Skip to content

Apprenticeships

Learners talking at a table

What is an Apprenticeship?

An Apprenticeship is a way that somebody can earn whilst they learn. They are for somebody who is in a new or existing job role, someone who already works for you or a young person recruited specifically on an Apprenticeship.

An Apprenticeship is a way to develop new skills within the working environment to become an employee of a higher standard. Apprenticeships are an excellent way to gain knowledge, understanding and real work experience. An Apprenticeship can take anywhere from 12 – 24 months to complete depending on the qualification and contracted hours of work.

Who can do an Apprenticeship?

Anyone can do an Apprenticeship as long as they are employed. Apprenticeships are for people aged 16 or over. An apprentice must spend the majority of their employment in England, must not in full time education and must be a resident of England.

Apprenticeships are not only for people who have left school after GCSEs or A-Levels; they can be done by anyone at any age. They can be used to improve the skills of an existing worker; which in turn can increase the standards of your workforce.

There are no specific prior qualifications needed to start an apprenticeship, although most employers may feel that the employee needs at least 2+ GCSEs passes including English and Maths. If the learner does not have the required qualifications in Maths, English or IT, then they will sit a Functional Skills qualification alongside their apprenticeship.

How can an Apprenticeship benefit you?

An apprenticeship can allow your employees to develop their own knowledge and competency within the workplace to allow them to become higher skilled workers. The Government have also provided incentives for employers with their Plan for Jobs scheme.

What do you have to pay?

From May 2017 the way that Apprenticeships are paid for changed. If you have a pay bill of over £3 million, your employee’s apprenticeship will be funded through the Apprenticeship Levy. This means that as an employer, control of apprenticeship funding will be put in your hands through the Digital Apprenticeship Service. The levy will be charged at a rate of 0.5% of an employer’s pay bill. Each employer will receive an allowance of £15,000 to offset against their levy payment. 

This is what is used to pay for the Apprenticeship and is paid through your levy account. If you have spent your entire levy and would like your staff to do an apprenticeship, then you can pay the provider directly for this.

If you are an employer with a payroll under £3 million pounds, you will not be eligible for the levy payments. You will only need to pay 5% of the training directly to the training provider. The remainder is funded by the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA). In January 2020, Adult Education in Gloucestershire gained approval to deliver to non-levy employers.

Alternatively, the learner can fund the cost of the training themselves through an Advanced Learner Loan. The loan can be taken out to cover the cost of the training and the learner only makes repayments when their income is over £25,000 a year and they have completed the course.

As an apprentice is still your employee, you will still need to pay them as you would any other employee. The apprentice is entitled to the National Minimum Wage. At present, the minimum wage rate for an apprentice is currently £4.81 per hour. This rate applies only to apprentices who are aged under 19, or aged 19 or over who are in the first year of their apprenticeship. The apprentice must be paid at least the National Minimum wage if they are aged 19 or over and have completed their first year.

Whilst it may appear that the cost of the apprenticeship is a daunting investment, with the right support and training it can pay off greatly for both the learner and yourselves.

You can access more information on this at:

https://www.gov.uk/hmrc-internal-manuals/apprenticeship-levy

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/apprenticeship-levy-how-it-will-work/apprenticeship-levy-how-it-will-work

https://www.gov.uk/advanced-learner-loan

Apprenticeships We Offer:

Click the blue drop down buttons below to learn more about the Apprenticeships we offer.

Level 3 Business Administrator

The Business Administrator Apprenticeship is designed to provide the Knowledge, Skills and Behaviours required to be an effective Administrator in both large and small businesses in the public, private and charitable sectors. It is ideal for those administrators with some responsibility for systems or people and who would like to progress their career to a more senior role. They will ideally support and work with different parts of the organisation, communicating with a variety of internal and external stakeholders and contribute towards the efficiency of the company.

Level 2 Customer Service Practitioner

The Customer Service Practitioner is designed to provide the Knowledge, Skills and Behaviours required to enable the delivery of high quality customer service in both large and small businesses in the public, private and charitable sectors. It is ideal for those practitioners who are new to the role or have developmental needs. They will deliver customer service from the workplace, digitally or through visiting customer premises. They may be one off or routine contacts and include dealing with orders, payments, advice, guidance or support, after care, problem solving or sales.

Level 3 Customer Service Specialist

The Customer Service Specialist is designed to provide the Knowledge, Skills and Behaviours required to enable the delivery of high quality customer service in both large and small businesses in the public, private and charitable sectors. It is ideal for those specialists who are new to the role or have developmental needs or would like to develop skills be a professional for direct customer support. They will act as a referral point for dealing with more complex or technical requests, complaints or queries. They will be the escalation point for more complicated or ongoing problems.

Level 3 Team Leader/Supervisor

A Team Leader/Supervisor is a first line management role, with operational/project responsibilities for managing a team to deliver a clearly defined outcome. They provide direction, instructions and guidance to ensure the achievement of set goals. Key responsibilities are likely to include supporting, managing and developing team members, managing projects, planning and monitoring workloads and resources, delivering operational plans, resolving problems, and building relationships internally and externally.

