Delight after positive response to National Apprenticeship Week

The Ladder has issued a thank you to everyone who contributed to making the week such a success including colleges, independent training providers, local authorities, career hubs and career services from across the Black Country.

Together with the West Midlands Combined Authority and West Midlands Mayor Andy Street they all gave time and support to champion the apprenticeship programme to students, parents and carers, teachers, and employers.

Apprentices also gave their views on the apprenticeship programmes they had completed or were following to encourage others to get involved in finding out about training opportunities.

At a time where there is doom and despondence it was uplifting to see and hear positive messages about career pathways.

As the region’s economy is looking to move forward over the coming months apprenticeships can play an important part in up-skilling the workforce to gain the new skills needed to ensure business remain effective, efficient and competitive.

Incentives

To support development and growth “last summer”, the government announced incentive payments for employers hiring new apprentices between August 2020 and March 2021 – £2,000 for apprentices between 16 and 24 and £1,500 for those over the age of 25.

The West Midlands Combined Authority have also offered the sharing of apprenticeship levy funds with small firms down supply chains making it affordable for smaller businesses to train apprentices.

Apprenticeships offer employees a way to increase their skill and knowledge making them adaptable and flexible in today’s workplace. Where people are looking to change career paths, apprenticeships offer them the opportunity to gain industry specific skills whilst applying transferable skills from a previous occupation. The apprenticeship programme also offers employees a pathway to high level qualifications, include degree apprenticeships, enabling staff to develop a strategic overview of a business, encouraging diversity in competitive markets.

Apprenticeships explained:

What are they?

An apprenticeship is a chance to earn and learn. Those aged 16 or over are trained for work, combining hands-on experience while studying, gaining qualifications and, importantly, getting paid. There are apprenticeships for more than 1,500 roles, from graphic design and floristry to construction, accounting, and social care. There is no upper age limit for training.

Who pays for them?

How businesses pay for apprenticeships depends on their size. Companies with a payroll of more than £3m a year pay the apprentices levy, a tax of 0.5% of their pay bill. Firms below the levy threshold pay 5% of training costs directly to the training provider; the government covers the rest. Small employers with fewer than 50 members of staff have all costs paid if they hire 16-18-year-olds.

What educational levels are they equivalent to?

Level 2 (Intermediate) – GCSE

Level 3 (Advanced) – A-level

Levels 4, 5, 6 & 7 (Higher) – foundation degree and above

Levels 6 & 7 (Degree) – bachelor’s or master’s degree

How long do they take?

A full-time apprenticeship involves working 30 hours a week, plus one day of study – at university, college, or online. Most apprenticeships will take between one and four years to complete, depending on the level of the apprenticeship, the student’s abilities and the industry.

How much do they pay?

Apprentices are entitled to the national minimum wage, which starts at £4.15 and rises to £8.72 an hour, depending on your age and year of apprenticeship. However, many employers offer more than the minimum.