CELEBRATING APPRENTICESHIPS
Apprenticeships are changing
Seven ways you can make the new apprenticeship standards work for your business from Bath College.
The government is changing the way apprenticeships are funded and delivered. As part of this, apprenticeship standards are replacing the old apprenticeship frameworks. To help businesses get up to date, we’ ve put together a quick guide with some important tips.
WHAT ARE APPRENTICESHIP STANDARDS? Apprenticeship standards are replacing the old apprenticeship frameworks – these are a document covering the statutory requirements for an apprenticeship programme.
The new standards are being developed by‘ trailblazers’ which are employer-led groups. The aim is make sure qualifications are rigorous and suit the needs of employers
How can I make the new standards work for my business?
1. Embrace an alternative route into industry You may have seen the news about plans to recruit apprentices within the police force for the first time. New apprenticeship standards are being developed to offer alternative career routes. Take a look and see if new options are available to you as an employer.
2. Look at the apprenticeship standards which already exist for the roles within your organisation The standards show what an apprentice will be doing and the skills required of them. Each standard will include details like the duration of the apprenticeship, core knowledge and entry requirements.
3. Consider whether your current training programmes are suitable for future apprenticeships If you currently run training programmes for your staff, you need to be thinking whether these are suitable for conversion to apprenticeship programmes.
4. Could roles within your organisation be included on a higher apprenticeships programme? The traditional view of apprenticeships revolves around employing young people from school at 16 into lower level positions within industry.
Whilst this is still the case for a number of apprenticeships, it is not the whole story. Apprenticeship programmes can go up to NVQ Level 6, the equivalent of an undergraduate honours degree.
This means that the next generation of engineers, computer developers and chartered accountants can be trained under apprenticeship programmes.
5. You have purchasing power – make sure you use this. As part of the new system, businesses can choose where to spend funding for an apprentice. Use your purchasing power to make sure your apprentices are getting highquality and relevant training with the right training provider. Our apprenticeship team at Bath College is onhand to offer expert advice.
At Bath College, we work with businesses to help them develop apprenticeship programmes in line with their training needs. Our priority is to help your company grow and make sure you maximise the return on your investment. Contact the Bath Training & Apprenticeship Hub to find out about more about how our team could help your business.
What Bath College employers say...
“ You get a better fit hiring apprentices. It gives them the opportunity to try you out and you have the opportunity to try them out, to show them your way of working. That’ s the benefit of getting someone straight from college- you get someone fresh who will learn your style, adapt and take on who you are as a business.”
European Student Placement Agency( ESPA UK)- Business Administration apprentices
“ We’ re working with Bath College because we like to use local people and to give young people an opportunity. I want to train up people that will be with us over a number of years”.
Bath Aqua Glass Jewellery Making apprentices
“ The apprenticeship team at Bath College is very good at keeping us in the loop. As an employer I have so much going on and since we’ ve come to Bath College it’ s been the easiest group of apprentices I’ ve had to deal with. I think our team can see how the apprentices apply what they’ ve learnt at college – it’ s certainly reflected in their work when they come back to us.”
The Bristol Port Company- Electrical Engineers, Mechanical Engineers and Fabric Welding apprentices
For more info: www. bathcollege. ac. uk apprenticeships @ bathcollege. ac. uk 01225 328720
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