Government Apprentice Scheme

[Paulzx]

Hello All,

Has anyone got any experience of getting a trainee on the current Government apprentice scheme?
We're looking for a school leaver really - or if that doesn't work out, someone a bit older, for a trainee position at work, and I thought I would look at the aforementioned apprenticeship as I know it's funded, to what degree I don't know but anything helps.

What I really want to know though are the pitfalls or short comings, these things always have pro's and con's and I have no experience of using this scheme, I'm sure plenty of others have tried it though?

 

[IanSuth]

I dont have experience of using but do have experience of siting on a local committee with people who run companies involved in managing apprentices and also from the local colleges

From what they say I would say - contact the local college that does the courses you want your apprentices to be covering as the study part of their apprenticeship - ask them whether they manage it direct or have a provider/s who manage the program and then speak to them, they have all the details and rules

There are a lot of scammers ringing around saying they will get you x y or z govt money for taking on an apprentice etc etc - there are also many companies telling people they are on apprenticeships when they are not as a way of basically paying them pittance wages.

 

[Paulzx]

Thanks Ian. I've been looking on the government web page about it, it tells you all the stuff about how to get into it, but of course there's no way of knowing if it's really any good. They do pay towards it though so I suppose it lessens the cost of wasting your time if the candidate is no good, which most aren't to be honest because kids don't want to work these days. Every now and again you find a good one but it's rare.

I've gone the College route before, we're a sign manufacturer so they don't really cover that at College, that's why I'm thinking of just looking for a School leaver, to give a chance to someone who just wants to work and learn things. Probably a long shot lol.

 

[IanSuth]

Thanks Ian. I've been looking on the government web page about it, it tells you all the stuff about how to get into it, but of course there's no way of knowing if it's really any good. They do pay towards it though so I suppose it lessens the cost of wasting your time if the candidate is no good, which most aren't to be honest because kids don't want to work these days. Every now and again you find a good one but it's rare.

I've gone the College route before, we're a sign manufacturer so they don't really cover that at College, that's why I'm thinking of just looking for a School leaver, to give a chance to someone who just wants to work and learn things. Probably a long shot lol.

There are specific rules re apprenticeships- as far as i am aware you will need to partner with some educational body to ensure that side of things is covered. Remember to all intents and purposes the school leaving age is now 18 with those between 16 & 18 in work having to be on a recognised training scheme

What skills are you wanting your "apprentice" to learn that could be provided by a college (ps where are you in the country)

 

[IanSuth]

Entry-level apprenticeships down 72% since 2014

Entry-level apprenticeship starts in England have plummeted, while higher-level apprenticeships, often taken up by older people, have boomed.

www.personneltoday.com

 

[Paulzx]

There are specific rules re apprenticeships- as far as i am aware you will need to partner with some educational body to ensure that side of things is covered. Remember to all intents and purposes the school leaving age is now 18 with those between 16 & 18 in work having to be on a recognised training scheme

What skills are you wanting your "apprentice" to learn that could be provided by a college (ps where are you in the country)

We're on the Isle of Wight, there is a large local college here, the apprentice would be learning sign manufacture generally so it encompasses a wide range of things. It's either that or just find someone of around that age that we just take on as minimum wage trainee type of thing

 

[Mr D]

Entry-level apprenticeships down 72% since 2014

Entry-level apprenticeship starts in England have plummeted, while higher-level apprenticeships, often taken up by older people, have boomed.

www.personneltoday.com

Indeed. Have seen level 4 and level 5 apprenticeships be pushed in some companies as ideal for staff looking to progress in the company or in the field.
Generally to older staff who have multiple years experience in the job.

Getting their management to agree the day release can be challenging I hear. Your best staff go to a 4 day week for a couple of years ..... not always wanted.

 

[IanSuth]

Indeed. Have seen level 4 and level 5 apprenticeships be pushed in some companies as ideal for staff looking to progress in the company or in the field.
Generally to older staff who have multiple years experience in the job.

Getting their management to agree the day release can be challenging I hear. Your best staff go to a 4 day week for a couple of years ..... not always wanted.

my brother works for a big accountants as a partner - he used to go to schools giving careers talks on starting with them on a degree apprenticeship rather than going to uni.

