This month, the FMB Information Department helps you to find suitable apprentices.
The FMB leads the Cross Industry Construction Apprenticeship Task Force (CCATF) which is chaired by Geoff Lister, FMB Immediate Past President and is co-ordinated by Daniel Hunt, FMB Public Affairs Adviser. The CCATF works to encourage employer engagement in apprentice training.
In addition, the FMB regions and countries are working with Government departments to create more funds for employers taking up apprentices.
FMB North West Regional Director, Frances Shaw, said: ‘Whilst our industry has had a long tradition of training its younger workers to become the skilled craftsmen and women of tomorrow, it is an undisputed fact that we were facing a skills shortage even before we went into recession. Many employers are yet to be convinced about the value of taking on an apprentice. The FMB has worked closely with ConstructionSkills to safeguard the future of the industry and I am delighted to have been able to continue to forge strong links in the North West. Firstly, we are working with the Apprentice Matching Service by highlighting on our web page details of apprentices who require placements together with their specific trade and secondly, we are supporting and promoting the Group Training Association (GTA) pilot project which is being rolled out in Merseyside and Manchester.
www.fmb.org.uk/about-fmb/fmbregions/northwest/branch-information/ In England, the Government has been trying to help promote the employment of apprentices and the National Apprentice Service (NAS) has launched a grant scheme specifically designed to support employers and unemployed young people, who have been hardest hit in the recession.
Funding was available for up to 5,000 apprenticeships and employers were offered subsidies of £2,500 when they employed an apprentice who was either 16 or 17 years old. The scheme operated for a short period only and ended in March 2010.
SCHEMES AVAILABLE NOW TO HELP EMPLOYERS
The NAS covers the cost of training of apprentices depending on their age.
Age (16-18) NAS contribution (100%)
Age (19-24) NAS contribution (50%)
25+ Contribution for specified places
The Government provides funds to cover the full cost of the mandatory training required to complete the framework, as determined by the relevant Sector Skills Council (SSC), for a young person aged 16-18 on an apprenticeship. If employers or providers choose to deliver additional qualifications or courses as part of the delivery of the overall framework then these courses will not be funded and will need to be paid for by the provider or employer.
The NAS also supports employers through the process of recruiting and training a candidate, including signposting them to providers and advising on the apprenticeship frameworks available. They also manage apprenticeships vacancies with a free online recruitment tool that can be used to match apprentices with prospective employers.
If you are thinking of employing an apprentice, you can advertise your vacancy by going to: www.apprenticeships.org.uk/Employers/Recruitment.aspx ConstructionSkills is the Sector Skills Council for all parts of the construction industry and you can find out about help and advice available through them at
www.cskills.org/levy-grant/grant/grants-for-apprentices.aspx
THE COST FOR EMPLOYERS
Like all employees, apprentices must still receive a wage. The minimum wage for apprentices is £95 a week. However, as skills develop, many employers tend to increase wages and research has found that apprentices earn an average of £170 net pay per week.
If you are applying BATJIC rule agreement, then the apprentice’s terms and conditions of employment and pay will be:
For apprentices under 19 years old: 16 years old £166.14 (£4.26 per hour) 17 years old £221.52 (£5.68 per hour) 18 years old £277.68 (£7.12 per hour) (without NVQ level 2) 18 years old £293.67 (£7.53 per hour) (with NVQ level 2)
For further information on BATJIC wage rate 2009-2010,
visit: www.fmb.org.uk/informationand-help/publications/batjic/
There is also the cost of the supervision, support and mentoring that you will need to put in place to support the apprentice. These associated costs are not insignificant - however, the National Apprenticeship Service will support the employer’s commitment to hiring apprentices by covering in full, or in part, the training costs.
To find out what further information is available for employers to support their apprentices,
visit: www.apprenticeships.org.uk/
Information for apprentices in other countries is available on the following websites;
For Scotland www.apprenticeshipsinscotland.com/about/
For Wales www.careersadvice.direct.gov.uk
For Northern Ireland www.delni.gov.uk/apprenticeshipsni
