Apprenticeships
Apprenticeship training is part of a national programme of government funded provision to raise the skill levels of young people – the employees of the future. It aims to develop an individual’s knowledge and skills within the workplace environment and presents a real opportunity for young people who want to continue their learning outside full-time further and higher education.
Since 1994, over one million young people have started their careers with an Apprenticeship programme.
There are two levels of Apprenticeship for apprentices and advanced apprentices:
- Apprenticeships for apprentices usually last at least a year and apprentices work towards a National Vocational Qualification at Level 2, Key Skills and in most cases a technical certificate.
- Advanced Apprenticeships usually last at least two years and apprentices work towards a National Vocational Qualification at Level 3, Key Skills and a technical certificate.
Learners can and often do progress onto an Advanced Apprenticeship.
The awarding body used by Smart Training and Recruitment for all NVQ qualifications is City and Guilds, the leading provider of vocational qualification in the UK.
Smart Training and Recruitment is the only work-based learning provider on the Isle of Wight accredited to deliver City & Guilds Qualifications.
The Benefits
As an employer, Apprenticeships are good news for you for several reasons:
- You will be eligible for funding from the Learning and Skills Council to offset your training costs.
- By providing a balanced and comprehensive training programme, Apprenticeships help you develop the kind of staff who can make a difference to your business.
- Apprenticeships can help improve staff motivation. Apprentices earn a wage, learn new skills and get their career off the ground at the same time – a combination most of their peers can’t achieve.
Your business will benefit in the following ways:
Improved productivity
Apprenticeships equip young people with the skills and knowledge to do the job better. And because they are motivated they work harder and more effectively for your business.
Motivated People
Apprentices are motivated people who are keen to learn. By offering Apprenticeships you will find it easier to recruit and retain able young people.
Relevant Training
Apprenticeships are designed by businesses in your sector to meet the needs of your business. This means training is always relevant and it is tailored to the needs of your sector by people who genuinely understand what you do.
Avoid skills shortages
Apprenticeships allow you to invest in your business’s future. By taking on an apprentice you can acquire specialist skills for your business that allow you to keep abreast of new technology.