Guide to Apprenticeships 2013/14

www.bishopaucklandcollege.ac.uk | [email protected] | 01388 825 830

APPRENTICESHIPSEmployer Guide

*Subject to funding terms and conditions

£1500GrantAvailable*

2 /bacoll /bishopcollege EMPLOYER GUIDE TO APPRENTICESHIPS

Apprenticeships are designed to meet the needs of your business. Over the past few years the Government has revised the apprenticeships blue print, working closely with the Sector Skills Councils and employers to develop new apprenticeship frameworks that are relevant to your business.

The new apprenticeship programmes are a robust set of qualifications that include a National Vocational Qualification (NVQ), Technical Certificate, Employment Rights, Personal Learning and Thinking Skills, Functional Maths, Functional English and for some programmes Functional ICT.

Apprenticeships offer young people the opportunity to learn on the job with an employer, building up knowledge and skills whilst gaining qualifications and valuable work experience.

There are two standard levels of apprenticeship: Apprenticeships Level 2 and Advanced Apprenticeships Level 3. In recent years, in recognition of the importance of higher-level skills that are needed to perform certain jobs, Higher Apprenticeships are gradually appearing in certain sectors. These comprise of Level 4 and Level 5 qualifications including, in many cases a Foundation Degree.

The Government is keen to offer vocational career paths supported by the apprenticeship provision that will allow employers to recruit a young person and train them from Level 2 up to Foundation Degree level.

Bishop Auckland College works with over 250 local employers listening to their requirements and responding by developing frameworks relevant for their businesses.

INTRODUCTION TO APPRENTICESHIPSApprenticeship programmes are an opportunity for you to employ ambitious and eager individuals that you can train up to your way of working - an ideal way for succession planning for your business and growing your own talent.

“We have recently employed three apprentices thanks to Bishop

Auckland College, who have been extremely helpful and professional.

The staff are always welcoming and are happy to assist with any query

or issue. We would have no hesitation in approaching the college in the

future or recommending them to others.”

Laura Croft at AHA Medical Services, Durham

3www.bishopaucklandcollege.ac.uk EMAIL: [email protected] TEL:01388 825 830

John named business apprentice of the year

ProgrammesBishop Auckland College offers flexible delivery models that fit with your business needs. Some programmes can even be fully delivered in the workplace with no need for the apprentice to attend College. We offer apprenticeship programmes in the following occupational areas:

•Brickwork •Business Administration•Business Improvement

Techniques •Catering & Hospitality •Childcare & Education •Cleaning & Support Services •Customer Service •Hairdressing •Health & Social Care •Housing • Joinery

•Maintenance Operations •Motor Vehicle •Painting & Decorating •Performance Manufacturing

Operations •Performing Engineering

Operations•Plumbing •Retail •Social & Digital Marketing• Team Leading & Management •Warehousing & Storage

Spennymoor-based livin employs 170 people, including 18 apprentices, and bosses pride themselves on developing talent – 40 per cent of the workforce started their careers as apprentices or trainees. In September livin was named one of the North East’s best apprenticeship employers in the regional final of the National Apprenticeship Awards 2013.

John Greenwood, 19, has hugely impressed his employers at livin since joining in October last year with his outstanding work and enthusiasm. Having been nominated three times already as a rising star in livin’s own awards scheme, he has now been named Business Apprentice of the Year in the South Durham Business Awards.

John works in livin’s communities team and is studying for his apprenticeship with Bishop Auckland College. His manager Janice Hall said: “John is now crucial to day to day work, he certainly makes my job easier. When faced with a problem he seems to always come up with an answer; frankly some of the work he has completed in his first year has been outstanding.”

John, of Spennymoor, said: “I feel I have quickly fitted into my team and the organisation and I feel valued for my contributions. It has been great to see my ideas come to life whilst supporting the team.”


Plumbing apprentice best in the north of EnglandMatthew Phillippo, a Plumbing apprentice at Bishop Auckland College, received the prestigious J.B. Wilkinson Shield award from the Chartered Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineers after recently completing a Level 2 Apprenticeship in Plumbing and Domestic Heating.

The 18 year old, who works for K Hewitt & Co in Bishop Auckland, said: “I am honoured and privileged to have received such a prestigious award. I would like to thank my employer Craig Hewitt, who was willing to take me on as an apprentice, and Bishop Auckland College andmy tutor Peter Roe for supporting me on my course and equipping me with the knowledge and experience that I have gained.”

Why take on an apprentice?Because it’s good for business. Skills shortages are still one of the biggest threats to UK businesses.

Apprenticeships can help businesses across all industries by offering a route to harness fresh talent. If you have trained staff with the right skills for the job they can do a wider range of tasks and take on new responsibilities - this can help reduce skill shortages, minimise staff turnover and workplace accidents and increase productivity.

Financial Support for ApprenticesThere has never been a better time to recruit an apprentice. The government is currently offering a grant worth £1,500 to help you with the cost of employing an apprentice. You are eligible once the apprentice has been with your company for at least 13 weeks*.

