With the cost of going to university soaring, apprenticeships are booming as the government makes them an attractive alternative to higher education and the debt a degree incurs. Is your company able to offer an apprenticeship scheme?
Apprenticeship is a mix of learning on the job and formal tuition, allowing apprentices to gain a qualification along with experience, thus providing a solution to the vicious cycle of needing experience to get a job but not being able to get experience if you can’t get a job. There are certain rules and regulations surrounding taking on an apprentice that you must be aware of:
- You must pay your apprentice at least the minimum wage during their placement;
- They must learn job-specific skills.
- Studying for a work-based qualification during their working week is an obligation.
An apprenticeship can last from 1 to 4 years, depending on the level of qualification the apprentice is studying for. If you’d like to hire an apprentice, there are several steps to take:
- Choose an apprenticeships framework or standard for an apprenticeship in your industry and at a suitable level.
- Find a training organisation that offers apprenticeships for your industry to handle your apprentice’s training, qualification and assessment.
- Check you’re eligible for a grant and apply.
- Advertise your apprenticeship – your training organisation will do this for you through the ‘Find an Apprenticeship Service’.
- Select your apprentice and make an apprenticeship agreement with them.
Taking on an apprentice can bring young, enthusiastic talent to your company and is a win-win for both you and the apprentice.
If you need help and advice about taking on an apprentice, we have a wealth of experience. If you are looking for an apprenticeship place, then please see our Apprenticeship Pages.
