Employers Guide to Apprenticeships
The perfect way to recruit and develop young staff
What's an Apprenticeship?
Apprenticeships are nationally designed training programmes for individuals aged 16 and over who have left full-time education and are in employment.
Unlike in the past where an Apprenticeship was only available to young people aged 16 to 24, recent government changes now permits individuals of any age from 16 upwards to take advantage of the programme, so there's no better time to start learning!
They offer people the opportunity to learn on the job with their employer, building up knowledge and skills, gaining qualifications and earning money at the same time.
The programme itself is made up of a framework of qualifications including the main award (NVQ), a Technical Certificate, and Key Skills (English and Maths, when required). This in itself provides a complete package of support tailored specifically to the needs of your member of staff.
How can the Apprenticeship Programme help reduce my staffing costs, and increase productivity?
There are many benefits to employing and Apprentice. First and foremost, as an employer you will have the confidence in knowing your staff are being trained to the highest standards and in the most up to date practices, focussing on the development of skills required within their particular role. This in itself will assist their effectiveness within your organisation.
Secondly, employers can also benefit from being able to offer the 'Training Wage' - an agreed minimum wage for employees on the government funded Apprenticeship Scheme. The option of the training wage provides organisations the flexibility to address their staffing needs, and the opportunity to develop young employees to become highly skilled and valued members of their business.
Thirdly, the Apprenticeship Programme itself is FULLY FUNDED by the Government so you will incur no cost at all for your staff training. Employers may however be asked to make a small contribution towards training materials for learners aged 19 and over due to reduced Government training subsidies.
Fully personalised programmes - Create your own staff training programmes
With your input, we will ensure the training provided is always the most appropriate to the employee's role. By allowing the persons day to day duities to be used towards their qualification, we can ensure the most beneficial training to your employee, with minimal disruption to you, the employer.
The 'Pick and Mix' approach to the selection of suitable elements within the qualification allows employers to create their own bespoke training package, matching the qualification to the individuals role - creating a personalised training package that can be delivered in conjunction with your own company training scheme.
Where will the trianing take place?
Unlike classroom led trianing programmes, all training and assessment is carried out in the work place. Furthermore, because the training is always relevant to the employees role, ther day to day duties are used to support their qualification, allowing minimal disruption to you, the employer.
At LAGAT, we actively encourage our employers to become part of the programme. We will keep you fully imformed of your employees progress towards the qualification, through the active participation in monthly visits with your own dedicated Trianing Officer, through to quarterly progression reviews.
Interested in recruiting a young person? LAGAT can help!
LAGAT also offer a free recruitment service to employers looking to recruit members of staff. As an approved training and recruitment organisation, we have a database of suitable candidates looking specifically for Apprenticeship opportunities with local employers.
As part of our service, we are able to promote your vacancy, interview and perform and initial selection for you of suitable candidates, removing the need for costly advertising and timely CV sifting. Furthermore, all our candidates are interviewed and skills tested, so you can be sure of calibre of candiate submitted to you.