81% of businesses think

that employing apprentices

generated higher overall

productivity for their

company

Taking on an apprentice is cost effective because your people can learn while they’re on the job and the government contributes to the costs of learning.

*Payment terms and conditions apply


What will Bishop Auckland College do?When you take on an apprentice, you’ll have all the necessary support and guidance you need from the College’s Employment Services Team.

The team will help you select the right apprenticeship programme for your business, advertise the position for you on the National Apprenticeship Website, shortlist the candidates ready for you to interview and recruit.

You’ll have a single point of contact within the team and once you have recruited an apprentice an assessor will visit your premises at least once a month to support with the delivery of the programme and to monitor the apprentices progress and discuss any points you want to raise.

You will be contacted regularly to ensure you are happy with both the programme of delivery and the support your apprentice is receiving from the College.

Stormking WindowsBen Hopkinson has been taken on as an apprentice at Stormking Windows (manufacturers of UPVC windows and doors) based at South Church Industrial Estate, Bishop Auckland. Stormking Windows has been in business for 21 years and employs 15 people, the business relies on a good reputation through referrals from its customers and has never advertised.

young people to support the work we do.”

Ben said: “I enjoy working here, everyone is helpful. I have been able to easily transfer my joinery training into the work I do which includes measuring, cutting the window profiles and welding them together using machinery to manufacture windows, doors and conservatories.”

Neil Clarey, owner, said: “We were looking to train a new young apprentice and we have all been delighted with Ben’s progress. The college has been great and we are now looking to take on another apprentice as it is important that we train more


Your Commitment

Bishop Auckland College Commitment

What To Do NextIf you are ready to take the step to recruiting an apprentice please call the Employment Services Team on 01388 825837 or email: [email protected]

Once you have recruited your apprentice you are making the commitment for the duration of their apprenticeship programme which is between 12 months and 48 months for more technical programmes.

You must be able to provide sufficient training and supervision to enable your apprentice to learn the range of skills relevant to the job and support them to achieve their apprenticeship framework.

The apprentice must be employed between 30 and 40 hours per week which includes any time spent at College for day release, or if they are following a flexible model, time to complete College work.

The apprentice is employed by you and should be treated the same as any other member of staff in relation to your policies and procedures. Sometimes apprentices may need support in

developing their soft skills or employability skills - especially if they are 18 or under. We recommend appointing a mentor for your apprentice. Usually this is someone from outside the apprentice’s hierachy where any issues can be discussed confidentially.

Both you and the apprentice will have a six week probationary period. This gives you and your apprentice time to work together and decide whether to continue with the apprenticeship. It is important that you use this probationary period wisely to assess your apprentice’s work ethic, reliability and potentional to succeed within the apprenticeship programme.

As an employer you must ensure all legal and contractual obligations relating to health and safety and employment law are met.

Bishop Auckland College will recruit your apprentice with integrity ensuring all apprentices are initially assessed to a framework that covers Maths, English, ICT, Employability Skills, Personal Learning and Thinking Skills.

The College will offer additional support to apprentices when necessary to ensure they complete their apprenticeship framework on time. The College will offer support to the employer if any disciplinary or employability

issues need to be adressed.

Feedback and Continual ImprovementBishop Auckland College is committed to ensuring customer satisfaction is at the heart of what we do. Your feedback matters to us and we make significant efforts to continually improve our services by listening and responding to our customers. If you have any feedback about our services please contact us.

www.bishopaucklandcollege.ac.uk | [email protected] | 01388 825 830

APPRENTICESHIPSLearner Handbook

EARNWHILEYOU LEARN

2 /bacoll /bishopcollege LEARNER GUIDE TO APPRENTICESHIPS

INTRODUCTION TO APPRENTICESHIPSWell done on gaining an apprenticeship, you’ve taken the first steps on the path to your chosen career. Your apprenticeship will be delivered in partnership with your employer and Bishop Auckland College. This guide will explain to you what you can expect to happen during your apprenticeship programme.

The first six weeksThe first six weeks of your apprenticeship programme is a probationary period. This gives you the opportunity to make sure the apprenticeship is for you and that both your expectations and the expectations of your employer are met.

Your progress will be monitored in the first six weeks including your motivation, quality of work, attendance and attitude. You will also need to participate in a college induction that will take place on the first Friday of the month immediately after your start date. For example if your start date is the 17th June, your induction will take place on the first Friday in July.

What qualifications will you gain?NVQNVQ stands for National Vocational Qualification. The NVQ is a work related qualification; you will achieve this by demonstrating you have the ability to carry out the job you are training for.

Your assessor will support you by making regular appointments to come and see you in the workplace to help you progress through the programme.

Technical CertificateThe technical certificate is delivered ‘in the classroom’ at Bishop Auckland College or on a one-to-one basis with your assessor in the workplace - depending on the apprenticeship

you are doing, your assessor will advise you of which model you will be following.

