Considering Apprenticeships?

Our Apprenticeship Team are available to discuss apprenticeship training and answer any questions you have.

Contact them with any questions you may have on:

t 01539 814616
e apprenticeships@kendal.ac.uk

Hiring an apprentice

An apprentice will have a dedicated facilitator who will provide progress updates on a regular basis. Our facilitators will help you decide the most suitable apprenticeship programme and study for your business needs. We can also tailor bespoke apprenticeship programmes to suit the needs of your business.

We offer training in apprenticeship standards from Level 2 up to Level 5, the duration for each apprenticeship training programme will vary accordingly, minimum 12 months. An apprentice can be a new recruit, or it could be a person already working in your business. Apprenticeships are open to anyone regardless of age (16+).

An apprentice will spend most 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.

As you start your recruitment process, here are some points to consider

The minimum hourly rate in the first year is £5.28 per hour (from April 2023). When the apprentice moves into their 2nd year, their hourly rate is the minimum wage for their age. Apprentices must have a training plan that equates to 20% of their contracted hours learning their trade. This is usually 1 day per week in college but, depending on experience and the sector, this can be negotiated.

Apprentices will complete an agreed training plan (to include Maths and English if required) then, once agreed by yourself (employer), us (training provider) and the apprentice, they will undertake an End Point Assessment which is carried out by an independent body. This will determine the grade and achievement of the apprenticeship programme.

Your apprentice should have a minimum fixed term contract for the duration of the apprenticeship training + endpoint assessment duration (approx. 3 months).

Government incentives

An employer will get £1,000 for taking on an apprentice who is either:

• aged 16 to 18 years old
• under 25 and has an education, health and care plan or has been in the care of their local authority

Fees

Non-levy

Employers with a pay bill of less than £3m per year do not pay the apprenticeship levy. From April 2019, the Government will pay at least 95% of the apprenticeship training and assessment costs. Employers make a 5% cash contribution (co-investment) to the cost if the apprentice is aged 19+. Employers do not pay a contribution for apprentices aged 16-18 years old.

Levy

If you’re an employer with a pay bill of more than £3m per year, you will pay the apprenticeship levy. We can help you to maximise your levy fund to meet strategic and business objectives and achieve employee and organisational ambitions. If the organisation contributes to the Apprenticeship Levy, the full cost of the apprenticeship programmes is paid via the Digital Apprenticeship Service from your Levy Account.

Useful information to consider

Delivery is usually equivalent to 1 day per week in college with additional time negotiated between assessor, apprentice and employer to assess and monitor skills development in the workplace.

If a qualification is included, this will start as the main focus of the programme but it is not the only element. It is important for the apprentice, employer/mentor and assessor to work together to ensure the Knowledge, Skills and Behaviours are achievable. Maths and English are required if not already achieved. Apprentices who do not already hold GCSE grade 9-4* or equivalent will be required to study towards Level 2 Functional Skills maths and English prior to End Point Assessment stage.

The maximum fee for each apprenticeship is set but this will be reviewed with the potential for negotiation based on the apprentice’s starting point. End Point Assessment (EPA) takes place at the end of the programme by an independent body. This can take up to 3 months, but additional time should be considered for re-takes.

What next?

You will be offered the option to advertise your vacancy (if appropriate) with the free ‘Recruit An Apprentice’ service. Apprentices will be required to attend an interview with one of our tutors to identify eligibility and confirm the correct programme and level of training for the apprentice. This is aligned with contact from one of our facilitators, who will liaise with the apprentice and their employer/manager to discuss the Knowledge, Skills and Behaviour requirements as this will confirm their starting point and training plan. Our facilitator will then work with you to complete a range of documentation including a Health and Safety Assessment, Apprenticeship Agreement and Commitment Statement to ensure all parties confirm the programme of learning for the apprentice(s).