Apprenticeship Information for School Employers
Apprenticeships are suitable for people at any level. For example, an intermediate apprenticeship (level 2) is equivalent to GCSE level, while a degree apprenticeship (level 6 or 7) is equivalent to a bachelor’s or master’s degree.
An apprentice must:
- be 16 years old or over by the end of the summer holidays
- live in England
- not already be in full-time education
We pride ourselves on our flexibility to work with you and deliver a programme that is tailored to your individual business needs as well as the the ever-changing skills requirements of the wider labour market. We also offer a free recruitment service if you are looking to take-on a new apprentice rather than put an existing member of staff through one of our courses.
“Stop thinking of the levy as a tax and start to think of all the things that can be achieved through it,” says our Apprenticeship Levy Manager, Riv Monsell.
Heart of England Training is specifically geared-up to support you with navigating the levy and making the best use of it. We will help you steer the ship. We maintain excellent working relationships with local authorities and can look after the financial elements of apprenticeships on your behalf. Similarly, we can liaise directly with the centralised HR or Finance function of the Multi-Academy Trust to agree spend and gain access to the levy funding.
We will work with individual schools to conduct and identify training needs, providing guidance and advice around selecting the most appropriate courses and contents: the right qualifications for your staff and your school. Ultimately, we strive to provide the best value for the school.
Recruiting & Upskilling
We offer a FREE recruitment service whereby we can work with you to shortlist applicants who have applied for your vacancy. We can work with you to create a job description and manage the process of advertising the vacancy online, although we always recommend you market the opportunity through your own platforms (both online and offline). Apprenticeships are also suitable for upskilling or retraining your existing workforce. By giving staff the opportunity to complete an apprenticeship and achieve a recognised qualification, you can fill key skill gaps in your business, boost motivation by investing in development and improve retention.
Funding
If your organisation's wage bill is less than £3M per year, you will receive funding from the Government towards apprenticeship training and assessment. The amount of funding received depends on the number of employees in your business and the apprentice you are recruiting. Organisations with a wage bill of more than £3M pay the apprenticeship levy. You will receive funds through the Apprenticeship Service to pay for training and assessment. If you employ a new apprentice aged 16-18 (or 19-24 with a EHCP), you will receive a £1,000 incentive from the Government. You will need to pay your apprentice a salary for their normal working hours and the training they undertake as part of the apprenticeship.
Training & Assessment
As the apprentice's employer, you will deliver on-the-job training and supervision to develop them in their role. We will deliver curriculum-led training through contact sessions, remote Day Courses and assignments/project work through your apprentice's eportfolio. For any apprentices who do not meet the minimum requirements for Maths & English, we will provide additional sessions, resources and support and arrange the relevant assessments during the apprenticeship programme.
Why recruit a TA apprentice?
Our Apprenticeships for Schools offer is a powerful proposition. With a combination of assisted learning and a potential Government incentive, an apprenticeship can be an inexpensive way to experience and interact with the local talent pool and reach out to the local community. Teaching Assistant apprenticeships provide opportunities for young people whilst posing very little risk to the school.
Another thing to consider is the ageing workforce: recruiting a younger apprentice can change the dynamic of your school. They can bring vigour and vim; impetus and youthful energy. It also gives rise to knowledge transfer and succession training: the passing-on of knowledge and skills when older staff leave. For PE Teaching Assistant apprentices, you may be able to tap-into the Sports Premium to pay their wages: resulting in a whole new member of staff from a different cost centre.