Do you need skilled workers to stay ahead of the competition and move your business forward?

By placing talented people at the heart of your business, an apprentice gives you:

• Cost effective access to people resources
• A source of increased productivity
• A loyal employee for the future.

The Apprenticeship Programme allows young people to be given practical training that is relevant to your business. Much of the training is delivered within the workplace so that:

• The apprentice is working for you whilst they learn
• You help shape the worker that you need
• Once qualified, they already know how your business works.

As well as other business benefits that come from choosing an apprentice, your business also gets an injection of latest thinking and best practice from your industry, providing the impetus for future growth and success.

The programme delivers the essential knowledge needed to do the job at our state-of-the-art facilities within Grantham College and combines it with work-based training founded on the latest industry national standards - keeping you at the leading edge of people development and ahead of the competition.

Engagement with the Apprenticeship Programme will deliver a number of benefits to your business:

• Improve productivity - your apprentice will quickly become a real asset, improving productivity and competitiveness by letting you take on more jobs
• Effective teams - cultivate strong, motivated teams by developing your own people
• Future Security - by giving your apprentice a start in their career you create a loyal workforce. Passing on your knowledge and skills to the next generation not only gives you a sense of personal achievement, but raises the profile of your business. The most important asset that your business has is its people. A professional team of people that has received structured training, combining work-based learning with College study, will give your customers confidence that your business can deliver.

The apprentice is working for you whilst they learn. You help shape the worker that you need.

The programme delivers the essential knowledge needed to do the job at our excellent facilities within Grantham College, and combines it with work-based training founded on the latest industry national standards - keeping you at the leading edge of people development and ahead of the competition.

Apprentices are employed by your company and must be paid a salary that reflects their skills, experience, age and ability.

Paying Apprentice Wages

From October 2011 the Government introduced a minimum wage rate for apprentices of £2.60 per hour. The new rate will apply to:

• Apprentices under 19
• Apprentices aged 19 and over but in the first year of their Apprenticeship

Need advice on minimum wage?

The pay and rights helpline is 0800 9172 368

or visit

www.direct.gov.uk 

Your commitment to your apprentice:

• Provide opportunities for training and relevant experience within the workplace
• Allow time for your apprentice to study and attend training at yes
• Encourage your apprentice to undertake further studies
• Attend regular progress reviews Provide a contract of employment. In return, you get a valuable and loyal asset to your business.

The Skills Funding Agency (SFA) manages Apprenticeships as a national programme through its network of training providers. You can find out more from their website:

www.apprenticeships.org.uk

To get the most from the Apprenticeship Programme, you need to find the right person for your business. We can help.

Recruiting Apprentices

You need to think about:

The basic duties you expect of your apprentice The type of person that will fit your business What that person will be worth to you. You should then contact us.

Recruitment Support

Once we have an understanding of your requirements, we will help to secure the ideal candidate using:

Our database of relevant apprentices Our network of local recruitment agencies Our contacts within relevant trade bodies. By using BDC, you save valuable time and resources in the recruitment process, and can be confident that you are getting the right person for the job.

If you already have someone within your business, we will meet with them to discuss how the programme works and what the opportunities are. We will also help to secure any funding that you may be eligible for to develop your young workers.

The majority of our programmes are available at Apprenticeship and Advanced Apprenticeship level.

For more information on Apprenticeships please contact Paul Ward, Apprenticeship Manager on 01476 402206.