Hire an Apprentice
We deliver high quality apprenticeship training, supporting our apprentices with expert tutoring for a variety of technically skilled occupations.
Our Work Based Learning team works collaboratively with employers throughout the region to foster long-term relationships and support both learner development and business growth and prosperity.
What is an Apprenticeship?
Apprenticeships are open to anyone regardless of age (16+).
Apprenticeships are work-based training programmes that are available from GCSE equivalent up to degree level.
They’re open to new and existing employees and enable you to train your workforce to meet the current and future needs of your business.
An apprentice will spend the majority of their time working in your business carrying out on-the-job training. They should also be given time to complete coursework, either in college on day release or delivery in the workplace.
College-based learning allows the apprentice to develop their subject knowledge and maths and English skills. On-the-job training allows them to gain practical experience and build skills needed for their chosen career path.
An apprentice will have a dedicated assessor who will come out to your business to assess the apprentice. The assessor will also work with you to ensure you’re getting the best out of the apprentice.
Our Apprenticeship Hub is a dedicated one-stop-shop for employers and apprentice applicants, supporting the local and wider community. The Apprenticeship Hub works with a vast range of employers across Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, Shropshire and South Cheshire to support with the recruitment of apprentices in a variety of roles and sectors
What are the benefits of apprenticeships?
Apprenticeships are an exciting option for both apprentice and employer - you can hire someone new or upskill an existing employee. Hiring an apprentice is a productive and effective way to grow talent and develop a motivated, skilled and qualified workforce. Other benefits of working with apprentices include:
- Save on recruitment costs
- Diversification across teams
- Increased retention rates and staff satisfaction
- Improve talent acquisition
- Help with the skills shortage
- Introduce industry-leading skills and practices
What is the Apprenticeship Levy?
- The levy is designed to put apprenticeship funding in the hands of employers and encourage them to invest in apprenticeships.
- Regardless of sector, if your company’s wage bill is £3million or more, you will be required to pay 0.5% of your pay bill to fund the levy. The government is providing an apprenticeship levy allowance of £15,000 for employers who are not connected to another company or charity.
Example: An employer with an annual pay bill of £5 million:
Levy sum: 0.5% x £5,000,000 = £25,000
Allowance: £25,000 - £15,000 allowance = £10,000 annual payment
- The levy is paid into a digital account held by government to help fund the training of apprentices in your organisation.
- Levy contributions are made monthly, and the government also apply a 10% top up to employer’s accounts.
- Further details on funding an apprenticeship for non-levy paying businesses can be found here.
We can help take away some of the confusion about what funding and incentives you may be eligible for. Please get in touch with our Apprenticeship Hub Team who can help you every step of the way.