What is an apprenticeship?

An apprenticeship is a training programme leading to a nationally recognised qualification that is typically broken down into the following elements:

Hands-on, practical training leading to NVQ qualifications:

• With a focus very much on "doing", the first-hand manufacturing skills apprentices learn enables them to seamlessly fit into your business quickly.
• Our purpose-built training centre provides a safe but real-life, workshop environment for apprentices to work in, which minimises the amount of machine downtime when they enter your business.

Theory based, further education leading to a technical certificate (BTEC and/or City and Guilds):

• Naturally, there is a classroom element to all our training and apprenticeships. This is essential to ensure that all the practical skills our apprentices learn are built on a foundation of understanding the relevant theory too.

Provision of key skills teaching in Maths, English and ITC leading to a Level 2 or Level 3 Key Skills qualification: 

• It is essential that we prepare our apprentices with the skills to allow them to think independently. As such, we always ensure that they are proficient to a national level in the core subjects. This will enable them to improve their confidence and personal development skills and also move more swiftly through the academic side of the programme.

So, whilst at our heart we provide a nationally-recognised apprentice training programme, our unique depth of understanding and experience within the manufacturing sector means that we not only understand your needs, but can customise a training programme to meet your precise requirements. 

How much does it cost?

Government funding is currently available to fully cover the EEF apprenticeship programme for 16 - 18 year olds and part-funding for those 19 and over.

As an approved training provider our experienced team know how to quickly and efficiently gain access to this funding quickly and efficiently.

In addition, the apprentice must receive a salary throughout their training period. This often varies from business to business as well as on the skills and responsibility of the apprentice themselves. As of October 2011, the National Minimum Wage for apprentices will be £2.60 an hour during the first year of their apprenticeship.

Thanks to our involvement with hundreds of manufacturing businesses, we can provide you with sound advice on wage rates and salaries from businesses in similar positions to you. Similarly, we can draw on this experience to provide you with guidance and recommendations on things like terms of employment and contracts.

We can advise on industry average rates, giving you peace of mind that your apprentice is being compensated appropriately.

Whatever your questions about funding and administration, get in touch with us, we’ll be happy to discuss how we can help.

How long does an apprenticeship last?

An apprenticeship can last anything up to four years depending on the skills that you require that person to learn, although they typically last for three years depending on the skills you require the apprentice to acquire and also on the indvidual's learning pace. Our staff will work with you to advise on individual learning and development plans and appropriate time frames.

• Year 1 - Workshop Classes
  These provide apprentices with the practical and theory skills they need and are delivered at our purpose-built training centre in Birmingham or in partnership with a college local to your business.

• Years 2 & 3 - Workplace
  Once they've hit the required standard, the apprentice then enters your company and attends our training centre or local college one day a week for theory based teaching.

We often tailor apprenticeship training programmes to better meet a specific skills gap. We can provide additional “in-programme” training, visit your business to provide at-work mentoring (for the apprentice) or even training for you or your apprentice’s mentor. To discuss your specific training requirements, please contact one of our team here.

And even when the apprenticeship is complete, we can still provide additional training to ensure that the skills within the whole of your business grow with the demands placed upon it.