generally fall into one of three categories: Apprenticeship equivalent to Level 2 (or GCSE) Advanced Apprenticeship equivalent to Level 3 (or A Levels) Higher Apprenticeship equivalent to a Foundation Degree : 2

4 How long does it take to complete? An Apprenticeship lasts a minimum of 1 year and 1 day. Depending on the skills level of the apprentice, the qualification being obtained and the industry sector, it could take up to three years to complete. For more information, visit: What are the cost implications? Rates of pay The National Minimum Wage for apprentices was introduced on 1 st October 2010, and is currently set at 2.73 per hour. This rate is for apprentices under 19 or those in their first year. Apprentices who are 19 or over and past their first year are entitled to the national minimum wage rate that applies to their age. You can of course choose to pay a higher amount but you must continue to pay it for the duration of the training or until your apprentice becomes eligible for a higher national minimum wage. Wages apply to time spent working and training, including time at College, as part of the Apprenticeship. For current information on the National Minimum Wage, please visit the Direct.Gov Website For further information visit: Employer Grants There are several funding initiatives in place to assist employers with the cost of training. They include: Employer Incentive (AGE 16 to 24) CITB Grant (For Construction Apprentices only, where the main nature of business is construction. Not available for Plumbing Apprentices) Wage Incentive Grant (Work Programme) 3

5 Do I have to provide a Contract of Employment? Yes, a Contract of Employment is an agreement between an employer and an employee which sets out their employment rights, responsibilities and duties. These are called the terms' of the contract. You and your Apprentice are bound to the employment contract until it ends (usually by giving notice) or until the terms are changed (usually in an agreement between you and your employee). Any employment related issues arising during the apprenticeship should be dealt with via the regulatory employer/ employee guidelines associated with any contract of employment. For information and advice on creating a Contract of Employment please visit the Direct.Gov Website What are the average working hours per week? An apprentice must be offered a minimum of 30 hours per week including time spent in college, to complete their Apprenticeship, however most apprentices are employed full-time. Exactly how many hours an apprentice is expected to work and what breaks they are entitled to will be determined as part of the Contract of Employment. Please note that a 16 or 17 year old cannot work more than 40 hours per week Do I have to give my Apprentice holidays? Yes, like other employees, apprentices must be given at least the statutory minimum equivalent of 5.6 weeks, or 28 days for a full time 5 day a week employee. This can include Bank Holidays which do not have to be given as paid leave. For further guidance please visit the Direct.Gov Website Do apprentices pay tax and national insurance? Like all employees aged over 16, apprentices must pay tax and national insurance on their income. For more information on National Insurance Contributions please visit the HMRC Website 4

6 What is B&FC s role? B&FC is responsible for an apprentice's off-the-job training. When you take on an apprentice we will appoint an Assessor, who will work with you to make sure that the training is well planned and you are kept informed of your Apprentice s progress. How often do apprentices have to do off the job training? Time spent off the job varies from programme to programme. Some of the training can take place in the workplace while other sessions may require attendance in College. Depending on the type of job being done or the elements of training being undertaken, College attendance could be one day a week or as a block release. In many cases, we can provide a student with a similar skill set to minimise the impact on productivity. I would like an Apprentice - What do I do now? B&FC is happy to help you in your search for a suitable Apprentice simply get in touch. We use the National Apprenticeship Service and our own website to advertise your vacancy; we can also shortlist and recruit suitable candidates to interview stage as well as provide advice about the various training options. If you already have an employee in mind for an apprenticeship we can advise you on a suitable training plan. Please bear in mind that to be eligible for an apprenticeship programme, candidates cannot hold a degree. Arrange a visit by one of the team If you wish, a member of our team will visit you to discuss your requirements and identify a suitable training option for your business. This service is free of charge and there is no obligation to proceed with any suggestions offered. 5

7 I have an Apprentice What are the next steps? Once you have taken on Apprentice or agreed to train an existing member of staff, the Apprenticeship Team will arrange to complete the Apprenticeship Sign Up/Enrolment and Health and Safety Appraisal, outlined below: Health and Safety Requirements It is primarily the responsibility of the employer to ensure a safe working environment exists by means of proper procedures, Health & Safety policies and risk assessments. Health & Safety applies not just to the staff, but to any members of the public on the property. Although the responsibility lies with the employer, the Apprenticeship Training Advisor will support and advise employers to ensure they meet all the criteria to satisfy the terms of the Health & Safety Appraisal. If you are in business either as a manager or self-employed, then you are responsible for the Health, Safety and wellbeing of yourself, your staff and your clients. The Skills Funding Agency, who fund Apprenticeships, insists that a Health & Safety appraisal is conducted by an experienced and qualified advocate of Blackpool & The Fylde College prior to any learner starting an Apprenticeship. The member of staff carrying out the appraisal will discuss the following: Employers Liability Insurance Certificate Public Liability Insurance Certificate Written Health & Safety policy (if 5 or more employees) Fire Risk Assessments First aid box Accident book Maintained Fire Extinguisher Completed Health & Safety at Work Act poster Relevant Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Written Risk Assessments including a Young Person s Risk Assessment (If you have any Apprentices under the age of 18 years) Full guidance is available on the HSE website Sickness and Statutory Sick Pay If an employee is sick for less than 4 days sick pay is at the discretion of the employer and should be stated in the Contract of Employment. If an employee is sick for more than 4 days the employee is entitled to claim SSP. SSP should be paid in the same way as wages, with records kept of payments made and dates of sickness lasting at least 4 consecutive days. Please see the following website for guidance: 6

8 Reviews and Assessments in the Workplace The Assessor will arrange and conduct a review within the workplace a minimum of every twelve weeks between the Apprentice, Employer and Assessor. They will work closely with the Apprentice s tutor to ensure relevant and smart targets are set and agreed between all parties. Work based assessments will also be completed to ensure competence in a professional work environment. Progress, attendance, punctuality, learning support needs, and the general welfare of the Apprentice is discussed and recorded. A copy of the review is provided to the Employer, the Assessor retains a copy to ensure all targets are met and a further copy is retained in the apprentice s personal file. If there are any areas of concern regarding the Apprentice s work commitment, attendance, punctuality, and conduct in the workplace, please notify the Apprenticeship Training Advisor or Assessor so that a review meeting can be organised to address any shortcomings. College Calendar 2014/2015 October Half Term Monday 27 th October to Friday 31 st October 2014 Christmas and New Year Break Monday 22 nd December Monday 5 th January 2015 February Half Term Monday 16 th February to Friday 20 th February 2015 Easter Break Monday 30 th April to Friday 10 th April 2015 Spring Bank Holiday Friday 22 nd May to Friday 29 th May

9 How do I find out more? More information about the Apprenticeship programme can be found at You can also contact our Employer Engagement Team on: Tel: EmployerEngagementTeam@blackpool.ac.uk 8

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