Apprenticeship Details and Facts

FACTS IN NUMBERS

Over 100,000 employers in over 160,000 workplaces offer Apprenticeship Frameworks across a wide range of industry sectors.

Over 80% of those employers who employ apprentices agree they make their workplace more productive.

81% of consumers favour using a company which takes on apprentices.

There are more than 200 different types of Apprenticeships available nationally offering over 1,200 job roles.

92% of employers who employ apprentices rely on their Apprenticeship programme to provide the skilled workers that they need for the future.

1 in 5 employers are hiring more apprentices to help them through the tough economic climate.

THE DETAILS

Levels

There are three levels of Apprenticeship available:

1 - Intermediate Level Apprenticeships
Apprentices work towards work-based learning qualifications such as a Level 2 Competence Qualification, Functional Skills and, in most cases, a relevant knowledge-based qualification.

2- Advanced Level Apprenticeships
Apprentices work towards work-based learning such as a Level 3 Competence Qualification, Functional Skills and, in most cases, a relevant knowledge-based qualification.

3- Higher Apprenticeships
Apprentices work towards work-based learning qualifications such as a Level 4 Competence Qualification, Functional Skills and, in some cases, a knowledge-based qualification such as a Foundation Degree.

Training and Employment

As Apprenticeships are work-based training programmes, most of the training is 'on-the-job' - at your premises. The rest can be provided by one of the Windsor Group colleges.

As the employer you must give your apprentices an induction into their role and provide on-the-job training. You are also responsible for paying your apprentices' wages.

Employment must be for at least 30 hours per week, except in the minority of circumstances where the Apprentice cannot complete the full 30 yours. In these cases employment must be for more than 16 hours per week.

Funding

Apprenticeship funding is available from colleges in The Windsor Group. The size of the contribution varies depending on your sector and the age of the candidate. If the apprentice is aged 16-18 years old, you will receive 100 per cent of the cost of the training; if they are 19-24 years old, you will receive up to 50%; if they are 25 year old or over you may only get a contribution depending on the sector and area in which you operate.

Wages for Apprentices

A National Minimum Wage for apprentices will be £2.60 per hour from 1 October 2011 and applies to time working and time spent training as part of the Apprenticeship. Employers must ensure that they are paying their apprentices at least the minimum wage. If an apprentice is on a higher wage, the employer must continue to pay that for the remainder of the training or until the apprentice becomes eligible for the full national minimum wage.

For a list of our Apprenticeship Frameworks click here