How is my business going to benefit from an Apprentice?
How can I fit this apprentice into my business?
Regardless of whether you are large or small employer, an Infrastructure Technician Apprentice will benefit your business in several ways:
They will have been trained and assessed against a wide range of specially targeted technical skills that can help you set up and maintain an effective and secure IT infrastructure for your business; and be able to deal a wide range of routine and non-routine problems.
Employer groups, representing a wide range of UK businesses, have collectively identified the skills required for this apprenticeship and therefore you can be assured the skills learnt represent industry best practice. They also reflect technology development and practice, both now and in the immediate future.
The above, coupled with our highly experienced apprenticeship delivery team, will ensure that your apprentice will be able to help your business use communications technology more effectively.
Attention will have been also paid to developing their behavioural, thinking, team working and communication skills to ensure that the apprentice is able to contribute effectively in the modern workplace.
The final assessment process which is both independent and broad based will ensure that only apprentices that have shown genuine learning and competence across all areas, both technical and behavioural, will have been successful. They will also be graded on their performance adding to the motivation level and will encourage the apprentices to strive for excellence.
What will this cost my business?
The introduction of the Apprenticeship Levy in April 2017 has changed the way that government funds apprenticeships in England. All businesses operating within the UK with a wage bill of over £3million are required to contribute to the apprenticeship levy.
- 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.
- Levy payments will expire after 18 months.
Speak to an advisor at CI Business Solutions on 01206 712727 to make your levy payments work for you.
Non-levy paying employers will need to contribute 5% 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.
Employers with less than 50 employees who are recruiting an apprentice aged 16-18 years old will not be required to pay the contribution fee.
Any associated cost to the individual will be made clear at the interview.
As the largest college provider of apprenticeships in Essex, we can provide expert advice and guidance on all areas of apprenticeship provision, including helping you find the right apprenticeship for your business, recruiting apprentices, quality delivery and assessment with on-going support and advice.
Does the apprentice have to attend college?
The modules will be delivered through a mix of on the job and off the job training. Off the job training can be via classroom sessions or web based remote learning.
Attendance at college will be required for the class room based sessions but these will be a maximum of a one day a week and for a duration of 38 weeks
How is the apprentice assessed?
Apprentices will have their knowledge and skills formally assessed at relevant times during their apprenticeship by a range of tests and practical exercises. This will ensure they are ready to progress through a “Gateway” for the final assessment which is carried out by an end-point assessor who is independent of the employer and Colchester Institute.
This assessment will include
- a portfolio, “showcasing” all the knowledge and skills covered in the 5 modules
- a pre-defined project undertaken in controlled environment to cover a selected set of skills and knowledge
- a Reference from the employer covering how the employer has viewed the apprenticeship in terms of behaviour and performance.
- A final Interview with the Independent End Point Assessor to gather further evidence of learning and to complement the previous three methods. The concluding assessment will then lead to an overall grading decision – pass, merit or distinction.
This readiness to progress to the endpoint assessment will be decided by the employer and Colchester Institute.
What about support in the workplace?
Once they have started their programme, the apprentice will require mentoring and help in satisfying the requirements for endpoint assessment. This will involve: assisting the apprentice in assembling the portfolio to ensure that it meets the entire standard and is to a good quality; working with CI to choose a suitable project that will demonstrate the learning and allow the learner to carry out the project outside day-to-day work; provide a reference letter setting out your view on the quality of the apprentice’s work.
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.
