Why Apprenticeship
Apprenticeships are a combination of on-the-job training with classroom learning. You’ll be in employment while studying for a formal qualification. Once you complete your apprenticeship training, you will have gained the skills and knowledge needed to either succeed in your chosen career or progress onto the next apprenticeship level or further education.
The knowledge and skills you learn depend on the role that you’re training for. However, apprentices in every role follow an approved study programme, which means you’ll gain a nationally-recognised qualification at the end of your apprenticeship.
These qualifications can include:
- Functional skills – GCSE level qualifications in English, Maths and ICT
- National Vocational Qualifications (NVQs) – from level 2 up to level 7
- Technical certificates – such as BTEC, City and Guild Progression Award etc
- Academic qualifications – including a Higher National Certificate (HNC), Higher National
- Diploma (HND) foundation degree or the equivalent of a full Bachelors degree
You’ll also be constantly developing your transferable skills, also known as soft skills, which are highly valued by employers. These include communication, time management, teamwork and problem solving, as well as knowledge of IT and the application of numbers. Apprenticeship levels.
There are 3 different levels of apprenticeship we deliver:
- Intermediate – equivalent to five good GCSE passes
- Advanced – equivalent to two A-level passes
- Higher – equivalent to the first stages of higher education, such as a foundation degree
Available Courses
Assessor/Coach Level 4
Lead Adult Care Worker Level 3
Children, Young people and Families Manager Level 5
Chef de partie Level 3
Adult Care Level 2
Business Administrator Level 3
Children, Young people and Families Manager Level 4
HR Support Level 3
Team Leader
Digital Marketing Level 3
Senior Leader (A Leader Who Has Senior Management Responsibility)
Length of Apprenticeship
The length of your apprenticeship will depend on several factors, such as the level of the apprenticeship, your chosen sector, employer requirements and your individual ability. Apprenticeships will usually last between one and two years. Their length follows a basic framework:
- Intermediate apprenticeships typically last between one year and 18 months
- Advanced apprenticeships typically last between one year and 18 months
- Higher and degree apprenticeships take a minimum of one year and 18 months to complete
Pay Rates & Working Hours
The hourly rate for the minimum wage depends on your age and whether you’re an apprentice. Apprentices are entitled to the apprentice rate which is £4.81 if they’re either aged under 19 or aged 19 or over and in the first year of their apprenticeship. Any apprentice aged 19 or over who has completed their first year in employment will be able to claim the National Minimum Wage, which is currently £6.83 per hour (for individuals aged 18-20) or £9.18 (for individuals aged 21-24) as of April 2022. The rates change every April.
This pay rate states the minimum entitlement – it is possible for some employers to pay a higher wage. You’ll also be entitled to:
- sick pay
- additional benefits such as healthcare plans and childcare vouchers
- at least 20 days of paid holiday per year
Use the GOV.UK Holiday Calculator for an accurate workout of your exact entitlement. Your working hours will vary depending on your employer, however, you will be required to work no more than 40 hours per week or any less than 30. shifts.
The sector you work in will determine the nature of your daily working hours – while most apprentices can expect to work from 9 am to 5.30 pm every day with an hour lunch break, those in hospitality or healthcare roles may be expected to work antisocial
Learners
Is an Apprenticeship for you?
If you want to get your career going or give your existing career a boost, an Apprenticeship is a great place to start. An Apprenticeship is a work-based learning programme that helps you to develop professional skills and gain a nationally recognised level 2-5 qualification while earning a salary – making it an excellent career choice.
As an Apprentice, you are guaranteed:
- To earn a salary
- Get paid holidays
- Receive training
- Get one-to-one support from our expert Assessors
- Gain qualifications
- Learn job-specific skills
- Gain skills that employers want
- Excellent progression routes
- Apprentices earn a wage in a job and work alongside experienced staff to gain job-specific skills. Off the job, usually on a day-release basis, you will receive training to acquire the knowledge to underpin practical work-based skills and work towards nationally recognised vocational qualifications.
- Apprenticeships can improve an organisations productivity, performance and profitability, and are an effective means of filling skills gaps in the current and future workforce.
- Apprenticeships normally take one to two years to complete depending on the level of study, your ability and the industry sector.
We offer a range of Apprenticeship frameworks that are applicable to a wide range of industries. We work with employers to create Apprenticeship programmes that allow employees to quickly progress within their field on the job, through our supported Apprenticeship programme.
Do you Qualify?
In order to undertake an Apprenticeship, you will need to have a job with a contract of employment for at least 30 hours per week or have a firm offer of employment within your chosen occupational area.
If you don’t have a job and are looking for vacancies, log onto the National Apprenticeship Service website at www.apprenticeships.org.uk and register your details. Alternatively, we may be able to support you in finding an Apprenticeship placement. We have some fantastic opportunities with great employers.
To find out more, please contact our Business Development Team on 020 7258 2711 or email business.development@cwc.ac.uk to be invited to one of our Apprenticeship recruitment days.
Non Levy Employer
Employers with an annual pay bill of under £3 Million do not have to pay the apprenticeship levy tax.
As an employer that doesn’t pay the apprenticeship levy, you pay just 5% towards the cost of training and assessing an apprentice.
The government will pay the rest (95%) up to the funding band maximum.
You’ll pay the training provider directly and agree on a payment schedule.
Employer Levy
The employer levy was introduced in the United Kingdom in April 2017. All employers with a payroll bill of over £3 million each year, must pay the apprenticeship levy. You will report and pay your levy to HMRC through the PAYE process. The levy will not affect the way you fund training for apprentices who started an apprenticeship programme before 1 May 2017. You’ll need to carry on funding training for these apprentices under the terms and conditions that were in place at the time the apprenticeship started.
How to use the apprenticeship service
Register to use the service. If you are a levy-paying employer, you can now create an account on the apprenticeship service to:
- Receive levy funds for you to spend on apprenticeships
- Manage your apprentices
- Pay your training provider
- Stop or pause payments to your training provider