Employer Information
Employer's information
We are looking for employers to offer Apprenticeships to young people and to new and current staff members within Darlington, Teesside and the surrounding areas. Alternatively, you may wish to offer some high-quality work experience to a Study Programme learner with a view to this potentially leading to an apprenticeship. We have an excellent track record of working with employers across this geographical area and would really like you to come on board.
Apprentices will be aged 16+ and will be looking to gain vital skills, knowledge and understanding of the industry in which they would like a career - that's where you can help. Alternatively, you may wish to upskill a current member of your staff, as there is no upper age limit for apprentices.
- Employers guide to apprenticeships
- GCSE factsheet for employers
- Apprenticeship statement of quality
- Apprenticeship training we currently offer
There is no upper age limit for apprenticeships, which could allow you to upskill a current member of your staff, to aid them in their current position or enable them to progress higher in your organisation.
Keep scrolling to see the benefits of taking on an apprentice and all of the information you need!
To speak to someone regarding Employer Information please contact Graham Curry, Learning & Skills Apprenticeships Manager, on 07949 845325 or email [email protected]
The money...
Funding
This is based on which type of employer the organisation categorised as. There will be two main types of employer:
- Levy Paying Employer – annual pay bill over £3 million
- Non-Levy Paying Employer – annual pay bill less than £3 million
Levy paying employer
As an employer, you have to pay Apprenticeship Levy each month if you have an annual pay bill of more than £3 million. Apprenticeship Levy is an amount paid at a rate of 0.5% of an employer’s annual pay bill and the government apply a 10% top up of your funds. This levy money is used to fund the training and assessing of your apprentices
Non-levy paying employer
Non-levy employers are eligible for 95-100 per cent apprenticeship funding from the government.
| Apprentice Age | 49 or less employees | 50+ employees |
|---|---|---|
| 16-21 | 100% funded | 95% funded and employer to be invoiced for the 5% |
| 22+ | 95% funded and employer to be invoiced for the 5% | 95% funded and employer to be invoiced for the 5% |
Government Grants
All employers will receive an incentive payment of £1,000, depending on age and personal circumstances, to support your apprentice in the workplace
| Apprentice Age | Government Grant |
|---|---|
| 16-18 | £1000 paid in 2 instalments (£500 after 90 days and £500 after 12 months) |
| 19+ | No grant |
| 19-25 with an Education, Health and Care (EHC) Plan or used to be in care | £1000 paid in 2 instalments (£500 after 90 days and £500 after 12 months) |
If your apprentice is eligible, you will receive the payments from the training provider in 2 instalments of £500. You will get the first payment after 90 days and the second one after a year.
For businesses within the Tees Valley, grants are available for those who recruit an Apprentice and so there is no better time to consider one. With structured training and assessment which is relevant to your organisation’s needs, an Apprentice can be an enthusiastic and valuable new addition to your workforce. Your Apprentice can quickly become a real asset to your business, improving your company’s productivity and competitiveness, whilst not affecting your bottom line. The Apprentice would be aged 16+, earning the Apprenticeship National Minimum Wage minimum for a minimum of 30 hours per week and will have a contract of employment issued by the employer like any other employee.
The Tees Valley Combined Authority supports businesses within the Tees Valley area to create new apprenticeship opportunities. The grant supports SMEs from Priority Sectors to create new apprenticeship vacancies or allow existing apprentices to progress on to higher level apprenticeships.
For more information visit the Tees Valley Combined Authority website [external link] apprenticeship information.
