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Apprenticeships for Employers – FAQs

Are you considering hiring Apprentices to add new talent to your business?

Our Training Arm Capital City College Training (CCCT) provides free support for employers looking to start an Apprenticeship Scheme. Here we answer all your questions about Apprenticeships and the hiring process.

Apprenticeships for Employers – FAQs
Apprenticeships for Employers – FAQs

Recruiting an Apprentice

How do I recruit an Apprentice?

When you recruit an apprentice, you are developing your organisation’s next generation of talent. Whether your apprentice roles are in a hospital or a busy office, our free recruitment service for employers will help you employ an apprentice. This can expand your workforce so your business can thrive in the changing economy.

Start your free recruitment consultation today. Employers can call us on 0207 391 6400 or email: employer@capitalcct.ac.uk. Read further guidance from GOV.UK: Employing an apprentice: a technical guide for employers.

Why choose a CCCT Apprenticeship?

We have links with more than 500 organisations and hundreds of business leaders. These networks equip us with the scope and insight to design our courses for a range of industry occupations.

Our apprenticeships cover a variety of work sectors – from business and commerce to health and social care. Our specialist applied science and digital and technical apprenticeships are helping businesses take advantage of the opportunities in the new economy.

Our experienced teachers and trainers have hands-on industry expertise. All our programmes are designed to fit relevant apprenticeship standards, the industry-approved map of core skills and knowledge needed for a particular job. We will work with you to customise the training to suit your business. We can create an apprenticeship which will create the future workforce for your business and industry.

Maximise available funding

Apprenticeships are funded training, supported either by the government’s apprenticeship levy or a 90% government contribution. We will help you understand the new funding arrangements and incentives to make the most of the training funding available for your business.

You might not be aware that your business is already paying into the apprenticeship levy, or how you can access the money. We are on hand to guide you through the process.

Screening and selecting applicants

Our resourcing team will help you promote your vacancy, interview and shortlist applicants – all completely free of charge for employers. CCCT will help you find the right apprentice, whether you are hiring a new recruit or developing someone from your existing team.

We will work with you to design programmes that are uniquely relevant to your workplace. This means your workforce is ready for the future and responsive to our ever-changing and challenging landscape.

Free recruitment support

Each year, more than 100,000 business leaders in over 170 industries employ apprentices across the UK. As part of our dedicated offer for employers, CCCT provides a free, fully managed apprenticeship service. We will help you hire an apprentice who is the right fit for your organisation and manage their training programme from induction to certification.

Our apprentices are working in a number of business sectors, including:
– IT and digital design
– Healthcare and social care
– Management and team leading
– Digital media, administration and customer service
– Hospitality and culinary arts
– Science
– Facilities and property management
– Legal services and accounting

You can find our full list of apprenticeship sectors and industries here.

Apprentices who complete our training are work-ready and equipped with externally recognised and quality-assessed qualifications. Some are award-winners in their sectors, advancing working practices with resourcefulness and dedication. Our founding colleges are a source of high-quality candidates. With around 27,000 students, you have a choice from some of the UK’s brightest talent.

Why Hire an Apprentice?

What are the benefits of hiring an Apprentice?

An apprenticeship helps you to build a better business by equipping your workforce with improved skills and qualifications. The government wants to have 3 million apprenticeships by 2020. With the new government levy and apprenticeship training funding incentives, now is the best time for you to hire an apprentice.

Business leaders that recognise the benefits of hiring an apprentice know the rewards it can offer – from enhancing workplace culture to increasing efficiency and productivity. As the capital’s premier training provider, a CCCT apprenticeship will help you transform your business.

Tailored, targeted training

An apprenticeship provides training that is tailored to employers and targeted to your workplace needs. Whether you want to train your next generation of managers or expand your digital marketing team, you can choose the apprenticeship which is most beneficial to your business.