They are used to paying for people to do training and they can get them to do drudge work whilst they learn plus not have to pay a graduate salary (to repay student loans) as they do that drudge work. The apprentices end up with a degree after i thin 5 rather than 3 years but are also further towards being ACA qualified by then and with savings not a debt

 

[IanSuth]

We're on the Isle of Wight, there is a large local college here, the apprentice would be learning sign manufacture generally so it encompasses a wide range of things. It's either that or just find someone of around that age that we just take on as minimum wage trainee type of thing

Yeah i guess that restricts you a lot as the solent costs a fortune to cross regularly so means it is Newport college or nothing. Are there no marine type education trusts who could teach some of the practical aspects or an art college - i dont know your trade to know if it is more arty based or practical screwdriver and jigsaw

 

[Paul FilmMaker]

Thanks Ian. I've been looking on the government web page about it, it tells you all the stuff about how to get into it, but of course there's no way of knowing if it's really any good. They do pay towards it though so I suppose it lessens the cost of wasting your time if the candidate is no good, which most aren't to be honest because kids don't want to work these days. Every now and again you find a good one but it's rare.

I've gone the College route before, we're a sign manufacturer so they don't really cover that at College, that's why I'm thinking of just looking for a School leaver, to give a chance to someone who just wants to work and learn things. Probably a long shot lol.

My experience is it depends on the hire because at the end of the day, I'm the person who picks the employees for my business. I hired a phenomenal GenZer for my marketing. She's incredible. Smart, motivated, driven. Everything. I have to tell her to stop working because she's so focused on success!

 

[Paulzx]

Yeah i guess that restricts you a lot as the solent costs a fortune to cross regularly so means it is Newport college or nothing. Are there no marine type education trusts who could teach some of the practical aspects or an art college - i dont know your trade to know if it is more arty based or practical screwdriver and jigsaw

No, the College art degree course has been a good source of recruiting people that can do CAD type work but what we're looking for is a practical all rounder workshop, manufacturing type role. The main objective is to give an opportunity to a youngster, limit the financial cost while we can assess the potential, and teach them the various skills etc. The idea is to gain a long term employee. I can advertise on the job sites of course but considered the apprentice schemes to help the funding.

It may just be simpler to just to advertise and get a minimum wage school leaver without doing any schemes

 

[Paulzx]

My experience is it depends on the hire because at the end of the day, I'm the person who picks the employees for my business. I hired a phenomenal GenZer for my marketing. She's incredible. Smart, motivated, driven. Everything. I have to tell her to stop working because she's so focused on success!

Sounds like a result, and it's great when you get a good candidate, you don't mind paying a bit more. My experience has not been quite as good. Generally my employees stay in the firm for a long time because it's a good job and good working environment, but when new people have started in recent years, only one out of every four or five are any good. Most younger generation types don't really want to work, they just want to be paid for not working. Now and again you get one that's good but it's rare.

 

[Paul FilmMaker]

Sounds like a result, and it's great when you get a good candidate, you don't mind paying a bit more. My experience has not been quite as good. Generally my employees stay in the firm for a long time because it's a good job and good working environment, but when new people have started in recent years, only one out of every four or five are any good. Most younger generation types don't really want to work, they just want to be paid for not working. Now and again you get one that's good but it's rare.

I know it sounds crazy but I've had to force her to stop working. She works weekends etc... She's amazing, absolutely phenomenal and I know it sounds insane but I'm slightly humbled that she would want to work for my little video production firm. I think she'll be off sooner rather than later because someone will see how good she is and just dump a truckload of cash on her. Really good marketing people are in short supply.

This is her: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/paul...eerbuilding-activity-6898261399043485696-iqCB

 

[Paulzx]

I know it sounds crazy but I've had to force her to stop working. She works weekends etc... She's amazing, absolutely phenomenal and I know it sounds insane but I'm slightly humbled that she would want to work for my little video production firm. I think she'll be off sooner rather than later because someone will see how good she is and just dump a truckload of cash on her. Really good marketing people are in short supply.

This is her: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/paul...eerbuilding-activity-6898261399043485696-iqCB

Yeah you've got lucky there. Totally agree though, when they're that ambitious and good at what they do, they will always be looking for the next opportunity - now that's the problem you have hiring someone who's too good haha!

The best employees are somewhere in between, good enough to be an asset to the business but not so driven that they just want to move on all the time. Employing people and managing them is the most difficult thing about running a business. I've always said that.

 

[Paul FilmMaker]

Yeah you've got lucky there. Totally agree though, when they're that ambitious and good at what they do, they will always be looking for the next opportunity - now that's the problem you have hiring someone who's too good haha!

The best employees are somewhere in between, good enough to be an asset to the business but not so driven that they just want to move on all the time. Employing people and managing them is the most difficult thing about running a business. I've always said that.

Also, you mentioned pay and strangely, I didn't have to pay more. I increased her salary a bit after 3 weeks but the initial salary wasn't above market. Sure, I'm paying her a bit more now but nothing crazy. When things get crazy, she'll leave and go elsewhere because she's good enough that she can work for a massive company earning tons of money.