County Durham Apprenticeship Programme
The County Durham Apprenticeship Programme was launched on Friday 4th November 2011 and signals the start of an initiative which will encourage small and medium sized business to take on young unemployed people across the county, for a minimum of two years.
The initiative is funded by Durham County Council and the Coalfields Regeneration Trust (CRT) and will predominantly focus on creating up to 130 opportunities within enterprises employing less than 50 staff. However, an element of the scheme will also target opportunities within social enterprises or the community voluntary sector. (This element of the programme includes funding from the CRT).
More information on the programme can be found in the attached brocure.
County Durham Apprenticeship Programme.pdf (2 pages, 1190kb)
More general information on apprenticeships can be found below.
What is an apprenticeship?
They are work-based training programmes designed around the needs of employers, which lead to national recognised qualifications. You can use Apprenticeships to train both new and existing employees. Apprenticeships offer an excellent way of gaining qualifications and workplace experience and skills from the workplace.
Why would my business want to take on an apprentice?
Because it is good business. Skills shortages are still one of the biggest threats to UK business. Apprenticeships can help businesses across all industries by offering a route to harness fresh talent. If you have trained staff with the right skills for the job they can do a wider range of tasks and take on new responsibilities - this can help to reduce skill shortages, minimise staff turnover and workplace accidents, and increase productivity.
Taking on an apprentice is cost effective because your people can learn while they’re on the job and the government contributes to the costs of learning.
Companies involved in apprenticeships
The Top 100 Apprenticeship Employers is an exciting new initiative from the National Apprenticeship Service (NAS) and City & Guilds. By celebrating the outstanding achievements of businesses that employ apprentices, we hope to raise the profile of Apprenticeships and promote their benefits to learners and employers alike.
Is there a cost for employers?
Like all employees, apprentices must still receive a wage. The National Minimum Wage for apprentices is £2.50 per hour. However, as skills develop, many employers tend to increase wages – in fact, research has found that apprentices earn an average of £170 net pay per week.
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 match employer’s commitment to hiring apprentices by covering in full, or in part, the training costs. Find out more about Apprenticeships by completing the National Apprenticeship Service Enquiry Form.
What are the advantages of an apprenticeship
Getting qualified while on the job can also mean:
- you work better and more effectively
- it can set you up to move into new and better jobs
- you get better pay
- you get to experience new and different challenges
- your existing skills and knowledge are recognised and can help you gain a qualification faster
- you learn at your own pace and get support when you need it
- better job security
- you gain skills and knowledge which can be used across a range of jobs and industries
Becoming an apprentice
If you feel you are now ready to do an Apprenticeship you can apply for Apprenticeship Vacancies using the National Apprenticeship Service Recruitment System that lets you search for, view and then apply for apprenticeships.