Recruiting at any level is a time consuming and frankly challenging task especially if, like most construction businesses currently, there are multiple roles to fill.
For an industry deep in the midst of a skills shortage apprenticeships can offer a practical solution for bringing in new talent.
Apprentices add immense value to a business not only building skills capacity but also increasing workforce productivity.
There are numerous types of apprenticeships available in the construction sector, across a wide variety of roles and ability levels including intermediate, advanced, higher and degree level.
Apprenticeships provide on the job training and study, but the real benefit is that the employer and the apprentice are both supported by an external training provide who will take full responsibility for setting the course structure, assessing the apprentice’s development and organising exams.
When employing an apprentice there are a number of key points to consider and standards that the government expect you to meet.
Key requirements are:
- Apprenticeships must be a minimum of 12 months long.
- Each apprentice must receive 280 hours of guided learning and 30 hours a week – this includes any time spent on off the job training.
- Apprentices must receive training in Level 2 English and maths if they have not passed these subject at grade 4 (Grade C) at GCSE.
- Each apprentice will have to sign an Apprenticeship Agreement with their employer, which stipulates the framework of the programme.
- To provide at least the minimum wage for an apprenticeship and the apprentice’s age and give them the same conditions as other employees working at similar grades or in similar roles receive including holiday and sick pay.
The great news is that depending on the age of the apprentice the Government will fund up to 100% of the costs.
For apprentices under 19 doing intermediate or advanced courses there is 100% funding available and for apprentices aged 19 and over there is 50% funding available.
Employing an apprentice really does offer businesses an opportunity to nature home grown talent now to ensure that they have a skilled and engaged workforce for the future.