APPRENTICESHIPS - RETURN ON INVESTMENT

Research from the National Apprenticeship week has shown 81% of businesses employing apprentices agree that they bring higher overall productivity

Research from the National Apprenticeship week has shown 92% of employers who employ apprentices believe that Apprenticeships lead to a more motivated and satisfied workforce

Research from the National Apprenticeship week has shown 80% feel that Apprenticeships reduce staff turnover

Research from the National Apprenticeship week has shown 1in 5 employers are hiring more apprentices to help them through the tough economic climate

Research from the National Apprenticeship week has shown 83% of employers rely on their Apprenticeships programme to provide the skilled workers that they need for the future

Research from the National Apprenticeship week has shown 81% of businesses employing apprentices agree that they bring higher overall productivity 92% of employers who employ apprentices believe that Apprenticeships lead to a more motivated and satisfied workforce 80% feel that Apprenticeships reduce staff turnover One in five employers are hiring more apprentices to help them through the tough economic climate 83% of employers rely on their Apprenticeships programme to provide the skilled workers that they need for the future 7

Return on Investment Lower recruitment costs Recruit motivated, enthusiastic staff Grant to subsidise Apprenticeship wages Government funded training Flexible training in the workplace Greater productivity On-going support from Bucks Adult Learning 8

Apprenticeships – Key Facts 250 different types of Apprenticeships available offering over 1,400 job roles Work-based training programmes New and existing employees Any age Visited every month by an assessor Typically take a year to complete Lead to nationally recognised qualifications Onward progression routes to Higher Education 9

Bucks Adult Learning Apprenticeship offer includes: AAT (Accountancy) Business Administration Customer Service Management Team Leading IT Application Specialist 10 Some are offered at three levels, Intermediate Apprenticeships (Level 2), Advanced Apprenticeships (Level 3), Higher Apprenticeships (Level 4)

Employers

Delivery Flexible delivery is key to us Technical Certificate and NVQ delivered in workplace – monthly visits – Moodle resources – Workbooks Functional Skills – Delivery at nearest Adult Learning Centre Added Value Learning Away days – Team building – Equality and diversity – Conflict resolution – ‘Go Ape’ and ‘Green Park’ Additionality – BCC provide training for Apprentices – minute taking, presentation skills

Apprenticeship Eligibility Be employed within a relevant occupation Not hold a qualification at Degree level Be an EU citizen or resident within EU for last 3 years Be employed (with contract of employment) for a minimum of 30 hours per week Receive a minimum of £80.40 per week – based upon 30 hour week at £2.68 National Average Apprenticeship Salary/Wage is £180 per week 13

Steps to recruitment 14

Employment of Apprentices 1.Apprentice(s) are employed by an external organisation (SEAC). That removes all employment responsibility from the company 2.SEAC manages performance, contract of employment, pay etc. 3.Your company will pay an additional 20% of the weekly wage to SEAC for them to manage the employment aspects 4.Bucks Adult Learning do the training 1.Apprentices are directly employed by the company 2.Minimum weekly pay of £2.68 (<19 or 1st year of an Apprenticeship) 3.Company organises contract of employment, pay etc 4.Bucks Adult Learning do the training and manage performance Option 1Option 2

Employer Incentive (AGE 16 to 24) AGE grants are available for small to medium sized employers recruiting 16 to 24 year olds as Apprentices The Apprenticeship framework training is fully government funded for year olds and partially funded for those aged19+ The value of the grant is £1,500, which is aimed at assisting eligible employers recruit their first Apprentice

Eligibility checklist for AGE grant 1.Do you employ up to 1000 employees in the UK (including all branches/sites)? 2.Are you an Employer who is interested in employing a young apprentice but are not in a position to do so due to current financial constraints, or need some financial help in taking on an apprentice? 3.You have not employed an apprentice in the last 12 months, whether as a new recruit or through transferring an existing employee onto an Apprenticeship programme? 4.Up to ten grants can be made to any one employer. However, the employer must commit to the total number of apprentices they wish to take on through the grant at the upfront agreement stage

Case Histories - Peros Peter Goodey, Joint Managing Director, Peros ‘Since the roll out of the Apprenticeship program within our customer service team, the benefit has been felt two-fold. On a personal level the individuals are motivated about achieving their own Apprenticeship targets and have really enjoyed the challenge. It has also had a positive effect on the Peros business through more confident, engaged and knowledgeable staff. One of our key aims at Peros is to offer the scheme to a wider audience.’ Lauren Andrews, Customer Relations Supervisor, Peros ‘My apprenticeship has helped me with my confidence in progressing as a Supervisor. It has opened up opportunities for me to develop my role and department. It also gave me an insight as to why things are done, such as job appraisals, and has linked directly to my new managerial roles and responsibilities.’

Case Histories – Trinity Health Nick Beevers, Practice Manager ‘We considered taking an Apprentice to provide support for my role as I needed someone to share the IT workload. We agreed the criteria and Bucks Adult Learning did the rest in promoting the role and selecting the most suitable candidates for us to interview. It has been a very positive experience. We have a person who has grown immensely over the 12 months of the Apprenticeship and has made a positive difference in the practice. I would definitely repeat the process again in the future.’ Jacob Webb, IT Systems Administrator ‘My year as an Apprentice with Trinity Health has been extremely beneficial. I’ve learned so much this year and gained lots of really valuable work experience that I will take with me throughout my career. I would definitely recommend the Apprenticeship scheme to any one thinking of applying as it’s a really great way to work, get educated and get your career started.’

John Colet School Coralie Perry - PA to Headteacher ‘Our Apprentice has become a valuable member of our team in a very short period of time. The recruiting process was simple and the continuing support from the Bucks Adult Learning assessor has been excellent. I would like to encourage other employers to offer apprenticeships as I feel they offer an excellent education and provide valuable experience for young people.’ Isabel Macbeth - Finance Apprentice ‘My Finance Apprenticeship has been very beneficial. I now feel I have varied and extensive accounts knowledge for someone who has studied for just one year. I feel it was a much better route into accountancy as I gained experience in working with accountants and different systems while studying towards a respectable qualification.’

Employer Satisfaction Scores 2011/12 Bucks Adult Learning Top performer for all Local Authorities nationally and top performer for local providers

Employer Satisfaction Survey Bucks Adult Learning Understanding your organisation’s training needs 9.10 Offering training and/or assessment in a flexible way to meet your needs 8.80 Communicating clearly with you throughout the process 8.80 The professionalism of the staff delivering training and/or assessment 9.00 How would you rate the benefits of the training/assessment to your organisation? 9.00 How satisfied or dissatisfied were you with the overall quality of the training/assessment? 9.10 How likely would you be to recommend this training provider to another employer seeking similar training 9.20 Overall 9.3 out of 10

Find out More? Contact details: Moira Hamer