So, you’ve read our webpages and probably looked at the Government’s apprenticeship scheme website and still found it all confusing. Train4All are here to help and guide you through the process of taking an apprentice.
The team are on hand to support you with recruitment and the administration, but here are some answers to concerns or questions e may not have answered or you may have:
I don’t see the need for apprentices
If you have a payroll bill of more than £3m in England, you will be paying for them, regardless. The Apprenticeship Levy collects 0.5% of your wage bill via HMRC and uses the cash to fund apprenticeships. If your business falls into this category, it makes sense to use your money rather than lose it. You have 24 months to do so, before your money goes into the general 'pot'. Why subsidise training at other firms? You get back 110% of your costs, so are effectively paid to use up your Levy money. Win win situation!
I’m not looking to recruit new people
Not a problem. The Apprenticeship scheme covers the upskilling of current staff, as well as the recruitment of new trainees. Providing you are offering your staff new knowledge or skills; this is an acceptable way to spend your Levy.
Is it just about young people?
No. Apprentices can be any age now. With the working years now expanded, more than a quarter are now over 50. Many employees find older apprentices bring useful life experience to their teams.
My business is too small to pay the Apprenticeship Levy, but I still would like to take on an apprentice: Is there cash for me?
In a word, yes. Depending on your company’s size, funding can pay for 95% of apprenticeship costs, rising to 100% if you’re a small (49 or less employees) company taking on a 16- to 18-year-old in this role.
There are also one-off payments to encourage small enterprises who do not currently have apprentices to join the scheme, as well as grants for offering apprenticeships to certain groups of people – such as those who have been under local authority care.
It’s worth noting that the 5% SME’s contribute towards apprenticeships is still a better way of getting staff trained than simply sending staff to get an NVQ.
Won’t apprentices be off studying all the time? I employ people to work
Your apprentices will spend 80% of their time with you. The current requirement is for 20% “off-the-job” training. With train4All this is delivered via day-release on a set daily pattern.
I’ve employed young people before and not been too impressed with their literacy or numeracy
Improving on this area has been the Department for Education’s number one target and young people can now not leave education until they meet a minimum standard. Money is available through the apprentice scheme for those taken on who need extra help with English and/or maths.
I have some critical companies in my supply chain and I’d like to share my Apprentice Levy with them. Can I?
Yes, you can share 10% of your Levy with other businesses. This can be a good way of improving inter-business relationship, and it ensures unused funds are not wasted.
I want to take on apprentices on an ongoing basis, rather than just for 24-months
There is cash funding for this, even after you Apprenticeship Levy “pot” has been exhausted. Up to 95% of costs can be recouped, if you meet the criteria.