An apprenticeship is ‘work- based learning’ enabling employees to combine working in their chosen industry with studying towards occupational standards set by employers, learning on-the-job alongside experienced colleagues in the workplace.

Apprentices earn while they learn, gaining valuable skills and knowledge in a specific job role, enabling organisations to equip new staff with the skills the business needs.

Throughout their training, apprentices are supported by college staff who work closely with individual employers to ensure that the skills apprentices are learning are what is required by the business and that they will achieve their full potential and career aspirations.

Apprenticeships are available to anyone over the age of 16 and can be used to train new staff or upskill current employees.

Apprenticeships provide real, measurable business benefits:

• Better productivity: An impressive 96% of employers who take on an apprentice report benefits to their organisation, and estimate each apprentice increases their company’s productivity by £214 per week.
• Lower costs: Apprenticeships for 16-21-year-olds is fully funded – which means it won’t cost the company anything – and is a cost-effective way of training new staff.
• Exemption from NI contributions: Employers are exempt from paying Class 1 NI contributions for apprentices under the age of 25 with a salary of less than £50,270 per year ( £967 per week) – yielding savings of around £3,000 per year for an apprentice on an annual salary of £25,000.
• Better training: All training and assessment is arranged and delivered by the college, so employers can concentrate on running their business knowing that they and their apprentice will be supported throughout the programme.
• Better reputation: Many business owners say taking on apprentices helps them improve their image, both in their industry and in the local community.
• Improve the organisation’s skills base: The government says skills shortages remain one of the biggest threats to UK businesses. Apprentices bring new ideas and a range of skills to benefit the organisation and take on more responsibilities as their training progresses.
• Motivate staff and reduce staff turnover: 88% of employers who employ apprentices believe that apprenticeships lead to a more motivated and satisfied workforce.