How is my business going to benefit from an Apprentice?
How can I fit this apprentice into my business?
This standard is for employers looking to recruit and train people to design, install, maintain and support communication networks within an organisation or between organisations.
Typical job roles this standard can apply to within the IT infrastructure of a business include Network Technician, Network Engineer, Systems Engineer and Network Administrator.
They will understand network configuration, cloud, network administration and monitoring tools, and be able to give technical advice and guidance.
Recognised professional qualifications such as CCNA, MCP, CCNA Security are built into the course, that your apprentice will bring back to the business, providing value for money and a return on investment by bringing back up to date knowledge from college.
Your apprentice Network Engineer will bring technical skills and knowledge back to your business including:
- The ability to use Network Monitoring tools to monitor network for signs of anomalies and then address any issues before they affect service
- Be able to resolve network related issues and restore normal operations as quickly as possible
- Provide direction and guidance in troubleshooting network issues
- Being able to carry out network changes following correct procedures
- The application of network device upgrades
- The installation and configuration of network devices
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?
College attendance of 1 day per fortnight for a teaching session will normally be required over the two years of the course. This will be in conjunction with further online learning and also assessment in the workplace. Our well-equipped labs will allow apprentices to carry out practical work and set up test systems in a safe environment.
How is the apprentice assessed?
There are assessments both during the programme and at the end; these are based on portfolios, synoptic projects, employer references and structured interviews with assessors. Apprentices must also achieve one internationally recognised vendor or professional qualification in the area of Network Principles, Network Systems or Network Security. Examples of vendor or professional qualifications are CCNA, MCP, CCNA Security.
What about support in the workplace?
Skilled and knowledgeable staff must be available to support the apprentice as they complete work-based tasks and build a portfolio.
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 experts 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 trainers.
- Bespoke programmes available upon request.
- An Essex priority skills focus.
- Free employer events.
