Apprenticeships – How your business will benefit

Your business will benefit in many ways. Apprentices train to nationally recognised standards while they deliver the skills you need in your business. The training can be tailored to your business needs to improve employee performance and motivation, while helping to ensure high productivity and the competitiveness of your business.

The most frequently cited benefits by employers are that Apprenticeships:

• help to retain employees;
• improve the performance of existing staff;
• enable staff to obtain a recognised qualification;
• combat the impact of an ageing workforce;
• help instil company values and good practice amongst employees; and
• reduce training costs and help in sourcing good quality training providers

(Source: Mercia Research and Strategy April 2006)

How much will it cost?

• The Learning and Skills Council (LSC) funds the training costs for Apprenticeships, through a training provider.
• The amount of funding provided by the LSC depends on the age of the apprentice and the qualification you agree they should gain.

Costs to you

• You need to pay the apprentice’s wages and any other related contributions, such as National Insurance.
• You need to provide staff time to support the apprentice in the workplace, and to liaise with the training provider.
• The apprentice will need time off to attend courses or training within normal working hours.
• Employers are required to ensure full-time employed apprentices receive at least £80 per week on starting work-based learning. It is strongly recommended apprentices receive incremental rises based on competence, achievement and productivity to the organisation.

If you are interested in finding out more about apprenticeships please contact your local Connexions West of England centre.

Alternatively, if you have an apprenticeship ready to advertise now, go to
External link: www.apprenticeshipsonline.co.uk

We can:

• help you find local training providers specialising in your area of business;
• help you find a suitable applicant for any new vacancy, free of charge, by promoting your vacancy through our website;
• give you and the apprentice support once they start work; and
• help you find other ways of training and upskilling your staff.