So, you’ve taken the plunge and hired your first apprentice! Here are some helpful tips to get you and your apprentice off to a good start.
1. Sign on the dotted line
Have an Apprenticeship Agreement in place outlining the terms and conditions of the apprenticeship along with the title of the occupation they are training towards and the qualification they are studying.
2. Make them feel welcome
Starting a new job can be nerve-wracking enough, particularly if this is your apprentices first ‘proper’ job. To help them overcome initial nerves introduce them to team members and run through the key company processes.
3. Identify a Line Manager
Your apprentice may work for different members of a team, however, it is important they have a single point of contact they can refer to for support.
4. Set clear goals & objectives
To quote Oscar Wilde “when you assume, you make an ass out of u and me.” Sharing expectations through clear objectives and goals puts everyone on the same page from day one.
5. Be approachable
Your apprentice may find it hard to ask for help, especially during the early days, so do set time aside to offer guidance and support. Give clear instructions when setting tasks and set deadlines until they know what to prioritise.
6. Be firm
Like any new relationship, there may be teething problems. Nip any issues e.g. timekeeping, in the bud from the get-go. Part of learning on the job is respecting office rules and procedures, your apprentice will need to understand this.
7. Monitor progress
You may not know the units in their qualification inside and out but do get involved by attending quarterly review meetings with their assessor. Showing interest boosts your apprentices’ confidence and helps you track their progress from the beginning of the apprenticeship through to completion.
8. Be an effective communicator
Diarise a weekly catch up, so you both know where you’re at with the main work tasks and invite your apprentice to relevant internal meetings to help them feel involved and develop their understanding of the department/company.
9. Enjoy the experience
Apprenticeships have many benefits including reducing your recruitment and training bill as well as increasing productivity. You have an extra pair of hands to help you drive your business forward, so enjoy it!
For more information on hiring apprentices contact the recruitment team at DiVA on 0203 189 1784 or drop us an email hello@divaapprenticeships.com
The Government has now published the highly anticipated proposals underpinning the new apprenticeship reforms, including the cost of apprenticeship training, along with the additional support for businesses that are not in scope to pay for the Apprenticeship Levy.
The new apprenticeship funding system will be made up of 15 funding bands ranging from £1500 to £27,000 depending on the nature of the apprenticeship. For example, apprenticeships that sit within administration and customer service areas attract a lower training fee with STEM (Science Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) subjects and degree level apprenticeships commanding a higher training cost. It is up to the employer to negotiate the cost of training directly with the training provider.
Under the new proposals, the 98% of employers with wage bills of less than £3m will have 90% of the costs of apprenticeship training paid for by the government.
Also, the Government has introduced financial incentives of £2,000 per apprentice to support employers and training providers that take on 16 to 18-year-old apprentices or young care leavers. Furthermore, businesses with fewer than 50 employees who take on these apprentices will not have to contribute towards the cost of training their apprentice (but will have to pay the salary), rather this will be 100% funded by Government.
The proposal also introduces the following:
- Employers will be able to use levy funds to retrain new and existing staff, even if they have prior qualifications e.g. Undergraduate or Postgraduate degrees
- Levy paying employers that want to spend more on apprenticeship training than what is in their digital account will be able to access the 90% Government contribution
- Guidelines for applying to become a Registered Training Provider, allowing employers the opportunity to deliver the training themselves
DiVA Director, Arit Eminue said: “There is still a way to go in terms of ironing out how the system will work in practice, however, the funding ratio for non-levy paying employers is not prohibitive, particularly when there is much more flexibility on the eligibility criteria of the apprentice, allowing companies the ability to find and train the right talent for their business irrespective of age or educational achievement.”
For details on how you can get your business ready for the apprenticeship levy, contact Arit Eminue on 0203 189 1784 for a free consultation.
Useful Links
Click here for updated guidance for employers
Click here to estimate your levy costs
