Employing an Apprentice 

If you're planning to expand your work force or have a vacancy, why not consider hiring an apprentice? Our programmes  provide high quality training and we offer excellent support to the apprentice for the duration of their apprenticeship.

There has never been a better time to recruit an apprentice into your organisation.  Apprenticeships can help businesses across all sectors by offering a route to encourage new talent or progress existing staff.  An apprentice will work alongside your experienced staff to gain job specific skills ensuring a workforce that has the practical skills, knowledge and behaviours that are needed now and in the future. 

An apprenticeship could be a new position to your structure at either entry level or above, or could be suitable for an existing employee to progress into another job role.  As long as there is a genuine job role and a contract of employment long enough to complete an apprenticeship, you can offer the opportunity, along with support to gain knowledge, skills and behaviours needed to an existing or new member of staff to achieve an apprenticeship.

As the employer you must give your apprentice an induction into their role and allow six hours of off-the-job training per week. You are responsible for paying your apprentice's salary and issuing their Contract of Employment.

In addition, you must:

• Ensure the apprentice receives the same rights as other employees and follows employer policies and procedures

• Ensure that apprentices understand and follow your health and safety practices and procedures

• Hold a current employers and public liability insurance and vehicle insurance where appropriate

• Provide Personal Protective Equipment where appropriate

• Ensure adequate and competent supervision

• Contribute to progress reviews

• Allow your apprentice time to study and attend training sessions within their working week

Generally, most of the training is on-the-job at an employer's premises, working with a mentor to learn job specific skills in the workplace.  Off-the-job training is provided by a training provider and will be delivered in both the workplace and at the training provider's venue.

Apprenticeship Agreement

You must sign an apprenticeship agreement with your apprentice at the start of their apprenticeship. This gives details of what you agree to do for the apprentice, including:

• Length of the Apprenticeship

• Training and qualifications 

• Working conditions

Training Plan

You must sign a training plan with your apprentice and training provider at the start of their apprenticeship.  Both agreements and statements will be provided by the training provider.