Apprenticeships
What are
Apprenticeships?
Apprenticeships are work-based training programmes designed
around the needs of employers, which lead to nationally
recognised qualifications. You can use Apprenticeships to train
both new and existing employees who are moving into a new or
changed job role and need to learn new skills. Funding is available
to train apprentices.
Apprenticeships are designed by the Sector Skills Councils,
while the National Apprenticeship Service helps to fund the
training. Business representatives from the relevant industry
sector work with the Sector Skills Councils to develop the course
content. Because they genuinely understand your business, the
training will be relevant for your industry.
Over 100,000 employers in over 160,000 workplaces offer
frameworks across a wide range of industry sectors. Depending on
the sector and job role an Apprenticeship can take anything between
one and four years to complete. It is a package of on-the-job
training and qualifications.
Facts in
numbers
- 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.
- The National Minimum Wage for apprentices
is £2.65 per hour. Many employers prefer to pay more however, and
research shows that the average salary is approx £170 per
week.
- Employers who take on a 16-18 year old
apprentice only pay their salary. The Government will fund their
training.
- There are more than 250 different
types of Apprenticeships available offering over 1,400 job
roles.
- 92% of employers who employ apprentices believe
that Apprenticeships lead to a more motivated and satisfied
workforce.
- 83% of employers who employ apprentices rely on
their Apprenticeships programme to provide the skilled workers that
they need for the future.
- One in five employers are hiring more
apprentices to help them through the tough economic climate.
To find out more about how Apprenticeships can benefit your
business, contact the National Apprenticeship Service on 08000
150 600 or see www.apprenticeships.org.uk/Employers.aspx.
To discuss your recruitment needs, contact Karen Conway
at The Jobs Hub on 01234 276326 or email Karen.Conway@bedford.gov.uk to
access our Free Job Brokerage Service.