Will reforms affect me?
Different aspects of apprenticeships are changing at different times. As a provider of apprenticeship recruitment and training, we work closely with employers to help you understand the system and make apprenticeships work for you.
Where We Can Help
Application
We can help you from day one, taking the time to understand your business and work out the best way to start an apprenticeship. There are quite a few options, from working out how to get government funding, to selecting training providers. We’ve got the real world experience to help you make the right choice for your business.Initiation
When you know what you want, we help you get going. We provide an outstanding recruitment service, provide gap analysis for your business and provide mentoring to your team so everyone knows what to expect from the apprenticeship and how to get the most out of it.
Delivery
We keep in close contact with you and your apprentice throughout the apprenticeship. By providing pastoral support, as well as the classroom elements of the programme, we ensure you get the most out of your relationship.The Apprenticeship Levy
From April 2017
Employers with a wage bill of £3 million or more per year will pay The Apprenticeship Levy. This Levy will be used as a budget pool that must be spent on apprenticeships.
The Digital Apprenticeships Service
From April 2017
Levy paying employers will now access the apprenticeships service online. This new system will be how you set up your apprenticeship, choose training providers and administer funding. It’s also how levy paying employers will be able to access their apprenticeship allowance to spend on apprenticeship training for new recruits and existing staff members who can benefit from improving their current skills level by completing an apprenticeship. If you do not pay the levy, you won’t be able to use the DAS until at least 2018. Instead, you’ll need to agree a payment schedule with the provider and pay them directly for the training. The provider must prove that you have paid your contributions as a condition of government paying its contribution.
Frameworks are Changing to Standards
Phasing out from now until 2020
The national requirements that an apprentice must complete are changing. The existing “frameworks” which outline the qualifications and work experience of an apprenticeship programme are being slowly replaced with “Standards”. These will have slightly different specifications and are currently being developed by industry employer groups.
Who can apply?
Apprentices come from all sorts of backgrounds and many stages in life. There are no set entry requirements, they’re open to anyone over 16 living in England, not currently in full-time education.
Entry requirements are flexible because apprenticeships are not just based on academic achievement. What counts is your enthusiasm. If you want to make a difference and make real progress, you’re the sort of person we’re looking for.
Recent changes to apprenticeships mean you can still apply even if you already have a degree in some cases.
Still not sure an apprenticeship is right for you? In our experience, an apprenticeship can make a big difference for people from all sorts of backgrounds so it’s always worth a shot. Give us a ring for an honest chat about your situation.