Level 4 Learning and Skills Mentor

The role of the learning and skills mentor can be found in all sectors where training and development is required. For example, but not limited to, healthcare, military, manufacturing, production, business and professional, education, leisure, construction, creative, technology. The purpose of the learning and skills mentor occupation is to support individuals and groups with their learning and development towards agreed goals. They will do this by working within ethical and legal frameworks to ensure a high standard of mentoring practice. They will work collaboratively with stakeholders to inclusively meet the individual needs of the mentee. 

Level 5 Operations/Department Manager

The Operations / Departmental Manager is designed to provide the Knowledge, Skills and Behaviours required to be an effective Manager in both large and small businesses in the public, private and charitable sectors. It is ideal for those managers who are new to role or have developmental needs. They will be accountable to more senior managers and will have key responsibilities including creating and delivering operational plans, managing projects, leading and managing teams, financial, resource and talent management. This is particularly suitable for Operations Managers, Regional Managers, Divisional Managers, Departmental Managers and specialist managers.

Level 3 Business Administrator

The Business Administrator Apprenticeship is designed to provide the Knowledge, Skills and Behaviours required to be an effective Administrator in both large and small businesses in the public, private and charitable sectors. It is ideal for those administrators with some responsibility for systems or people and who would like to progress their career to a more senior role. They will ideally support and work with different parts of the organisation, communicating with a variety of internal and external stakeholders and contribute towards the efficiency of the company.

Level 2 Customer Service Practitioner

The Customer Service Practitioner is designed to provide the Knowledge, Skills and Behaviours required to enable the delivery of high quality customer service in both large and small businesses in the public, private and charitable sectors. It is ideal for those practitioners who are new to the role or have developmental needs. They will deliver customer service from the workplace, digitally or through visiting customer premises. They may be one off or routine contacts and include dealing with orders, payments, advice, guidance or support, after care, problem solving or sales.

Level 3 Customer Service Specialist

The Customer Service Specialist is designed to provide the Knowledge, Skills and Behaviours required to enable the delivery of high quality customer service in both large and small businesses in the public, private and charitable sectors. It is ideal for those specialists who are new to the role or have developmental needs or would like to develop skills be a professional for direct customer support. They will act as a referral point for dealing with more complex or technical requests, complaints or queries. They will be the escalation point for more complicated or ongoing problems.

Level 3 Team Leader/Supervisor

A Team Leader/Supervisor is a first line management role, with operational/project responsibilities for managing a team to deliver a clearly defined outcome. They provide direction, instructions and guidance to ensure the achievement of set goals. Key responsibilities are likely to include supporting, managing and developing team members, managing projects, planning and monitoring workloads and resources, delivering operational plans, resolving problems, and building relationships internally and externally.

Level 4 Learning and Skills Mentor

The role of the learning and skills mentor can be found in all sectors where training and development is required. For example, but not limited to, healthcare, military, manufacturing, production, business and professional, education, leisure, construction, creative, technology. The purpose of the learning and skills mentor occupation is to support individuals and groups with their learning and development towards agreed goals. They will do this by working within ethical and legal frameworks to ensure a high standard of mentoring practice. They will work collaboratively with stakeholders to inclusively meet the individual needs of the mentee. 

Level 5 Operations/Department Manager

The Operations / Departmental Manager is designed to provide the Knowledge, Skills and Behaviours required to be an effective Manager in both large and small businesses in the public, private and charitable sectors. It is ideal for those managers who are new to role or have developmental needs. They will be accountable to more senior managers and will have key responsibilities including creating and delivering operational plans, managing projects, leading and managing teams, financial, resource and talent management. This is particularly suitable for Operations Managers, Regional Managers, Divisional Managers, Departmental Managers and specialist managers.

Level 2 Early Years Practitioner

The Early Years Practitioner Apprenticeship is designed to provide the Knowledge, Skills and Behaviours for Early Years Practitioners and other job roles such as nursery practitioners and assistant childminders, who play a role in ensuring that young children learn and develop well and are kept healthy and safe. They work in a range of settings including full day care, children’s centres, pre schools, reception classes and as childminders. They will be working with others to deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) requirements set by Government for the learning, development and care of children from birth to 5 years old.

Level 3 Early Years Educator

The Early Years Educator Apprenticeship is designed to provide the Knowledge, Skills and Behaviours for Early Years Educators, and other job roles such as nursery nurse and childminders, who play a key role in ensuring that young children learn and develop well and are kept healthy and safe. They work in a range of settings including full day care, children’s centres, pre schools, reception classes and as childminders. They may either be working on their own or supervising others to deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) requirements set by Government for the learning, development and care of children from birth to 5 years old.

Level 5 Early Years Lead Practitioner

The Early Years Lead Practitioner is a level 5 Apprenticeship which is designed to increase the knowledge, skills and behaviours for people who lead on the operational aspects and are responsible for leading other practitioners within the setting. This includes communication, language, planning and assessment, forest school and physical activity and nutrition. 

The level 5 is ideal for more experienced room leaders, deputy managers, assistant managers, senior practitioners, coordinators, and specialist practitioners.

