HELP US EMPOWER YOUR WORKFORCE

Employers


We have a proven track record of successful training and a commitment to providing high-quality custom training which meets the specific needs of the employer and their staff.

Working in partnership with employers to ensure that we provide a training solution that will best benefit the workplace and staff, operating flexibly to accommodate an employer’s busy schedule.

Our strong reputation and team of experienced and qualified tutors mean you can trust us to support your staff to become the best they can be and our business development team will carry out an in-depth training needs analysis to really understand how you work and what you want our training to provide for you.


Apprenticeships ↓  Diplomas ↓


Apprenticeships

Apprenticeships are partially Government funded, so are often seen as better value for money for the employer. The way employer contribution is paid depends on whether you are a non-levy or levy paying employer.

Learners can not be charged for apprenticeships at any point.

If your payroll is less than £3 million, you will not automatically pay into the apprenticeships levy and are therefore a non-levy employer.

The Government will fund 95% of the apprenticeship course, the remaining 5% will be invoiced to the employer by the training provider at the start of the apprenticeship.

At present, non-levy employers can have a maximum of 10 apprentices at any one time.

Non-levy employers can apply to levy paying companies for a Levy Transfer.

If your organisation has a payroll of over £3 million you will pay a contribution (0.5% of your total payroll) into the apprenticeship levy. This is part of your PAYE payment.

This goes into your Digital Apprenticeship Service (DAS) account. The DAS can only be used to fund apprenticeships and is topped up by a further 10% by the Government.

Payments are made from the DAS to the training provider every month. If there are insufficient funds in your levy account we will be advised and be required to raise an invoice to you for 5% of the shortfall.

If you have excess funds in your levy account you can opt to transfer up to 25% to a non-levy paying employer to support the wider community with apprenticeship training.

You will need to set up a Digital Apprenticeship Service (DAS) account to secure funding. Don’t worry though, we can help you with this .

All apprentices are approved by the employer through the DAS.

From your DAS you will:

  • Start, stop and pause apprenticeships
  • Manage apprentices
  • Manage apprenticeship funds

Employers will be required to allow apprentices to learn while earning. Part of the agreement is that they will be granted time working towards meeting the Knowledge, Skills and Behaviours required. The time allowed must be 20% of their contracted hours.

Employers will be required to allow apprentices to learn while earning. Part of the agreement is that they will be granted time working towards meeting the Knowledge, Skills and Behaviours required. The time allowed must be 20% of their contracted hours.

Activities that can meet the 20% Off-the-Job requirement:

  • Mentoring, such as shadowing colleagues or coaching, is a practical way to learn and allows the apprentice an opportunity to share best practice through demonstration and questioning.
  • Role play or simulations of possible scenarios is an effective way to connect theory and practice, without the pressure of being in the situation. This allows apprentices to understand complexities of dealing with situations.
  • Practical Training isn’t just limited to the classroom, it can also include online learning, such as e-learning, webinars and Ted Talks
  • Studying sessions for research, completing coursework, projects or assignments.
  • Completing workplace reflective journals - written or recorded
  • Contributing to online forums relevant to their role and occupation
  • Attending conferences, industry shows or competing in competitions
  • Visiting other departments or businesses
  • Completing further training (if relevant to their apprenticeship)

Activities that do not meet the 20% Off-the-Job requirement:

  • training to acquire knowledge, skills and behaviours that are not required in the apprenticeship standard;
  • progress reviews or on-programme assessment required for an apprenticeship standard;
  • training which takes place outside your normal working hours; or
  • Functional Skills training

Read more in our 20% off the job section.

Employers ongoing involvement with the apprenticeship process is critical to success.

Apprenticeships work best when apprentices have a mentor in the workplace that can contribute to their development. This includes contributing to the learning journey at the start of the apprenticeship and meeting regularly with the apprentice and tutor for Progress Reviews.

See our section on the Employer's ongoing commitments for more information.

Progress Reviews are a funding requirement, but are also an integral part of celebrating success, identifying development areas and checking that the apprentice is on target.

They are an opportunity for all parties to voice what they feel has gone well and if there are specific focal areas going forward. From an employer’s point of view, it may be that there has been a change in working practice, or a new customer type has been introduced to the setting.

One of the funding requirements is that the apprentice must evidence achievement of maths and English.

The level required depends on the level of apprenticeship.

Many individuals find the idea of sitting exams for maths and English daunting. Our tutors have a wealth of resources to support apprentices build confidence and successfully develop their skills.

Level 2 apprentices must evidence achievement of maths and English to Level 1 (this is the equivalent to GCSE grade D-G (1-3).

Level 3, 4 and 5 apprentices must evidence achievement of maths and English to Level 2 (this is the equivalent to GCSE grade C (4) or above.

Learners may have already achieved to the required level. If this is the case, we will require a copy of the relevant certificate (or be able to identify the achievement from the Learner Record Service) so that we can exempt them from this requirement.

If learners do not have an exemption, we will support them to achieve the necessary level of Functional Skills qualification.

The end date for the functional skills elements required will be before the end of the apprenticeship. The apprenticeship cannot be achieved without evidence of achievement, so it is imperative that learners do not leave this element.

You must pay apprentices at least the National Minimum Wage.

There’s different rates of pay for apprentices depending on their age and what year of their apprenticeship they’ve completed.

The contract of employment should make it clear what wage you’ll pay your apprentice and for what hours.

See the Government website for up to date information regarding pay and conditions for apprentices.

Health & Social Care employers can potentially claim additional funding from the Workforce Development fund.

Skills for Care offer additional funding for some completed health and social care courses. These include apprenticeships.

  • Level 2 Adult Care Worker - £1,000
  • Level 3 Lead Adult Care Worker - £1,300
  • Level 4 Lead Practitioner in Adult Care - £1,550
  • Level 5 Leader in Adult Care - £2,000

Diplomas

Diplomas are vocational qualifications designed to support an individual in development of their knowledge and skills in the workplace. Often, a diploma is contained with an apprenticeship and provides a structure for the qualification.

There are many benefits to choosing diplomas over apprenticeships.

These include:

  • Completion at the learner’s pace
  • No maths and English exams
  • No 20% off the job requirement
  • No End Point Assessment Exam
  • Workforce Development Fund eligible (for health and social care settings)

Skills for Care offer additional funding for some completed health and social care courses. These include diploma.

  • Level 2 in Adult Care - £600
  • Level 3 in Adult Care - £800
  • Level 4 in Adult Care - £1,050
  • Level 5 Leader in Adult Care - £1,500

Norton Webb does not currently have access to any Government funding for diplomas where they do not form part of an apprenticeship, therefore, the cost is greater than an apprenticeship. This cost can be paid by the employer, learner or a combination of the two.

  • Level 2 Diploma - £1,000 (inc VAT)
  • Level 3 Diploma - £1,300 (inc VAT)
  • Level 4 Diploma - £1,550 (inc VAT)
  • Level 5 Diploma - £2,000 (inc VAT)