Employment Rights & ResponsibilitiesEmployment Rights and Responsibilities (ERR) is a compulsory part of all apprenticeship programmes.

It ensures you have a full induction into the workplace and that you are aware of essential workplace rights and responsibilities.

The sooner you understand about your rights and responsibilities and those of your employer, the sooner you will be able to make a valuable contribution to the organisation.


PLTSPLTS stands for Personal Learning and Thinking Skills. There are six strands to PLTS: independent enquirers, creative thinkers, reflective learners, team workers, self-managers, and effective participants. You will develop these skills over the course of your apprenticeship.

Functional SkillsFunctional skills in maths and English are a compulsory part of all apprenticeship programmes and sometimes ICT depending on the apprenticeship framework.

You may be exempt if...You have GCSE at grade C or above and they were achieved within five years of starting your programme.

You have a Key Skill in communication, application of number and ICT that are dated within five years of starting your programme.

Please note: you are only exempt if the college holds copies of your certificates. If we don’t have a copy you must still complete the functional skills element.

What qualifications will you gain?


Your mentor is someone you can talk to in confidence about issues you may be having. If you work for a small organisation and you don’t have a mentor please contact the College who will assign a member of staff to be your mentor if you want one.

Additional Support If you require any additional support during your apprenticeship either with your qualifications or personal support with learning difficulties or disabilities please let your assessor know or contact the recruitment team. This can be anything that could affect you completing your programme.

From you Bishop Auckland College expects you to be committed to succeed with the apprenticeship by:• Working hard and sticking to your

employer’s rules and procedures • Accepting responsibility for your own

learning and asking for help when needed (from the college or work supervisors)

• Attending all required activities on time and accounting for any absences

• Being honest and trustworthy and willing to learn how to do your job well

• Being motivated to progress and develop your skills by completing all the required work between assessor visits

From your employerYour employer will support you in gaining your qualifications by:• Providing you with a contract of

employment• Ensuring you have appropriate on the job

work experience and sufficient time to achieve your individual learning plan

• Complying with all relevant Health and Safety legislation to provide a safe working environment

• Providing an induction into the workplace and participating with the review process

• Assigning a supervisor or mentor to support you at work.

From your mentor A mentor is someone who will support you in the workplace and help you with your personal development.

What is expected...


Key peopleWorkplace assessorA workplace assessor will be assigned to you for the duration of the programme.

The assessor will visit you within two weeks of the start of your apprenticeship and then every four to six weeks to carry out assessments.

The assessor will identify and agree your individual learning plan and ensure it is reviewed by you and your employer on a regular basis (at least every 12 weeks). They will also agree ongoing targets to ensure you achieve your learning plan, as well as providing ongoing support to you and your employer.

If you encounter any problems at work your assessor should be your first point of contact.

College recruitment teamThe college’s recruitment team help people secure apprenticeships, and they may even have helped you secure your apprenticeship.

The recruitment team will contact you at the beginning of your programme to see how things are going; they will also speak to your employer.

They are also available to offer advice and guidance if you experience any problems at work if your assessor is unavailable.

Health, safety and reviewing officerThe health, safety and reviewing officer will work with construction apprentices to carry out reviews and health and safety monitoring visits out on site.

Sector leadersSector leaders are responsible for the quality of your programme and work closely with workplace assessors. If at any point you are unhappy with your programme or assessor please contact your sector leader.

Employment services managerThe college’s employment services manager is responsible for all apprenticeship programmes and is in charge of the the recruitment team.

If you are unhappy about any aspect of your programme Bishop Auckland College wants to know about it, if we don’t know we can’t help you!

We also love to hear positive feedback and if you are impressed with the service you have received please let us know .


Key contacts

Completion of programmeOnce you have achieved the required modules of your apprenticeship programme you will be awarded a completion certificate. Your assessor will then talk to you about your next steps and other learning options available.

WithdrawalIf you decide to leave your employment or withdraw from your programme before your expected end date please contact your assessor or the recruitment team as soon as possible.

Exit guidance interviewIf you leave your programme, for any reason, we would like to meet with you so that we can gather feedback from you regarding your experience and offer advice on your next steps.

Your assessor will complete an exit interview with you where you can discuss your next steps, and can refer you to the college for an advice and guidance interview.

Name Position ContactCamilla Race Employment services manager [email protected]

01388 82582407764269247

Jonathan Hall Sector leader for business and management

[email protected] 443000 ext 3268

Allan Hamilton Sector leader for manufacturing and warehousing

[email protected] 443000 ext 3267

Sylvia Gibbons and Julie Vincent

Sector leader for services - customer services, retail, cleaning and support services, maths and English

[email protected]@bacoll.ac.uk01388 44300 ext 3270 / 3269

David Brough Recruitment team [email protected] 82583007826890256

Joanna Edwards Recruitment team [email protected] 443076

Julie Cook Recruitment team [email protected] 82583707919394576

Documents

Guide to Apprenticeships 2013/14