Apprenticeships

Apprenticeships

An apprenticeship gives you the real work experience you need to succeed, with an employer, in a job with a salary and the opportunity to gain qualifications while you work – even a degree. All of this with a local, national or global employer.

Apprenticeship Information for Business​

Apprenticeship Information for You

Apprenticeship Information for Business

What is an Apprenticeship?

Apprenticeships are real jobs.

Apprenticeships are a work-based programme with a skills development plan and assessments. It combines hands-on work with recognised training. Employers can hire a new employee as an Apprentice or grow talent with current employees.

Apprentices normally work a minimum of 30 hours a week, 20% of the apprentice’s time will be spent completing off-the-job training (usually one day a week) at a College, University, Training Provider or on site. They have the same rights as all employees so are paid, get sick pay and annual leave.

Apprentices will be working towards qualifications from level 2 -7 (education equivalent – GCSE to master’s degree).

Apprenticeships must last one year but can be up to 5 years for some qualifications.

Apprentices are paid at least minimum wage. You can pay pay more than this. 

Pay is dependent on the industry, location and type of apprenticeship.

For more information on minimum wage please see:
https://www.gov.uk/national-minimum-wage-rates
https://www.gov.uk/apprenticeships-guide/pay-and-conditions

Many businesses employ apprentices, small employers with less than 10 employees, all the way up to large multi-national and global companies based in England.

Apprenticeships are available in many industries from A to Z, from Accountancy through to Zoology.

Please get in touch with us – Contact us and see ‘Steps to Hiring an Apprentice

For more information, contact us.

Apprenticeships are real jobs.

Apprenticeships are a work-based programme with a skills development plan and assessments. It combines hands-on work with recognised training. Employers can hire a new employee as an Apprentice or grow talent with current employees.

Apprentices normally work a minimum of 30 hours a week, 20% of the apprentice’s time will be spent completing off-the-job training (usually one day a week) at a College, University, Training Provider or on site. They have the same rights as all employees so are paid, get sick pay and annual leave.

Apprentices will be working towards qualifications from level 2 -7 (education equivalent – GCSE to master’s degree).

Apprenticeships must last one year but can be up to 5 years for some qualifications.

Apprentices are paid at least minimum wage. You can pay pay more than this. 

Pay is dependent on the industry, location and type of apprenticeship.

For more information on minimum wage please see:
https://www.gov.uk/national-minimum-wage-rates
https://www.gov.uk/apprenticeships-guide/pay-and-conditions

Many businesses employ apprentices, small employers with less than 10 employees, all the way up to large multi-national and global companies based in England.

Apprenticeships are available in many industries from A to Z, from Accountancy through to Zoology.

Please get in touch with us – Contact us and see ‘Steps to Hiring an Apprentice

For more information, contact us.

Steps to Hiring an Apprentice

Contact us

Contact us to arrange an appointment telephone or face to face.  We will then take you through the following steps:

1 - EXPLORE AND FIND OUT

Explore the challenges that you face with recruitment and skills gaps within your organisation. Find out if the apprenticeship route is the right one for your business or if there is another skills solution needed

2 - DISCUSS SUITABLE APPRENTICESHIPS

Discuss the range and levels of Apprenticeships that are available and which may be most suitable.

3 - FIND OUT ABOUT TRAINING PROVISION

We will be able to let you know about the training provision available in the local area.

4 - FUNDING

We can explain to you how the funding works.

5 - INTRODUCTIONS

We can introduce you to a number of local colleges and or training providers who will then be able to talk to you in more detail about their individual delivery models and costs *these will vary between training providers.

6 - ADVERTISE YOUR VACANCY

The Training Provider or College will then help you to advertise your vacancy through the Find an apprenticeship website.

7 - TRAINING PLAN AND ANY INITIAL ASSESSMENTS

If an existing member of staff, the training organisation will talk both the employer and individual through the training plan and any initial assessments required.

8 - APPRENTICESHIP AGREEMENT AND COMMITMENT STATEMENT

Once you have selected your apprentice, make an apprenticeship agreement and commitment statement [gov.uk] with them.  Your Training Organisation can help with this.

9 - ONGOING SUPPORT

Through out your Apprenticeship and skills journey your chosen training provider will be on hand to offer support and advice.  At any time you can always get back in contact with us for free impartial advice and guidance. 

Benefits Apprentices can bring to your Business

  • Raise Staff Moral

    Boost loyalty and morale resulting in reduced staff turnover.

  • Reduce Staff Turnover

  • Part of your Recruitment Process

    Businesses are now using Traineeships as part of their recruitment process to find the best candidates for the role.

  • Match the skills of employees to the skills you need

  • Boost your business image

  • Increase Diversity

  • Working trial for potential member of staff

  • Create a learning culture within your business

  • Fill skills gaps

  • Cost effective resource

Costs for employers

Non Levy Payer

(pay bill of less than £3 million a year)

If you have pay bill of less than 3 million you are a Non Levy Payer.

The Government pay a minimum of 95% towards apprenticeship training and assessment costs are paid for by the government. 

You will be asked to pay up to 5% of these costs.

 You will pay your cash contribution directly to the provider.

For more information about the costs of supporting an Apprenticeship please contact us

Levy Payer

(pay bill of more than £3 million a year)

If you’re an employer with a pay bill over 3 million you will need to pay the Apprenticeship Levy

The Apprenticeship Levy allows employers to have control of their training. 

You will fix a price for each apprenticeship.

You report and pay your levy to HMRC through the PAYE process.

 An extra 10% is paid directly to employers’ apprenticeship accounts.

For more information about the costs of supporting an Apprenticeship please contact us

Videos

How do I get my apprentice off to the best start?

What support will the apprentice give us?

What support will I get?

Life at DCP as an apprentice