Additional Vocation Specific Grants
| Vocational Apprenticeship | CITB Grant |
|---|---|
| Carpentry and Joinery (Site Joinery) Level 2 | Attendance grant rate is £2,500 per year. Achievement grant is £3,500 on successful completion of the apprenticeship. |
| Advanced Carpentry and Joinery (Site Joinery) Level 3 | Attendance grant rate is £2,500 per year. Achievement grant is £3,500 on successful completion of the apprenticeship. |
| Wood Product Manufacturing Operative Level 2 | Attendance grant rate is £2,500 per year. Achievement grant is £3,500 on successful completion of the apprenticeship. |
Apprentice Wages
The apprentice must be employed, with a contract of employment to cover the duration of the apprenticeship for a minimum of 30 hours per week (maximum of 40).
| Apprentice Age | Government Grant |
|---|---|
| 16-18 | £6.40 (from 1st April). If the apprentice is aged 19+ after 12 months this must raise to the National Minimum Wage for their age. |
| 19+ |
£6.40 (from 1st April). This would rise to the National Minimum Wage for their age after 12 months. |
Additional Incentive Payments
Additional grants are available subject to size of organisation, geographical area of the apprentice / employer and occupational sector of the apprenticeship. The payment is in addition to the £1,000 employers may receive for hiring an apprentice and will be highlighted during initial discussions with our employment engagement team.
We’ll need your organisation’s bank details, so that we can pay your organisation directly. For more information please go to the gov.uk website [external link]
The logistics...
Delivery
Apprentices must attend one of our training centres either 1 day per week, fortnight or month depending on the course and your business needs.
Each apprenticeship consists of:
- On-programme training: This is the duration of training to develop the knowledge, skills and behaviours
- Gateway: These are requirements needed before the apprentice can be entered for the final assessment
- End Point Assessment (EPA): This is the final assessment, conducted by an independent assessor and graded as Pass, Merit, Distinction or Fail (can re-sit). The assessment could be face to face practical tasks/ observations or remote professional discussions/ presentations.
Each Apprenticeship is different so the duration of the training and the assessment methods will vary.
Apprenticeship Service Account
All new apprenticeships will be managed and funded using the apprenticeship service. All employers hiring apprentices will need to have an apprenticeship service account in order to access funding.
We can support all employers looking to take on an apprentice and access the funding by creating the apprenticeship service account and providing them with the email invitation to get them started. Please contact us for more information on how to do this. Visit the Apprenticeship Service YouTube Playlist [external link] which shows a collection of simple videos to support this process.
Next Stages
- Identify if you are a levy or non-levy employer
- Create a Digital Apprenticeship Account (unless you already have one)
- Link your Digital Account to our provision
- Reserve funding for the apprenticeship
- Advertise on the National Apprenticeship Service website, if you wish to start a new apprentice
- Arrange and conduct interviews, informing us of the successful applicant/s
The Business Benefits...
Taking on an Apprentice can benefit your business in a number of ways, with incentives available from the Government.
Structured training
Apprenticeships offer a structured training programme for your apprentice, combining in centre study with on-the-job training. We provide support for you and your Apprentice throughout the process to help you both get the best from the training.
Relevant skills
Apprenticeships are practical work-based schemes provided by us to help plug the skills gaps in your company.
Respected Industry qualifications
Apprenticeships lead to respected industry qualifications, which prove that the standards of work expected in the industry have been met, supported by work on core/soft skills like dealing with customers and teamwork.
Building your team
Taking on an Apprentice can lead to a valuable and enthusiastic new addition to your workforce. Every year we have a lot of interest from young people keen to make a future for themselves in a variety of different industries.
Improved productivity/ profitability
Your Apprentice can quickly become a real asset to your business, improving your company’s productivity and competitiveness.
Cost-effective recruitment
An Apprentice is a good way to keep your overheads down and improve your bottom line, whilst gaining a loyal, enthusiastic and willing employee.
TeesValley.jobs
Are you a Tees Valley Business looking to advertise a job? TeesValley.jobs is the website where local companies can advertise jobs for FREE.
Launched by the Tees Valley Mayor and Combined Authority, Tees Valley Jobs offers businesses like yours the opportunity to target a large pool of potential employees across Darlington, Hartlepool, Middlesbrough, Redcar & Cleveland and Stockton-on-Tees. It brings together local job opportunities in one place to make it easy for local people to find out about new vacancies.
To find out more about Tees Valley Jobs, create your business account and start advertising your vacancies to a large pool of potential employees for free click below.
Visit Tees Valley Jobs [external link]