How do I recruit an apprentice?
Access Training offer a free recruitment service. The process is very straightforward:
• We will advertise the position for you according to your job description and person specification.
• We pre-screen candidates as they apply. Details of the most suitable candidates are then sent to you to select for interview.
• We arrange the interviews on your behalf at a date and time to suit you.
• You interview as you would normally and let us know your preferred candidate.
• The rest of your standard recruitment procedure would then follow i.e. sending an offer letter, taking references, arranging a DBS check etc.
How much should I pay my apprentice?
Apprentices are typically employed for a minimum of 30 hours per week. Apprentices may be employed for less than that (the duration of the apprenticeship is simply extended proportionately).
Apprentices aged 16-18 earn a minimum Apprenticeship wage of £5.28 per hour for the duration of their Apprenticeship programme.
Apprentices aged 19 and over can be paid the Apprenticeship wage for the first 12 months of their programme only. After that, they must be paid at least the National Minimum Wage appropriate to their age.
See https://www.gov.uk/national-minimum-wage-rates for details.
Does an apprenticeship always have to lead to a job?
No. The purpose of an Apprenticeship is to help train the workforce of today and tomorrow. Offering an apprenticeship doesn’t always have to lead to a job. However, if a permanent position is available, this is the preferred option.
For companies with more than 49 staff or those recruiting an Apprentice aged 19 or over, the total cost of training is dependent upon the Apprenticeship subject. For programmes with Access, the cost lies between £150 and £600 and is most often around £300.
100% funding is available to those companies employing fewer than 49 staff who take on an apprentice aged 16-18.
A £1,000 incentive payment is available to any company that recruits an Apprentice aged 16-18 (regardless of total number of staff). This is paid in two instalments: the first £500 at around month 4 and the second £500 after twelve months when the Apprentice successfully completes his or her Apprenticeship programme.
Do apprenticeships only apply to new staff?
No. In fact, many of our apprentices are existing members of existing staff who need new qualifications or skills to meet the changing demands of the business. There is also no age limit on apprenticeships.
We will happily guide you through how you might upskill your existing team through an apprenticeship.
Does an apprenticeship always involve day release?
No. Most of our Apprentices do not attend day release to college unless they opt to attend English and Maths Functional Skills classes.
Instead, the apprentice’s ‘off-the-job training’ can be undertaken at times to suit your business.
What does ‘off-the-job training’ mean?
Throughout the duration of their Apprenticeship programme, 20% of the Apprentice’s paid working hours must be spent learning things specifically relevant to their qualification and job role. This is what we refer to as ‘off-the-job training’ even though the training is often carried out at your premises.
Most companies allow their Apprentice 2-3 hours per week during their normal paid working hours to complete work / assignments / research etc. towards their Apprenticeship programme.
This is in addition to the time their mentor / supervisor spends teaching the Apprentice the company’s policies, procedures, duties etc. and supporting their development as well as the time our Trainer Assessors spend with the apprentice.
The off-the-job training must be directly relevant to the apprenticeship framework or standard and must teach new knowledge, skills and/or behaviours that will contribute to the successful achievement of an apprenticeship.
What counts as off-the-job training?
Off-the-job training includes:
• Work shadowing/ training/ mentoring
• Assignments/ knowledge questions
• Elements of our induction
• Elements of the employer induction
• Online learning
• Learning support from a trainer or colleague
• ICT if it is part of the framework
• End-point assessment (EPA) preparation
• Any training courses that link to the apprenticeship
• Research activities
Off-the-job training is a legal requirement of the apprenticeship. This will be discussed with you at the beginning of the apprenticeship programme and your Trainer Assessor will review it at every appointment.
How do I know if Access are a good provider?
5 key ways in which we can evidence our performance as a training provider:
1. Ofsted rate us as ‘Good’. See Access’ OFSTED inspection report from November 2015.
2. We’ve been rated in the top 5% of apprenticeship providers across England for client satisfaction, according to the Department for Education’s FE Choices Employer Satisfaction survey.
3. Our Learner achievement rates are consistently higher than the national average.
4. Praise from our Learners.
5. Praise from our Employers.
How do I know if Access Training is the right training provider for my child?
We take great pride in offering a supportive and caring learning environment. Read more about what your child can expect by choosing us as their training provider.
Are apprenticeships just for young people?
Certainly not! Apprenticeships can be undertaken by anyone aged 18 and above who is not currently in full-time education.
They can be undertaken by individuals in full-time employment providing they have the support of their employer.
How much would I be paid for my apprenticeship?
Apprenticeships are paid the National Minimum Wage for an Apprentice. Apprentices over the age of 19 who have completed their first year as an apprentice qualify for the National Minimum Wage.
More details on National Minimum Wage Rates is available here.
Does Access offer any alternatives to Sixth Form?
We recognise that staying on at school or moving to a 6th form college after GCSEs does not appeal to all learners.
Access offers full-time courses for those learners who are looking for smaller class numbers and a guaranteed family atmosphere. Read more about Full-time Courses at Access.
What happens at the end of an apprenticeship?
A sense of achievement for sure once you’ve achieved a nationally-recognised qualification! You may then decide to move on to the next level of your Apprenticeship, further or higher education, or benefit from accessing higher-paid roles open to qualified apprentices.