Apprenticeships – a fresh approach to growth
What are they?
Apprenticeships are work-based training programmes designed around the needs of employers, which lead to nationally recognised qualifications. They are a proven way to train your workforce. They can make your organisation more effective, productive and competitive by addressing your skills gaps directly, even in uncertain economic times.
Who are they for?
Apprenticeships can be used to train both new and existing employees. Because they are designed by Sector Skills Councils (part of the Skills for Business network) working with business representatives from the relevant industry sectors to develop the course content, the training will be relevant for your industry. The mixture of on and off the job learning ensures that apprentices learn the skills that work best for your business.
For the apprentices, apprenticeships are a different way of obtaining nationally recognised vocational qualifications allowing them to earn and learn.
Apprenticeships are open to anyone aged 16 and above who is employed within the industry. Applications are welcome from those without employment as we may be able to assist with finding employment within the industry.
When?
Programmes can take between 12 – 18 months to complete. Apprentices attend college on either a day or block release basis for 12 months. The remainder is spent in the workplace completing a portfolio of work.
Apprenticeships in Horticulture can start throughout the year. Apprenticeships in Trees & Timber start
between September and December.
How much?
The training delivered within the apprenticeship programmes is free to employers for any apprentice aged 16-18 but a reasonable contribution towards training costs is required from employers for apprentices aged 19 and above.
Minimum wages are £2.50 per hour for all apprentices aged under 19; and apprentices aged 19 or over in the first year of their apprenticeship. This applies to time working plus time spent training that is part of the Apprenticeship. Employers are free to pay above this new national minimum wage.
What’s covered?
Each apprenticeship is a package of learning which includes a Diploma (in Work-Based Horticulture or Trees and Timber); Key Skills; a First Aid Certificate and training for Certificates of Competence which can include pesticides and chainsaw units. All apprenticeships are very practical programmes and concentrate on teaching the relevant skills required by the industry. For this reason the programme is much favoured by employers.
Where does the training take place?
Most of the training is ‘on the job’ at your premises. The rest will be provided by us. Apprentices work alongside their employer to put into practice the knowledge and skills they have learnt at college.
