Supporting SME Businesses Through Key Partners June 2013 Sue Price Divisional Apprenticeship Director

National Apprenticeship Service The Service The National Apprenticeships Service was established in 2009 to help match employers with potential apprentices. NAS is part of the Skills Funding Agency. Since 2009 NAS has supported over 100,000 employers and over 1million potential apprentices through the deployment of Apprenticeship materials, tools, systems and services. NAS recognises that Trade Associations and Sector bodies can play a key role in supporting Apprenticeships in their industries. During this time the Apprenticeship product range grown from 170 to 280 frameworks, including growth in Higher Apprenticeships from 8 in 2011 to 45 currently online or in development

National Apprenticeship Service The Service NAS can help to support trade bodies to…… define there sector needs by providing Apprenticeship information and intelligence provide access to the materials, tools, systems and services that the Government has already invested in and which can be bespoken. Awareness raising – access to the marketing collateral, templates, case studies, etc which have already been developed. These can then be bespoken to include messages / logos to attract employers and or individuals as required in plans. Through you we will offer a free service to your members and the employers they support that includes …… (There are packs available for you to take away today containing all the information you need – visit the NAS stand)

National Apprenticeship Service Support for SMEs Employer Support NAS has teams of experienced Apprenticeship Employer Account managers they can support work with employers and a Small Business Service Via an 0800 free phone number and website. Trade Bodies areas can use this service to promote their offers, answer incoming enquiries etc Apprentice recruitment The Government has invested in a national vacancy matching site, this can be used to help match local supply and demand. Trade bodies can use the service to offer a selection and applicant sifting service for their local employers. Celebration NAS can help you to celebrate your Apprenticeship successes through graduation events, trade press campaigns etc

National Apprenticeship Service Support for SMEs Access to the Apprenticeship Grant for Employers (AGE) In and the Government has made available a subsidy of £1,500 for employers with less than 1,000 employees who take on a year old as an Apprentice. Up to 10 grants a year are available to employers that have not employed apprentices in the previous 12 months Bursary For Apprentices in the Childcare Sector A new bursary launched on May 29 th this is a £1,500 per Apprentice (not employer) scheme led by Elizabeth Truss, Childcare and Education Minister. This is not a NAS / Agency led scheme but details will be placed on our website

National Apprenticeship Service Developments Introduced a dedicated SME support team Jason Holt, FSB, BCC, AoC, AELP,,,, SME development group Published Service Standards for ourselves and the training providers we refer to – a public commitment to SMEs Produced reports for each training provider to identify who are most responsive to employers and reduced referrals to those who aren't Made the £1,500 AGE grant more flexible and easier to access Introduced flexible, additional units for Apprenticeships at SMES Linked to local and sectoral campaigns and services

National Apprenticeship Service Online Search Tool A Holt recommendation Search by job role – intelligent prompting,, Reveals who has delivered that Apprenticeship within specified area The providers success rates for the Apprenticeship framework where available The national success rates for that framework as a comparison Contact details for employers to be able to contact training providers directly The NAS 0800 number is displayed at all times for the employer A link to the FE Choices comparison site for Ofsted grades and more information.

National ApprenticeshipService Find an Apprenticeship Training Organisation What it looks like

Find an Apprenticeship Training Organisation

National Apprenticeship Service Results Performance in Handled 25,000+ employer enquiries – most from employers of less than 25 Average response time of 1 working day (KPI is 2 days) Employer satisfaction with SBT consistently over 85% 25,000 SMEs (80% sub 50) received the AGE grant (£1500)

National Apprenticeship Service Business Benefits Employers get more than they expected Top 5 anticipated benefits 45% to improve or maintain skills 32% to train people as employer wants or in their ways 14% improve productivity 10% social responsibility 9% create diverse workforce Top 5 benefits experienced 72% improved productivity 69% improved staff morale 67% improved product or service quality 66% improved image in sector 65% improved retention Source BIS evaluation of apprenticeship employers