75

%

of apprentices are still with their original employer 6 months after completing an Apprenticeship with us.

Starting Small?

Our Business Support Team understand the questions and barriers you may have hiring an apprentice as a smaller employer (less than 50 employees). We understand…

 

  • How to balance the needs of the apprentice with those of your business
  • How to navigate employer legalities and responsibilities for Apprenticeships
  • How to support an apprentice to ensure their success
small business apprentice funding
Talk to the team today

Contact our Business Support Team to discuss your apprenticeship requirements.

Why Derwent Training?
  • We know small and micro businesses
  • We make sure your apprentices are trained professionally and are the right one for you
  • We will guide and support you through the funding process
  • You can advertise your apprenticeship opportunities directly with us
  • We train all year round and your apprentice can start at any time.
How do Apprenticeships work?

Apprenticeships are a great option to invest in your future, by getting the talent that is right for you. This training route is ideal for small business with government funding available, and allowing you to shape your employees development.

Your apprentice will follow a dedicated training programme to help develop their skills and knowledge. One day a week your apprentice will attend our training centre, or conduct remote learning to work towards the units that make up their Apprenticeship Standard. The remaining days will be spent with you being supported to become competent in their role.

The best path to success for an apprentice is to ensure that it is the right person for you, as well as them being on the right Apprenticeship Standard for you and them. 

Of course, your apprentice won’t know everything at first, but with the right training and support from you and us, apprentices can quickly become valued members of your team. 

  • Get professional training for your up-and-coming team members
  • Tri-partite reviews between you, the apprentice and us
  • 20% apprentice time off-the-job learning and 80% on-the-job learning
Steps to hiring an apprentice

See how easy it is to take on an apprentice with Derwent Training. We support our employers throughout the full process, ensuring the correct employer/apprentice relationship

At McCain we like to pride ourselves on being the best and developing our talent from engineering apprentices is one of our top priorities. Good quality, multi-skilled food and drink engineers are very hard to come by so investing time and training in our own apprentices means we can grow them from within to be the engineers of the future.
Your responsibilities as an apprentice employer
Employee Rights

Your apprentice should have the same conditions as all other employees working at similar grades, or in similar roles. This includes paid holidays, sick pay, any benefits you offer, and any support you offer such as coaching and mentoring. You should always supply your apprentice with a contract of employment and you should have a role available in which they can become competent as part of their Apprenticeship development.

Progress Reviews

Support your apprentice by participating in tripartite reviews every 10 weeks. This meeting is done between you, your apprentice and their trainer to discuss and agree progress. This is a funding requirement set by the Education and Skills Funding Agency and is an auditable document as part of your apprentices training programme. 

Training & Study

You must pay your apprentice for time spent training or studying for their Apprenticeship. If your apprentice is also studying for an English and/or Maths qualification that is required by their Apprenticeship, they are entitled to paid study time during their normal working hours.  All apprentices will be required to pass an End-Point Assessment (EPA) in order to gain certification. It is the employers discretion as to when their apprentice is ready for their EPA, but this must be within 3 months of their completion date. 

Health & Safety Assessment

The Education and Skills Funding Agency states that all apprentice employers must have a health and safety assessment of their workplace to ensure that all apprentices are working in safe conditions. As engineering falls in the high risk category this will be updated annually, but only once for the Team Leader and Supervisor Apprenticeship. We will also require a copy of your Employers Liability Insurance Certificate for audit purposes.

Working Hours

Your apprentice must work for 30 hours or more per week, which must include their off-the-job training. We will ask you for their working hours’ when doing their sign-up paperwork to work out the 20% off-the-job training requirement during the Apprenticeship.  Your apprentice is required to complete 20% off-the-job learning as part of the Apprenticeship and this will be regularly audited by the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA). Your apprentice needs to log their off-the-job training on their e-portfolio. Your apprentice’s trainer will discuss this during their tripartite progress reviews.

 

Apprentice Wages
You must pay your apprentice at least the National Minimum Wage which you can find atwww.gov.uk/national-minimum-wage. The apprentices contract of employment should make it clear what wage you will pay your apprentice and for what hours.
Getting started with an apprentice

Do you have an apprenticeship opportunity to advertise? List your vacancy with us today to find the future of your business.

Apprenticeship Funding

Unsure how the funding works? Check out our explainer for small business apprentice funding

About us

Learn more about Derwent Training

Our Team

Learn more about the team that will be training and supporting you

Our Training Centre

Find out about the facilities and training provision we can offer here

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