your guide to hiring · an apprentice when you employ an apprentice, you’re in a position of...

YOUR GUIDE TO

HIRING AN

APPRENTICE

WALES 1

CP03688_Apprentice Guide Wales_Guide.indd 1 26/09/2017 14:47

Apprenticeships have always been important to me. I personally believe that opening up ways for new talent to enter the industry is essential. Whenever we talk to our trade customers in Wales, they tell us about the need for more skilled workers and how important a new generation of skilled tradespeople is for the future. It’s crucial that we all work together to support apprentices, their trainers and the companies hiring them.

At Screwfix, we’re always looking for ways to help UK tradespeople grow their businesses and ultimately protect the future of the trade. One of the ways they can do this is by taking on apprentices or training existing staff as apprentices.

We have worked with the Welsh Government to create this guide. It is designed to show you just how easy it is to hire an apprentice.

We really hope it helps, it may be simpler than you think.

PROTECTING THE TRADE’S FUTURE

Graham Bell, CEO of Screwfix2


IS AN APPRENTICE FOR YOU?

Create time to pursue new business

Build an enthusiastic workforce

Bridge key skills gaps

Boost your team productivity

Could an apprentice help you?

Could you help an apprentice?

Help them to gain confidence

Give them a skill for life

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THE APPRENTICESHIP MATCHING SERVICE

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For more information, visit careerswales.com or phone 0800 028 4844 between 9am -6pm, Monday - Friday

“THE APPRENTICESHIP MATCHING SERVICE ON CAREERSWALES.COM IS THE ONLINE RECRUITMENT

HOME FOR APPRENTICESHIPS IN WALES, OFFERING A FREE SERVICE TO HELP EMPLOYERS FIND A SUITABLE

APPRENTICE FOR THIER BUSINESS.”

Advertising platform for quality apprenticeship vacancies within your business

FREE

View all applicants for positions that can be applied for nationally by thousands of candidates

Carry out shortlisting and organise pre-interview tests and checks

Send out invitations to applicants for interview

Accept and reject applicants

12MONTHS

Helpful Tip: Many learning providers offer to manage this system on your behalf. Ask them about this when you call to discuss your training needs

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For a full list of learning providers throughout Wales, visit the Business Wales Skills Gateway at

www.businesswales.gov.wales/skillsgateway/apprenticeships

LEARNING PROVIDERS

Receive funding to pay for the cost of training and assessment via the Welsh Government and the European Social Fund. Note: You may be asked to contribute

“QUALITY ASSURED AND APPROVED TRAINING ORGANISATIONS SUCH AS

A COLLEGE OR TRAINING COMPANY HELP DELIVER TRAINING WITH APPROVAL

FROM THE WELSH GOVERNMENT.”

On the job training at employer’s premises and employer training partner at either a local college or specialist learning provider

Once selected, training providers help complete paperwork, provide support during recruitment process and agree a suitable date for apprentice training to start

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WORKING WITH AN APPRENTICEWhen you employ an apprentice, you’re in a position of responsibility to that person. Taking on an apprentice means you must, at the very least:

Actively promote the value of apprenticeships within the organisation, ensuring that staff are fully aware of the needs of the apprentice

Employ and, as a minimum, pay the apprentice in accordance with National Minimum Wage requirements

Make sure the apprentice has a contract of employment

Undertake the legal and contractual responsibilities for the Health and Safety of the apprentice

Ensure conformity with equal opportunities legislation and good practice

Provide at least 16 hours of paid work and training per week. Ensure that sufficient time and resources are available to fulfil the learning and assessment needs of the apprentice

Actively contribute to the regular review of the apprentice’s progress

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William Ellis, Apprentice Bench Joiner and Screwfix Trade Apprentice Winner 2017

BECOMING AN APPRENTICE IS THE BEST DECISION I HAVE MADE. I HOPE TO BE A REAL

AMBASSADOR TO OTHERS AND HIGHLIGHT WHAT A GREAT JOB BEING IN THE TRADE IS

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THERE ARE BUSINESS BENEFITS TO EMPLOYERS WHO USE THE WELSH LANGUAGE, SUCH AS:

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DID YOU KNOW THAT APPRENTICESHIPS CAN BE STUDIED IN ENGLISH, WELSH

OR EVEN BILINGUALLY, DEPENDING ON THE EMPLOYER’S NEEDS?

