Recruiting an apprentice gives you the opportunity to train staff in the skills needed by your business. It’s also a great way to strengthen the local community, offering credible pathways to employment to young people in the local area.
96% of employers that take on an apprentice report benefits to their business.
Benefits include:
- Cost effective way to develop a skilled and qualified workforce
- Fill skills gaps and manage succession planning
- Introduce new ideas to your organisation
- Improve staff morale and retention
- Apprentices are highly motivated, eager to learn and loyal
- Much of the training is delivered ‘on the job’
- Funding is available to support the cost of training*
Which apprenticeships do we offer?
We offer a range of apprenticeships. Please search our list here.
What will the apprentice learn?
Much of the training will be undertaken ‘on the job’, supported by regular visits from a qualified assessor. The amount of time spent in college will depend on the apprenticeship, but will often be one day per week.
- Competence element: Apprentices will evidence the skills they have developed whilst working in industry. This will be assessed in the workplace by our appointed assessor.
- Knowledge element: Apprentices will consolidate ‘on the job’ learning through ‘off the job’ knowledge training, which will be taught at Totton College, at a training venue or your workplace.
- Functional Skills: Apprentices will learn Functional Skills in English, Maths and ICT. Some learners are exempt due to prior attainment.
- Employee Rights and Responsibilities (ERR): Apprentices will gain an introduction to the world of work and develop knowledge of employee rights & responsibilities, health & safety and equality & diversity.
- Personal Learning and Thinking Skills (PLTS): Apprentices will develop transferable skills: independent enquiry; creative thinking; reflective learning; team working; self-management; and effective participation.
Do I need to employ the apprentice?
Yes. The apprentice will become a member of your staff and will require a contract of employment, working a minimum of 30 hours per week (including training/assessment). The minimum wage for an apprentice is currently £3.90 per hour, although the national average apprentice wage for a typical 16-18 year old is between £140-£200 per week. For age 19+, the weekly wage can be higher, depending on previous experience, job role and previous qualifications.
How do we help you?
Totton College offers recruitment support to enable you to find the right apprentice for your business. Benefits of employing an apprentice:
- Receive a £1000 grant if you have less than 50 employees and you recruit an apprentice aged 16 to 18 (subject to eligibility)
- 90% of apprentices stay in employment after finishing their apprenticeship, with 71% staying with the same employer
- 96% of businesses report benefits from their apprentices, with 70% of employers reporting that apprenticeships improved their productivity or the quality of their product or service
- Totton College will appoint a Business Development Advisor to work with your company and complete an organisational needs analysis to identify the training solution that is right for your business
£1,000 16 to 18 incentive for employers
The Apprenticeship incentive for employers for 16 to 18 year olds has already helped thousands of employers to grow their business by employing an apprentice.
The incentive aims to support businesses to recruit an apprentice, where they would not otherwise be in a position to do so.
To confirm your eligibility and to find out more about apprenticeships, please contact the Apprenticeships Team at Totton College. For more information please call 0300 123 3385.
