How is my business going to benefit from an Apprentice?
How is my business going to benefit from an ‘Carpentry or Joinery apprentice?
On completion of this apprenticeship, carpentry and joinery workers will be able to:
- Work safely and be aware of key health, safety and welfare issues.
- Plan and carry out their work to commercial standards of quality and speed.
- Move, handle and store resources, such as materials and timber components, complying with relevant legislation & guidance.
- Interpret and follow verbal and written work instructions from trade supervisors and site managers
- Select the required materials to carry out the work, such as correct timber, tools and fixings.
- Access, interpret and use drawings and specifications to carry out their work.
On completion of this apprenticeship, site carpenters will have acquired occupational skills to be able to:
- Carry out a range of job tasks including measuring, marking out, fitting, cutting, splicing, finishing, positioning and securing.
- Install door and window frames, door and hatch linings, floor joist coverings, straight partitions and straight staircases.
- Install doors, ironmongery, service encasements, wall and floor units and fitments, cladding and staircase components.
- Erect inclined roofs with gables, joists, roof coverings and roof components.
- Repair or replace frames, mouldings, doors, windows, door and window ironmongery, roofing components, guttering and downpipes and window components.
- Use, maintain and store hand tools, power tools and associated equipment.
On completion of this apprenticeship, site carpenters will have the occupational knowledge to:
- Understand the technical principles of site carpentry work and how these are applied to prepare and fix timber and timber- based products, erect inclined roofs, maintain and repair building components.
- Understand how to form specific joints required for site carpentry work, such as mitres, butt and halving joints
- Understand why, when and how health and safety control equipment should be used when undertaking site carpentry work (e.g. personal protective equipment (PPE) and respiratory protective equipment (RPE).
- Understand how to work safely at height and use access equipment correctly.
- Know how to use, maintain and store hand tools, power tools and associated equipment.
On completion of this apprenticeship, architectural joiners will have acquired occupational skills to be able to:
- Carry out a range of job tasks including drawing, measuring, marking out, fitting, finishing, positioning and securing
- Produce setting out details for the manufacture of doors, windows and opening lights, units and stairs
- Mark out timber from setting out details for the manufacture of doors, windows and opening lights, units and/or fitments and staircases.
- Create, fit and assemble components to manufacture doors, windows with opening lights, units and/or fitments and staircases
- Use, maintain and store specific architectural joinery tools and equipment, such as marking and testing tools, power tools and hand tools
On completion of this apprenticeship, architectural joiners will have the occupational knowledge to:
- Understand the technical principles of architectural joinery and how they are applied in routine tasks, such as, setting out and producing cutting lists, marking out from setting out details and producing cutting lists, fitting and assembling routine products.
- Understand how to accurately take site and workplace dimensions.
- Understand how to form and proportion joints associated with architectural joinery work, such as mortice and tenon, dovetail and comb joints.
- Understand why, when and how health and safety control equipment should be used when undertaking architectural joinery work (e.g. personal protective equipment (PPE) and respiratory protective equipment (RPE).
- Understand how to use, maintain and store marking and testing tools, hand tools, power tools and associated equipment.
- Understand how to requisition architectural joinery materials, such as timber, adhesives and fixings.
- Understand how to work at height and use access equipment safely.
What will this cost my business?
Since April 2017 the way that government funds apprenticeships in England has changed. All businesses operating within the UK with a wage bill of over £3 million are required to contribute to the apprenticeship levy monthly via HMRC.
- If the levy applies to your business you will be required to pay 0.5% of your entire wage bill into the levy. This will be offset against a levy allowance worth £15,000 for each tax year
- You will only be able to use your levy payment for government backed apprenticeships through providers who are registered on the Register of Apprenticeship Training Providers
- Levy payments will expire after 18 months.
From April 2017 all existing apprenticeship frameworks and new apprenticeship standards (often referred to as trailblazer standards) will be allocated to Government funding bands.
Funding bands determine the maximum amount of money that Government will contribute for the training delivery and end-point assessment of each apprenticeship. All approved apprenticeship standards have already been allocated to funding bandings with maximum funding caps.
If you take on an apprentice who is between 16 and 18 years old at the start of their apprenticeship, you will receive a payment to help meet the extra costs of employing them. This will be paid to you through the training provider in two £500 instalments at 3 months and 12 months if the apprentice continues in learning beyond this point.
Non-levy paying employers will need to contribute 10% of the maximum funding band as published by the Skills Funding Agency for the delivery of training and assessment for their apprenticeship. Levy paying employers will pay the full cost of the agreed funding band using their Digital Apprenticeship account. Where there are no longer funds in this digital account the Government will co-invest 90% of the funding with the levy paying employer being the asked to contribute the remaining 10% on a monthly basis.
Levy paying employers can estimate their funding contributions through the use of the free Funding Apprenticeship Systems calculating tool.
The agreed funds will be taken from the employer’s digital account to pay the training provider, up to a maximum amount of funding allocated by Government to that particular apprenticeship.
For non-levy paying employers the Digital Apprenticeship Service will not be available until at least 2018. They will need to discuss and agree a price with their training provider.
Does the apprentice have to attend college?
College attendance of 1 day a week will be required throughout the duration of the apprenticeship and attendance will be confirmed post-application.
How is the apprentice assessed?
Students will develop underpinning knowledge and practical skills in order to advance to the final assessment. In order to be allowed through the ‘gateway’ to sit the End Point Assessment (EPA) apprentices must have successfully completed the L2 NVQ Diploma and have the minimum requirement of Maths and English at level 1 and take the English and Maths tests at L2. The End Point Assessment is made up of a short written test and a practical skills test.
Apprentices must achieve a Level 2 National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) to demonstrate competency in their chosen occupation
- Pathway 1: NVQ Level 2 Diploma in Wood Occupations – Site Carpentry
- Pathway 2: NVQ Level 2 Diploma in Wood Occupations – Architectural Joinery
Apprentices must complete, or have previously completed recognised English and Mathematics Level 1 qualifications and aspire to achieve English and Mathematics Level 2 qualifications during the apprenticeship.
Assessment will take place both during and at the end of the apprenticeship, with completion being dependent on successful achievement of the qualification elements and the endorsement of the employer after a professional discussion, with the apprentice and training provider.
What about support in the workplace?
The college provide support in the workplace through designated progression meetings involving both the apprentice and the employer. This review process is informed by the college course leader and teaching staff, and is then communicated through a discussion held between you the employer, the apprentice and the college training advisers at this point. Technical college staff will be on hand at any time to provide support additional to the arranged meeting points.
Why should I choose Colchester Institute to support my recruitment and retention?
Apprenticeships – What we can offer
Colchester Institute is the largest college provider of apprenticeships in Greater Essex. We are expert at connecting the right people, to the right training, to the right business and when it comes to Apprenticeships, our Apprenticeship Advisors can support your business every step of the way.
As part of our service we can support your business with:
- Advertising the Apprenticeship vacancy
- Manage the applications received in line with your individual requirements
- Match prospective candidates already known to us
- Conduct initial pre-screening for candidates
- Carry out visits to your premises alongside regular reviews to support you, your staff and your apprentice
- Advice on any grants or funding where available
Our team will provide:
- A fee free recruitment service.
- Personal 1:1 Apprenticeship Levy advice and guidance.
- A dedicated Account Manager.
- Industry experienced, professional, technical tutors.
- Bespoke programmes available upon request.
- An Essex priority skills focus.
- Free employer events.
