Supporting SME Businesses Through Key Partners

June 2013 Sue Price

Divisional Apprenticeship Director

National Apprenticeship Service

The ServiceThe National Apprenticeships Service was established in2009 to help match employers with potential apprentices. NASis part of the Skills Funding Agency.

Since 2009 NAS has supported over 100,000 employers andover 1million potential apprentices through the deployment of Apprenticeship materials, tools, systems and services.

NAS recognises that Trade Associations and Sector bodiescan play a key role in supporting Apprenticeships in theirindustries.

During this time the Apprenticeship product range grown from 170 to 280 frameworks, including growth in Higher Apprenticeships from 8 in 2011 to 45 currently online or in development

National Apprenticeship Service

The ServiceNAS can help to support trade bodies to…… define there sector needs by providing Apprenticeship information andintelligence

provide access to the materials, tools, systems and services that theGovernment has already invested in and which can be bespoken.

Awareness raising – access to the marketing collateral, templates, case studies, etc which have already been developed. These can then be bespoken to include messages / logos to attract employers and or individuals as required in plans.

Through you we will offer a free service to your members and theemployers they support that includes ……

(There are packs available for you to take away today containing all the information you need – visit the NAS stand)

National Apprenticeship Service

Support for SMEs Employer Support NAS has teams of experienced Apprenticeship Employer Account managers they can support work with employers and a Small Business Service Via an 0800 free phone number and website. Trade Bodies areas can use this service to promote their offers, answer incoming enquiries etc

Apprentice recruitmentThe Government has invested in a national vacancy matching site, this can be used to help match local supply and demand. Trade bodies can use the service to offer a selection and applicant sifting service for their local employers.

Celebration NAS can help you to celebrate your Apprenticeship successes through graduation events, trade press campaigns etc

National Apprenticeship Service

Support for SMEs

Access to the Apprenticeship Grant for Employers (AGE)In 2012-13 and 2013-14 the Government has made available a subsidy of £1,500 for employers with less than 1,000 employees who take on a 16-24 year old as an Apprentice. Up to 10 grants a year are available to employers that have not employed apprentices in the previous 12 months

Bursary For Apprentices in the Childcare Sector A new bursary launched on May 29th this is a £1,500 per Apprentice (not employer) scheme led by Elizabeth Truss, Childcare and Education Minister. This is not a NAS / Agency led scheme but details will be placed on our website

National Apprenticeship Service

Developments 2012-13

Introduced a dedicated SME support team

Jason Holt, FSB, BCC, AoC, AELP,,,, SME development group

Published Service Standards for ourselves and the training providers we refer to – a public commitment to SMEs

Produced reports for each training provider to identify who are most responsive to employers and reduced referrals to those who aren't

Made the £1,500 AGE grant more flexible and easier to access

Introduced flexible, additional units for Apprenticeships at SMES

Linked to local and sectoral campaigns and services

National Apprenticeship Service

Online Search Tool• A Holt recommendation

• Search by job role – intelligent prompting,,

• Reveals who has delivered that Apprenticeship within specified area

• The providers success rates for the Apprenticeship framework where available

• The national success rates for that framework as a comparison

• Contact details for employers to be able to contact training providers directly

• The NAS 0800 number is displayed at all times for the employer

• A link to the FE Choices comparison site for Ofsted grades and more information

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National ApprenticeshipService

Find an Apprenticeship Training Organisation

What it looks like

Find an Apprenticeship Training Organisation

National Apprenticeship Service

Results Performance in 2012-13

• Handled 25,000+ employer enquiries – most from employers of less than 25

• Average response time of 1 working day (KPI is 2 days)

• Employer satisfaction with SBT consistently over 85%

• 25,000 SMEs (80% sub 50) received the AGE grant (£1500)

National Apprenticeship Service

Business Benefits Employers get more than they expected

Top 5 anticipated benefits

45% to improve or maintain skills32% to train people as employer wants or in their ways14% improve productivity10% social responsibility9% create diverse workforce

Top 5 benefits experienced

72% improved productivity69% improved staff morale67% improved product or service quality66% improved image in sector65% improved retention

Source BIS 12-813 evaluation of apprenticeship employers

http://www.bis.gov.uk/assets/biscore/further-education-skills/docs/e/12-813-evaluation-of-apprenticeships-employers