How is my business going to benefit from an Apprentice?
How can I fit this apprentice into my business?
The apprenticeship scheme is a great way to employ and build your team. The chef can gain dedicated skills and knowledge and enhance those standards to higher levels with the knowledge that they will receive throughout the course. The chef de partie will gain knowledge on food management systems and running of sections in the kitchen. The chef de partie will be able to move from section to section, with no or little guidance.
A chef de partie can then utilise and development of the commis chefs in the kitchen to become a very skilful member of staff, who then can progress to chef de partie and manage sections or areas of the kitchen.
What will this cost my business?
From April 2017 the way that government funds apprenticeships in England will be changing. All businesses operating within the UK with a wage bill of over £3 million will be 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?
Enrichment and college days will be a mandatory part of the course when required and will be determined post-application.
How is the apprentice assessed?
- This Qualification will be assessed within the workplace under the mentorship of your head chef and your team. You will receive regular face to face visits from one of our qualified industry veteran assessors, to measure your development and assess the tasks which that have been set between visits
- Online multiple choice theory assessments
- On job training to also be deployed when required by assessor to enhance knowledge and skills of business menus and seasonal dishes
- College attendance for functional skills
- Quarterly mock test to support further development towards final exams
What about support in the workplace?
The role will include close mentoring by senior chefs of the kitchen brigade, supporting them in the development of skills and knowledge within a five day, normal working week. The chef de partie will have regular visits by the assessor to set actions for you to complete on a timely basis. All the criteria that will be needed to pass the end assessment will be covered.
Supported in the development of working in a safe, hygienic working environment.
What we offer as a company
- Online knowledge with access to videos to support all preparation and advanced cooking methods
- Monthly face to face visits
- Assessors with over 18 years of cooking experience
- Hands on training supplied by assessors/ trainers
- 12 – 18 month courses
- Enrichment days and college days to enhance skills
- Digital portfolios
- Interview techniques
- Functional skills teachers based within the college
Why should I choose Colchester Institute to support my recruitment and retention?
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.
