Apprenticeships - Employer Q and A

What is an Apprenticeship?

Apprenticeships are nationally recognised qualifications. They are achieved through on-the-job, industry-specific training.

Apprenticeships are based on national frameworks, designed by employers to focus on the skills that businesses need. They include National Vocational Qualifications (NVQs), diplomas, functional skills and other relevant qualifications.

Apprentices spend most of their working week as an employee within a work-placement. They take some time out to study at college (this is generally one full day per week).

Apprenticeships are available to anyone over the age of 16, and can take between one and four years to complete.

There are three levels of Apprenticeship:

• Intermediate Level Apprenticeship
• Advanced Level Apprenticeship
• Higher Apprenticeship.

Why should my business employ an apprentice?

There are lots of reasons why apprentices make good business sense. They are an effective way to fill a skills gap in your workforce, because they receive on-the-job-training specific to their role.

Apprentices are cost-effective too, as their training outside the workplace is subsidised by the government through the National Apprenticeship Service.

Because an apprentice receives training with an employer, it means they are both working towards the same goal. The key skills and competency elements of an Apprenticeship programme mean you can be assured you have an employee that is fit for purpose.

Apprentices are fresh talent who have elected to start a career in a certain industry - this make them very motivated and engaged employees. They are ready to learn and know the importance of relevant work-experience. But, don’t forget, Apprenticeships are available for existing staff too.

Your business will benefit from:

• skills training tuned to your specific business needs
• increased staff retention and motivation
• support from experienced providers in recruitment
• training from highly experienced and qualified College tutors
• improved productivity
• avoiding skills shortages.

Why choose City College Plymouth?

City College Plymouth supports hundreds of businesses every year with the recruitment and selection of apprentices.

Key reasons to choose City College Plymouth

• Our Apprenticeship provision is outstanding. We have an achievement rate of over 85%, and success rates 14% above the national benchmark*.

• With nearly 1,000 apprentices, we are the highest performing provider in the South West.*

• We have access to a large pool of enthusiastic, motivated students who are seeking Apprenticeship opportunities in Plymouth and all over the South West.

• We can offer funding for all 16-18 year olds. (Funding rates vary for those aged 19 plus, please contact us for details.)

• We have an award-wining Work-based Learning department - with four staff members winning prestigious external awards, including a coveted City & Guilds President’s Award.

*Source: Quality Success Rate database, as of November 2011

The National Apprenticeship Service provides detailed information for employers on their website - including their own Q and A section.