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.

Key facts

• 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 £2.73 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.

To discuss your recruitment needs, contact The Jobs Hub on 01234 223510 or email the.jobshub@bedford.gov.uk to access our Free Job Brokerage Service.