Level 3 Teaching Assistant

The Teaching Assistant Apprenticeship is designed to provide the Knowledge, Skills and Behaviours required to be an effective support to the Teacher in Primary, Special or Secondary education. It is ideal for those Teaching Assistants with some responsibility for the children they support and who would like to progress their career to a more senior role. They will gain knowledge, skills and behaviours to demonstrate being good role models, act with honesty and integrity, take part in team meetings; contribute to planning and class activities. Whilst promoting Fundamental British Values through spiritual, moral, social and cultural development and positive behaviours to contribute in developing pupil progress and development.

Level 2 Early Years Practitioner

The Early Years Practitioner Apprenticeship is designed to provide the Knowledge, Skills and Behaviours for Early Years Practitioners and other job roles such as nursery practitioners and assistant childminders, who play a role in ensuring that young children learn and develop well and are kept healthy and safe. They work in a range of settings including full day care, children’s centres, pre schools, reception classes and as childminders. They will be working with others to deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) requirements set by Government for the learning, development and care of children from birth to 5 years old.

Level 3 Early Years Educator

The Early Years Educator Apprenticeship is designed to provide the Knowledge, Skills and Behaviours for Early Years Educators, and other job roles such as nursery nurse and childminders, who play a key role in ensuring that young children learn and develop well and are kept healthy and safe. They work in a range of settings including full day care, children’s centres, pre schools, reception classes and as childminders. They may either be working on their own or supervising others to deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) requirements set by Government for the learning, development and care of children from birth to 5 years old.

Level 5 Early Years Lead Practitioner

The Early Years Lead Practitioner is a level 5 Apprenticeship which is designed to increase the knowledge, skills and behaviours for people who lead on the operational aspects and are responsible for leading other practitioners within the setting. This includes communication, language, planning and assessment, forest school and physical activity and nutrition. 

The level 5 is ideal for more experienced room leaders, deputy managers, assistant managers, senior practitioners, coordinators, and specialist practitioners.

Level 3 Teaching Assistant

The Teaching Assistant Apprenticeship is designed to provide the Knowledge, Skills and Behaviours required to be an effective support to the Teacher in Primary, Special or Secondary education. It is ideal for those Teaching Assistants with some responsibility for the children they support and who would like to progress their career to a more senior role. They will gain knowledge, skills and behaviours to demonstrate being good role models, act with honesty and integrity, take part in team meetings; contribute to planning and class activities. Whilst promoting Fundamental British Values through spiritual, moral, social and cultural development and positive behaviours to contribute in developing pupil progress and development.

Level 2 Adult Care Worker

Adult Care Workers are the frontline staff who help adults with care and support needs to achieve their personal goals and live as independently and safely as possible, enabling them to have control and choice in their lives. Job titles might include: Care Assistant, Care Worker, Support Worker, Personal Assistant, Relief Team Worker, Support Worker - Supported Living, Key Worker in Residential Settings, Key Worker in Domiciliary Services, Key Worker in Day Services, Home Care Support Worker,  Adult Care Workers need to have the right values and behaviours developing competences and skills to provide high quality compassionate care and support. They are the frontline staff who help adults with care and support needs to achieve their personal goals and live as independently and safely as possible, enabling them to have control and choice in their lives which is at the heart of person centred care. 

Level 3 Lead Adult Care Worker

Lead Adult Care Workers are the frontline staff who help adults with care and support needs to achieve their personal goals and live as independently and safely as possible, enabling them to have control and choice in their lives. In addition, Lead Adult Care Workers have responsibility for providing supervision, frontline leadership, guidance and direction for others, or working autonomously, exercising judgement and accountability. Typical job titles include Care Officer, Care Supervisor, Senior Care Worker and Supervising Care Worker. These could all specialise in a variety of areas such as learning disability, mental health, drug and alcohol misuse, homecare, dementia and end-of-life care.

Level 2 Adult Care Worker

Adult Care Workers are the frontline staff who help adults with care and support needs to achieve their personal goals and live as independently and safely as possible, enabling them to have control and choice in their lives. Job titles might include: Care Assistant, Care Worker, Support Worker, Personal Assistant, Relief Team Worker, Support Worker - Supported Living, Key Worker in Residential Settings, Key Worker in Domiciliary Services, Key Worker in Day Services, Home Care Support Worker,  Adult Care Workers need to have the right values and behaviours developing competences and skills to provide high quality compassionate care and support. They are the frontline staff who help adults with care and support needs to achieve their personal goals and live as independently and safely as possible, enabling them to have control and choice in their lives which is at the heart of person centred care. 

Level 3 Lead Adult Care Worker

Lead Adult Care Workers are the frontline staff who help adults with care and support needs to achieve their personal goals and live as independently and safely as possible, enabling them to have control and choice in their lives. In addition, Lead Adult Care Workers have responsibility for providing supervision, frontline leadership, guidance and direction for others, or working autonomously, exercising judgement and accountability. Typical job titles include Care Officer, Care Supervisor, Senior Care Worker and Supervising Care Worker. These could all specialise in a variety of areas such as learning disability, mental health, drug and alcohol misuse, homecare, dementia and end-of-life care.