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Apprenticeships are a great way of attracting new talent to your business and upskilling your current employees.
Explore this page to find the answers to some Frequently Asked Questions about apprenticeships.
What is an apprenticeship?
An apprenticeship is an excellent way to develop the knowledge, skills and behaviours of new or existing staff. 20% of their paid time is spent learning ‘Off the job’ and involves the essential training to help them gain the skills required to complete their apprenticeship standard. Upon completion of their practical training and End Point Assessment they will receive vocationally recognised industry standard recognition.
How do apprenticeships work?
The training can take place in or out of the work environment. Most programmes require regular weekly college attendance however the frequency is very much dependant on the apprenticeship standard. As an employer any In-house training, relevant to the standard can contribute to the skills development also. Assessors will visit the apprentice on a monthly basis to assess their work, set targets, and review their progress and it is expected that the apprentices’ line manager is involved to make sure all parties are satisfied with the progress of the Apprenticeship.
Is there an age limit for apprenticeships?
Apprentices can be any age over 16. There is no upper age limit meaning your existing staff can benefit as well.
How will my business benefit?
As an employer, you will benefit from value-added training that is tailored to your business requirements. You will also gain from having motivated and well-trained staff with essential skills, enhanced staff morale, better employee retention, and improved efficiency and productivity. Your staff will receive relevant industry training that can have an immediate impact on your business. You will be involved in every step in the planning of their training programme.
How long does an apprenticeship programme last?
The length of an apprenticeship depends on the programme however the minimum time is 12 months with some programmes taking up to 4 years to complete.
Does the apprentice have to attend college?
It depends on the apprenticeship programme. Some standards have all training delivered in the workplace, some have regular 1 day per week attendance whilst a few have a requirement to attend up to 4 days per week intensively during the first 6 months.
What are the eligibility criteria?
Apprentices must be over 16 years old and have the right to live and work in the UK for the duration of their programme. They will need to hold the entry grades for the specific programme and as an employee must have a contract of employment that cover as least the duration of the apprenticeship training.
How much do I pay a new apprentice?
Apprentices get paid a minimum wage, up-to-date wage cost here. Apprentices aged 19 and over, in the second year of study, will be entitled to the age-related rate. However, many apprentices get paid much more than this. Apprentices must also be paid for the time they spend studying at college. For more information on the National Minimum Wage visit www.gov.uk
Do I have to pay course fees?
Costs vary according to the company size and age of apprentice. Please visit our Employer Funding page for more information.
Do apprentices get holidays?
Yes. Apprentices are employees so are entitled to the same statutory benefits including paid holiday leave.
I would like to take on a new apprentice but don’t have someone in mind
No problem, Cambridge Regional College can help you recruit an apprentice. We provide a free recruitment service which includes advertising your vacancy on our website, interviewing applicants, and testing their literacy and numeracy skills. We are part of a large Further Education College with an extensive vocational full-time programme meaning that we can identify suitable candidates from an existing pool of candidates. We can be as involved as much or as little as you wish, taking the stress out of recruitment.
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