Coronavirus
Updates: Colleges & Business Units | Commercial Outlets and Nurseries
Advice for: Students, Parents and Carers | College Applicants | Apprentices
Updates: Colleges & Business Units | Commercial Outlets and Nurseries
Advice for: Students, Parents and Carers | College Applicants | Apprentices
Apprenticeships are open to learners aged 16 and over and can be used to develop and upskill existing employees or attract new recruits to the organisation. Programmes will generally last between 15 months and four years and are available at Levels 2 to 7.
Apprenticeship Standards have been designed by industry employer-led groups to fully meet employer business needs and make sure apprentices are more highly skilled and productive in their role. There are a huge range of Apprenticeships available for every job role and industry. Each Apprenticeship Standard has been developed to recognise the skills of the industry and the type of knowledge and behaviour that is required of a competent and confident worker.
The Apprentice will be encouraged to develop their skills by tutors and apprenticeship trainers who are trained to impart their industry experience.
An Apprentice’s time is divided between working with their employer and undertaking training at college. All Apprentices must have a minimum of 20% of their paid time developing the knowledge, skills and behaviours outlined on their Apprenticeship Standard.
Each Apprenticeship programme is adapted to meet the needs of the Apprentice and to recognise any previous knowledge or experience they may have.
Apprenticeship Standards contain an independent End Point Assessment (EPA). This is undertaken once it is determined that the Apprentice has met all the knowledge, skills and behaviours contained within the standard. The content of an EPA will vary but generally includes a knowledge test, a skills assessment, and a professional discussion to determine competence.
Apprenticeships are an effective and affordable way to provide staff training. An Apprentice is an employee of your business and must have a contract of employment and be included on your PAYE scheme.
Apprentices should be employed for at least 30 hours per week.
You’re responsible for paying your apprentice for their normal working hours and any training they do as part of the Apprenticeship.
You must pay them at least the National Minimum Wage rate depending on their age and the year of Apprenticeship training they’re in.
The rates from April 2023 are:
|
Apprentice |
Under 19 |
19-20 |
21-22 |
23 and over |
|
In 1st year |
£5.28 |
£5.28 |
£5.28 |
£5.28 |
|
Have completed 1st year |
£5.28 |
£7.49 |
£10.18 |
£10.42 |
Employers may not need to pay Class 1 National Insurance contributions for an Apprentice, if the apprentice is:
• under 25 years old
• on an approved UK government apprenticeship standard
• earns less than £967 a week (£50,270 a year)
The Apprentice, as an employee, will continue to pay Class 1 insurance contributions through their salary, this will only benefit the employer.
Those with an annual wage bill of less than £3m do not pay the Apprenticeship Levy.
The Government will fund 100% of your Apprenticeship training costs if:
Your apprentice is aged 16-18 and you employ less than 50 staff or is aged 19 to 24 with an education, health and care plan provided by their local authority or has been in the care of their local authority
The government will fund 95% of your Apprenticeship training costs in all other instances. You will pay the remaining 5%.
Employers are also be eligible for a £1,000 incentive payment if the Apprentice is aged 16 – 18.
In order to access Apprenticeship funding you will need to create an Apprenticeship Service Account (digital account).
For more information and guidance on this service then please get in touch with our team. You can also view these videos for further information.
Large Levy-paying businesses who pay the Apprenticeship Levy can pledge up to 25% of their unspent Levy funds to a business of their choice.
You can apply to receive a transfer of funds to cover 100% of your Apprenticeship training and assessment costs.
For more information please visit the Government's Apprenticeships Service website.
Those with an annual wage bill of more than £3m pay into the Apprenticeship Levy via HMRC.
The Apprenticeship Levy was launched to encourage employers to use Apprenticeship programmes, either for new staff or to upskill an existing employee and to help reduce the skills gap within England’s workforce.
If your business is or is part of a large organisation with an overall pay bill in excess of £3 million p.a. you will be paying into the Apprenticeship Levy in which case we would like to discuss how we can assist you in making the most of using this fund to develop your teams.
Contact our expert team to discuss how you can make the most of the Levy on apprenticeships@eastkent.ac.uk or 01227 811315.
We provide Apprenticeship training in a wide range of subjects, from Finance, Business and Management, through to Construction Services, and Animal Care.
As an employer, finding people with the right skills is not always easy. Employing an Apprentice can be a great solution as they learn on the job, bring new skills and a fresh perspective to your business. Apprentice recruitment is an effective way of attracting new talent and makes a valuable contribution in providing the skilled workforce needed for the future
The process of hiring and looking after your Apprentice need not be daunting. Our Apprentice Recruitment Team understand that finding the right apprentice is important for each of our customers and we take great pride in the service we offer. Whether it’s for a single apprentice, or a multiple Apprenticeship vacancies campaign, we can help attract and recruit a new generation of top talent. Our free service offers multiple recruitment solutions all of which can be tailored to provide a bespoke service to meet each your needs.
Our team of experts will help and advise you throughout. You will be provided with a single point of contact who will guide you through the Apprenticeship recruitment process. They will take the time to understand your organisation, find the right training solution and undertake a recruitment campaign on your behalf. They will support you with accessing funding and incentives available to your organisation.
We will tailor Apprenticeship programmes to your requirements, giving you the flexibility to fully meet the needs of your business.
To speak to us today please contact us on 01227 811315 or via apprenticeships@eastkent.ac.uk
Apprenticeships are ideal for developing new knowledge, skills and behaviours for existing members of your teams.
To talk to us about choosing an apprenticeship programme please contact us and one of our experienced team will arrange to meet with you to discuss your options.
Contact our expert team for more information about Apprenticeships and how your business can benefit