WELSH LANGUAGE AND BILINGUAL APPRENTICESHIPS

✓ Providing a Welsh service to Welsh speakers can improve customer service

✓ Using the Welsh language sets companies aside from the rest

✓ Providing a Welsh service can be a company’s unique selling point

✓ Attracts new customers and increases customer loyalty

✓ Assists in expanding your target market

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APPRENTICE MYTHSWe asked tradespeople for their thoughts on apprenticeships.

49% of tradespeople think it takes a lot of time to train an apprentice

They will learn a lot of skills off-site which they then apply on-site. Having an extra pair of hands can be a significant benefit.

71% of tradespeople won’t hire an apprentice due to perceived risks

While it is a commitment, you can cover your business with an Apprenticeship Agreement, or you can use an Apprenticeship Training Agency who will take on all of the risks involved.

‘IT TAKES TOO MUCH TIME

TO TRAIN AN APPRENTICE’

‘THERE’S TOO MUCH RISK ASSOCIATED WITH HIRING AN

APPRENTICE’

1010


46% of tradespeople believe the process is difficult

Hiring an apprentice can actually be very simple – more than half of tradespeople who have hired one said the process was easier than they thought.

34% of tradespeople believe hiring an apprentice will cost too much

You must pay your apprentice at least the minimum wage but there is financial assistance available, so it’s worth looking into what’s on offer.

‘WON’T IT COST TOO

MUCH?’‘HIRING AN

APPRENTICE IS TOO DIFFICULT’

‘I’VE NEVER NEEDED AN

APPRENTICE’

60% of tradespeople state they have never needed an apprentice

This may be true for a company of 50+ but if you’re a small operation, hiring an apprentice could be extremely useful. Plus, the majority of tradespeople are keen to hire their apprentices as full-time members of staff when their training is complete.

Quotes taken from Screwfix Trade Apprentice Research 2015 1111


Julie James, Minister for Skills and Science, Welsh Government

A WORD FROM JULIE JAMES

By offering apprenticeships, businesses are not only helping their own business to grow but are making an invaluable contribution to boosting our economy and making sure our future workforce is equipped with the right skills to make sure Wales remains competitive.

The Welsh Government aims to create at least 100,000 apprenticeships over the next 5 years to make sure people’s skills align with what the economy needs. There are over 120 apprenticeship frameworks in Wales and the range of industries that offer apprenticeships is now bigger than ever.

Wales has developed a highly successful apprenticeship programme over the last few years. Built in partnership

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with Welsh businesses the programmes have a strong focus on the quality of delivery. Apprenticeships are highly valued by both employers and apprentices and our framework success rates are consistently over 80%.

Apprenticeships help individuals gain valuable on the job experience while studying towards a nationally recognised qualification. By recruiting apprentices you can shape your future workforce to suit the needs and culture of your organisation. Training an apprentice is also more cost effective than hiring pre-skilled staff, leading to lower overall training and recruitment cost.

I hope this guide, alongside other resources provided by the Welsh Government,

Careers Wales and employers, will prove to employers that hiring apprentices makes strong business sense and is easier than you think.

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...or need any support in hiring your apprentice, it’s worth visiting the Business Wales Gateway website or having a chat with the Business Wales helpline on 03000 6 03000, quoting “Screwfix” when you call.

You can also e-mail [email protected].

To download a digital copy of this guide, visit screwfix.com/apprenticeguide

IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS...

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If you have any questions or are after any support in hiring your apprentice, contact Careers Wales on

0800 028 4844 and quote ‘Screwfix’

To download a digital copy of this guide, visit Screwfix.com/apprenticeguide


your guide to hiring · an apprentice when you employ an apprentice, you’re in a position of...

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