Invest in the future - take on an apprentice

Apprenticeships

A successful business needs a dedicated and talented workforce yet sometimes it is hard to find staff who fit your culture and have the right level of skills.

Apprenticeships are a great solution and a cost-effective way to recruit fresh talent into your business. You will be able to train your employees, increase staff retention and improve your bottom line.

What is an apprenticeship?

Apprenticeships are work-based training programmes, usually taking around one year to complete, which are designed around the needs of you, the employer. They combine training at East Berkshire College with practical skills learnt in the workplace.

They are available across a variety of occupations at our College, so if you work within the following sectors, you should talk to us:

• Business    
• Childcare
• Construction
• Engineering
• Hairdressing & Beauty Therapy
• Health & Social Care
• Hospitality & Catering
• IT
• Motor Vehicle
• Science

For a list of all the latest apprenticeships available and accompanying factsheets, please visit www.eastberks.ac.uk/apprenticeships.

What types of apprenticeships are there and who can do one?

Apprenticeships are available at three levels:
- Intermediate apprenticeships
- Advanced apprenticeships
- Higher apprenticeships

Anyone over the age of 16 can apply to do an apprenticeship, whether they are a school-leaver, have been working for years or would like to change careers (however, they must be employed). Different apprenticeships have different entry requirements.

How is the course funded?

Government funding may be available if an individual is:

• 16-18 years old: Funding is available for all occupational areas; generally there is no fee charged to the apprentice or their employer.    
• 19 years old or over: Part funding is available; a contribution is also required from the employer.

For information on the latest funding available to you, call our Business Services team on 01753 793000.

Is there any additional help for SMEs?

If you are an employer with up to 1,000 employees, then you could be eligible for a £1,500 grant to help you take on from one to ten apprentices aged 16-24.

For more details and to check your eligibility, call our Business Services team on 01753 793000.

What are the benefits of apprenticeships to you the employer?

You could offer an apprenticeships to a current member of your team to help build their skills or if you employ a new individual they are a cost-effective way to add to your workforce and help grow your business. Because they are learning qualifications relevant to your industry AND your business, they will soon become a valuable asset to you.

An apprenticeship will enable your business to:
•    reduce your training and hiring costs
    pass down specific skills of your existing team to new staff
•    utilise fresh new talent
•    keep pace with the latest technology and industry practices
•    increase staff retention loyalty
•    improve productivity

What are your responsibilities as an employer?

• You will be expected to pay your apprentice the national minimum wage for their age, although many employers choose to pay their apprentices more than this.
• You will need to provide a contract of employment
• Apprentices are expected to work a minimum of 30 hours per week (including their time at college).
• Apprenticeships are work-based training programmes and so you will need to provide some on-the-job training, and preferably match them with a mentor within your business

See our website for full details.

Why work with East Berkshire College?

We have a free matching service to help you find the right apprentice for your business. We support you as well as your apprentice, and you would have a dedicated account manager looking after your needs.

We have over 35 years of experience and offer:
• industry-experienced trainers
• help accessing funding
• a free apprentice matching service
• training tailored to meet your needs
• top class facilities
• a dedicated account manager
• sector-specific expertise

What is the next step?

Thinking about developing a current employee or taking on a new apprentice?

Email us on info@eastberks.ac.uk

Or call 01753 793000 to talk to an adviser.

Don't forget to mention The Best of Windsor when you call!