Apprenticeships are the 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
There are real business benefits to taking on apprentices. This section outlines these benefits as well as answering other questions you may have about Apprenticeships.
The Apprenticeship programme has been designed to help your employees reach a high level of competency and performance and with over 180 different types of Apprenticeships, there’s bound to be a place for an apprentice in your organisation.
Improve your bottom line
Apprenticeships deliver real returns to your bottom line. In a recent survey,*the majority of employers said that Apprenticeships helped them to improve productivity and to be more competitive. They also said that training apprentices is more cost effective than hiring skilled staff, leading to lower overall training and recruitment costs.
What does the training provider do?
TTE will provide an employer representative who will be able to support and guide you.
They will work with you to: help you decide which Apprenticeship is right for you, explain the way that Apprenticeships might work for you and if funding is available and agree a training plan with your apprentice.
TTE can also recruit an apprentice or support your existing staff into Apprenticeships, manage the training and evaluation, ensure that national quality standards are met and deliver integrated coherent training.
What is an Apprenticeship?
They are work-based training programmes designed around the needs of employers, which lead to nationally recognised qualifications.
Who are they for?
You can use Apprenticeships to train both new and existing employees. Funding is usually available to train apprentices.
How are Apprenticeships developed?
Business representatives from the relevant industry sector work with the Sector Skills Councils to develop the course content; because they genuinely understand your business the training will be relevant for your industry.
What does it involve?
An Apprenticeship includes the following components:
- A minimum of 30 hours per week paid employment
- A knowledge based element
- A competency based element
- Transferable or “Functional Skills”
- A module on employment rights and responsibilities
How long does it take?
The length of an Apprenticeship varies depending on prior skills levels of the apprentice, the qualification being obtained and industry sector. Generally, Apprenticeships take between one and four years to complete.
Levels of Apprenticeships
There are three levels of Apprenticeship available for those aged 16 and over:
1 – Apprenticeships Level 2 (equivalent to five good GCSE passes)
Apprentices work towards work-based learning qualifications such as an NVQ Level 2, Functional Skills and, in most cases, a relevant knowledge based qualification such as a Technical Certificate or BTEC. These provide the skills you need for your chosen career and allow entry to an Advanced Apprenticeship.
2 – Advanced Apprenticeships Level 3 (equivalent to two A-level passes)
Advanced apprentices work towards work-based learning qualifications such as an NVQ Level 3, Functional Skills and, in most cases, a relevant knowledge based certificate such as a BTEC. To start this programme, the applicant should ideally have five GCSEs (grade C or above) or have completed an Apprenticeship.
3 – Higher Apprenticeships
Higher apprentices work towards work-based learning qualifications such as an NVQ Level 4 and, in some cases, a knowledge-based qualification such as a foundation degree.
Apprentices can also progress to higher education, including university degrees.
TTE Apprenticeship Training Agency Limited
TTE Training Limited have a subsidiary company, TTE Apprenticeship Training Agency Limited, which enables us to employ apprentices on behalf of sponsoring employers. This is particularly useful for those employers where direct employment may create a barrier to engaging with apprenticeships. If this service may be of interest to your company please contact us.