Important Information for Employers
Apprenticeships are no longer thought of as a route for the less academic.
The Government recognises the importance of apprenticeships, and they are no longer only considered just for those not suited for higher education. Apprenticeships offer a different way of learning for those who find the more adult approach to learning, alongside practical experience, a far more rewarding and successful way of completing further education.
Apprenticeships aren't just for new employees or young people. There is no upper age limit & existing employees who want to develop their skills or have moved to a different area of your business can also learn with an apprenticeship.
Fair access to apprenticeships for everyone is both morally right and economically sound. There can be real business benefits from investing in the development of a diverse workforce through an apprenticeship programme. Supporting non-traditional employees to succeed can in the short term require additional resources but can also bring significant long-term benefits.
HOW CAN WE HELP?
We can offer a full suite of support to employers including:
An initial training needs analysis to identify where your training gaps are, whether existing employees can fill them by taking on an apprenticeship or whether a new apprentice is the best option.
Getting to know you and your business so we can fully understand the type of employee you require.
Assisting in the recruitment of a new apprentice by advertising your positions on the government apprenticeship service portal and our own media.
Ensuring all necessary paperwork is complete.
Providing all off the job training, whilst advising on what on the job training is required.
Supporting the apprentice throughout their apprenticeship.
Regularly meeting with you to ensure the apprentice is making good progress
The Benefits
Grow Your Own Talent
Apprenticeships enable you to grow a motivated & qualified workforce as well as allowing you to freshen up & diversify your employees. 74% of employers said apprenticeships helped them improve the quality of their product or service.
Enhance Skills Your Company Needs
By learning on the job they'll pick up the skills needed for your organisation to succeed. You can adapt the training you offer to meet your organisation's needs. 86% of employers have said apprentices developed skills relevant to their organisation and 78% reported improved productivity.
Reduce Staff Turnover
Apprenticeships are great for upskilling your current employees. Giving someone the chance to do something new can help fill current gaps in your workforce's skills set as well as motivating them & giving them more reason to stay with your organisation. 90% of apprentices stay on once they've completed their apprenticeship.
Apprenticeship Funding
Your business can benefit from employing apprentices as they are real workers doing a real job. To get the best out of an apprentice, as with any employee, you need to invest time and effort into training. Using the apprenticeship route this can be fully funded with minimal or no cost to the company.
Apprenticeship Levy
This will only apply to employers with a pay bill in excess of £3million and will be charged at a rate of 0.05% of the employers pay bill. Each employer will have a levy allowance of £15,000 to spend on apprentice training. This is not a cash payment and cannot be used for any other training. To use this allowance please contact our team for details.
Non-Levy Paying Employers
If you are not eligible to pay the Apprenticeship Levy, then you will pay 5% towards the cost of training and assessing an apprentice. This cost will be made directly to us as the training provider & the government will cover the rest of the cost (95%) up to the agreed funding band maximum. Anything above the funding band maximum will need to be covered by yourselves.
Small Employer Co-Investment Waiver
To support smaller businesses with fewer than 50 employees, the government will invest the full 100% of the cost of apprenticeship training to support 16-21 year olds and for those aged 19-24 formerly in care or with a local authority education, health and care plan.
Additional Payments
There will be an extra £1,000 funding available to both yourself and your training provider if your apprentice meets the following criteria:
Is 16-18 years old.
Is 19-24 years old and has previously been in care or who has a local authority education, health and care plan.
This will be paid in two equal instalments throughout the apprenticeship at 3 months and 12 months and will also apply to small businesses with the co-investment waivered.
Recruitment Service
We offer a free recruitment services to employers who would go on to train their apprentices with us. Get in touch with us about available Apprenticeship position(s) in your setting. We’ll then add your vacancy to the National Apprenticeship Website in addition to other Valkyrie Support Services platforms to encourage a variety of applicants.
We will review applications and CVs to confirm each candidate’s eligibility for an apprenticeship, and then all suitable applicants will then be forwarded to employers to review and make the decision on the shortlist to follow up on.
The Redundancy Support Service for Apprentices
The Redundancy Support Service for Apprentices (ReSSA), launched by the Department for Education, provides clear, accessible advice and guidance to apprentices following redundancy, while supporting their next steps. It will help redundant apprentices to identify new apprenticeship and employment opportunities, and, where they are eligible, complete their current apprenticeship.
The Department for Education are asking if you would be able to support redundant apprentices by sharing details of any apprenticeship vacancies you have. Apprentices that have been made redundant may already have the valuable skills and experience that your organisation needs. They are eager to continue their apprenticeship, put their learning into practice and can give organisations a quick return on investment.
The service will share your vacancy details with redundant apprentices through the new vacancy sharing service. Suitable candidates will receive regular emails asking them to contact you directly using the details you supply.
If you would like to recruit a redundant apprentice or offer new apprenticeship opportunities, please visit Hiring an apprentice who has been made redundant or call 0800 015 0600 to find out more. You can also watch our YouTube video for more information.
If you are aware of any apprentices who have been made redundant please encourage them to visit Facing redundancy during your apprenticeship or call 0800 015 0400 to speak to an adviser.
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