Working in partnership with our founding colleges, Westminster Kingsway College, The College of Haringey, Enfield and North East London and City and Islington College, we are one of the largest further education organisations in London. Our expert trainers and assessors use their strong business networks and knowledge to provide relevant training that adds economic value to your business.

Qualified and motivated staff

Apprentices are eager to learn and add energy and enthusiasm to your workplace. At CCCT, a diverse range of people apply for our apprenticeships. You can expect applicants of any age, some of whom are looking to change careers and are excited to work in a new industry.

CCCT training solutions help you nurture and motivate your current workforce, this is combined with a quality and credible training programme which demonstrates your commitment to business excellence. This increases staff morale and helps improve staff retention.

CCCT works with employers to design programmes that are uniquely relevant and responsive to our ever-changing and challenging landscape. The benefits of hiring an apprentice mean that you should start the process as soon as possible to find the best apprentices for your business.

General Questions

What is an Apprenticeship?

A work-based training programme that allows individuals 16+ to gain Knowledge, Skills and Behaviours in a particular subject area, whilst working and attending college workshops. A Nationally Recognised Qualification is gained at the end of the apprenticeship duration.

Apprenticeships allow individuals to earn while they learn, get new skills and knowledge whilst working, and progress within an organisation or career path. For employers, hiring an Apprentice is an opportunity to recruit motivated employees and teach them the skills that their organisation needs.

Our training and support programmes for Apprentices include:

  • Mentoring with industry professional teachers
  • Skills development plans relevant to the Apprentices’ role
  • On-site additional industry and soft skills training
  • Access to the college’s state-of-the-art training facilities

What is the commitment for the employer?

Employer commitment consists of allowing apprentices to evidence 20% off-the-job training. Employers are also responsible for training in the workplace and paying the apprentice a wage (London Living). The line Manager must attend meetings with the apprentice and their dedicated assessor every 6-8 weeks to assess progress and support needed.

What is the cost of an Apprenticeship?

Each apprenticeship standard has a cost attached to it, so the price will vary. Employers are required to pay the apprenticeship cost including the wage of the apprentice. At CCCT we work with employers who pay a minimum of £6.50 per hour. If an employer is Non-Levy (find out about the Apprenticeship Levy), we have 3rd Parties we work with that can support the cost of an apprenticeship where needed in a process called a Levy Transfer.

In order to pay for the apprenticeship, employers need to set up an account on the Digital Apprenticeship Service (DAS). All employers whether Levy or Non-Levy need to do this. Here is a video of how employers can do this.

Can Apprentices work part time?

When recruiting an apprentice, the minimum working hours must be 30 hours per week. When training an existing member of staff (Upskill), we take into consideration a variety of different working hours.

What are Functional Skills?

If an apprentice hasn’t already achieved their Maths and English GCSE’s or Equivalent Grades A*-C or Grades 4-9, we have funding that allows us to deliver this for free, either before enrolling onto an apprenticeship, or during an apprenticeship (depending on the timetable).

What is needed from me to complete the enrolment process?

A Contract of Training Provider Services, Completion of Health and Safety Questionnaire with the support of an Employer Liability Insurance Certificate, Setting up of the Digital Apprenticeship Service (DAS), and Adding Apprentices onto the Digital Apprenticeship Service (DAS), Apprenticeship Agreement, Commitment Statement, Payment Schedule.

When enrolling learners, employers need to add apprentices to their DAS Accounts. Here is a video on how to do this.

In order to pay for the apprenticeship, employers need to set up an account on the Digital Apprenticeship Service (DAS). All employers whether Levy or Non-Levy need to do this. Here is a video to how employers can do this.

How do I know what apprenticeship is the right choice for my business needs?

An initial introduction meeting will be required with an Account Manager so we can identify the employer’s training needs. We will look at the Job Description the employer provides and discuss with Curriculum Managers to see which apprenticeship best fits the need of the employer. Once an apprenticeship has been identified we can move forward with enrolment.

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