Employers
​
Make your business better by employing an Apprentice.
​
The opportunity to add value to your business and improve its productivity should not be underestimated.
​
Apprenticeships allow you to train and develop your employee to suit the exact requirements, demands and standards of business. They also provide loyal, fully qualified and experienced members of staff which is a great selling point for you and your business.
​
​You can also enrol your existing employees to do an Apprenticeship. There is no maximum age limit to do an Apprenticeship and having the opportunity to work towards their qualification would help them to gaining further skills and knowledge which would improve your business’ standards as a whole.
​
Benefits of hiring an Apprentice
​
-
Improved Productivity
-
Increased employee satisfaction
-
Reduction of recruitment costs
-
Reduction of staff turnover
​
Support available to you
​
Employers are not required to pay National Insurance contributions for apprentice is under the age of 25 on earnings below the higher tax rate of £827 a week (£43,000 a year).
​
If you employ an Apprentice aged 16-18 or an apprentice aged 19-24 who has previously been in care or who has a Local authority, education, health and care plan, then you may also be eligible to receive a £1,000 grant payment.
​
If you employ less than 50 people, then the government will pay 100% of the training costs for an Apprentice who is aged 16-18. If your learner is aged 19+ and you have a pay bill under £3m a year, the government will pay 95% of the training costs and a payment plan that is suited to you will be put in place to pay the remaining 5%.
​
For information on Apprenticeship Levy, please take a look at our at our Apprenticeship Levy page
​
Your Responsibilities
Apprentices must receive at least the apprenticeship national minimum wage if they are aged 16-18 or in there first year of there Apprenticeship. Once your apprentice is in the 2nd and 3rd year of their Apprenticeship, they must receive the national minimum for their age group.
For more information on the current national minimum wage, please visit www.gov.uk/national-minimum-wage-rates
Your Apprentice must also receive the same benefits as other employees.
​
The minimum hours of employment for an Apprentice should be at least 30 hours per week.
​
An Apprenticeship agreement must also be in place as well as a contract of employment.
​
Apprentice Mentor
​
As defined by Dictionary.com a mentor is ‘an experienced and trusted adviser’.
A mentor will need to coach, support, guide, encourage and TRAIN the apprentice. For many apprentices this will be their first time in the work place so pastoral care will be equally as important.
The mentor will need to be a supporter and believer in the apprenticeship and willing to uphold its value. It is as equally important that ALL people in the workplace have the same belief. Without this shared belief the mentor will struggle to provide the required support resulting in a possible break down in the relationship and/or failure of the apprenticeship.
A Mentor will play a pivotal role in the success of an apprenticeship. In order to be a successful mentor he/she will need to:
-
Provide support and guidance
-
Understand the apprenticeship and the subjects being taught
-
Be flexible
-
Liaise with Floortrain staff
-
Make them feel safe
-
Ideally be outside of the reporting hierarchy
-
Be supported by you the employer
​
Floortrain Support
​
Floortrain will support your chosen mentor in assisting the apprentice in completing their apprentice. Ways in which we support them include:
-
Progress Reviews
-
Session attendance
-
Floortrain App access
-
Employer Handbook
Progress Reviews
​
Conducted regularly, Floortrain Training Advisors/Tutors will come out to site and conduct Progress Reviews. Mentor input is important, especially if the learner is on the Virtual Apprenticeship. You will liaise with Floortrain staff and discuss progress as well as how you can help the apprentice moving forwards.
​
Session Attendance
​
Your apprentice will attend regular sessions, depending on the delivery model, at Floortrain. Availability permitting, your mentor is welcome to attend these sessions with the apprentice including both theory and practical training. From time to time sessions may also include manufacturer demonstrations. Something the Mentor may find useful for their own development as well helping with their understanding of the programme.
​
If on the Virtual apprenticeship, ‘sessions’ will involve Floortrain tutors coming out to site to deliver training. It is vital the Mentor is available and involved in these sessions to ensure they understand the requirements and so that feedback is accurate between Employer and Floortrain and vice versa.
​
Floortrain App access
We will provide all mentors and employers with access to Floortrains’ mobile App. This has extensive content and resources available to aid the apprentice with their progress. Having access to this will mean the mentor can support the apprentice in its use.
​
Employer Handbook
​
This will provide the mentor with an understanding of their role as well as an outline of the apprenticeship and the subjects that will be covered. We will also provide contact details for relevant people at Floortrain who will be happy to give out Information, Advice and Guidance (IAG) to support the mentor in fulfilling his/her role.
​