Hiring an apprentice can help your business develop talent, improve productivity and future-proof your company’s workforce. It is also a great opportunity for you to reduce recruitment costs and have access to high-quality training and support.
Apprenticeships can be used to bridge the skills gap in your organisation. By recruiting and training apprentices, you can develop people in a way that promotes the specific skills required by your business and industry. Apprenticeships are particularly cost-effective as a form of training, because young people are making a contribution to the workplace while they are learning. You can also train existing employees to support their professional development.
Keighley College has a wide and varied apprenticeship offer, covering all industry sectors:
You and your apprentice will be introduced to an industry-skilled assessor. They will keep in contact with your apprentice on a regular basis throughout the apprenticeship, including monthly visits to your place of work. There will be an element of blended learning and they will support and guide your apprentice through 20% off-the-job training and monitor their progress.
Employers in England who hire a new apprentice between 1 April 2021 and January 31 2022 will receive £3,000 per new hire. This is in addition to the existing £1,000 payment the government provides for all new 16-18 year-old apprentices and those aged under 25 with an Education, Health and Care Plan, so there could be up to £4,000 in total funding available.
An apprentice can study at various levels, depending on the roles you are looking to fill.
Intermediate apprenticeships are allocated to junior roles within a company. These apprenticeships teach candidates who are new to the industry the basic skills and knowledge required to progress within their chosen career path. Examples of job roles include a beautician, maintenance engineer, premises manager, healthcare support worker and sewing machinist.
Advanced apprenticeships build on the skills and knowledge acquired from an intermediate apprenticeship. These apprenticeships begin to specialise the candidate’s knowledge of the industry and are suitable for those who have previously completed an apprenticeship or have been within their job role for some time. Examples of job roles at this level include a team leader, project officer, installation/maintenance electrician, aerospace technician, plumbing and domestic heating engineer.
Higher apprenticeships are for those within senior roles within a company who want to develop their skills further to progress. These apprenticeships are equivalent to completing a foundation degree or HND. Examples of job roles include a manufacturing production engineer, installation engineer, or test and commissioning engineer.
Degree or master’s degree apprenticeships are for those who want to be a specialist within their field and hold a senior position within a company (such as senior management or technical specialist). These apprenticeships usually involve the undertaking of an under/postgraduate qualification. Examples of job roles include a managing director, laboratory scientist or HE lecturer.
Nathan Varley
Metalcraft Europe Group
Paul Birtles
Operations Director
