Hire an apprentice

Employing an apprentice is easier than you think and there’s financial support and help available from the government.  

Here is are some resources which will help you on your journey. You can also contact our South Yorkshire apprentice project manager for more local advice and support.

Resources for healthcare organisations

• HASO  The best place to navigate apprenticeships and technical education in the health sector.  Aimed at employers and front-line managers (but also valued by training providers and end point assessment organisations).

Here is the support available for employers:

• keep up to date with apprenticeship news and consultations
• download apprenticeship standards, end point assessment plans and printable resources
• plan how you will fund, procure, deliver and quality assure the apprenticeships used by your team or organisation
• check which training providers and end point assessment organisations are available
• create apprenticeship pathways for career progression and find out how pre-apprenticeship programmes can provide a pipeline of prospective apprentices
• 6 tips for getting ready to welcome your apprentice
• 6 tips for applying for an apprenticeship
• 6 tips for the first few days of your apprenticeship
• 6 tips on reaching the end of your apprenticeship
• 6 tips for applying for your next job
• NHS Employers has a full guide to employing apprentices including how to fund them and build them into your workforce strategy.
• Skills for Health published Delivering High Quality Apprenticeships guiding principles for NHS employers which contains useful information for every employer.

 

Government resources - to find training and employment schemes

These schemes can help you with staff recruitment and skills development. Some are free, but there may be other costs incurred for training, wages, or travel for example. 

Providing higher technical qualifications (HTQs)

This guidance explains what you’ll need to do if you want to start offering higher technical qualifications (HTQs).

South Yorkshire support for your apprenticeship programme

Pam Case is a health and care apprenticeship project manager working in South Yorkshire to support you to make the most out of your apprenticeship programme. Here's Pam's advice on getting started with your apprenticeships.

There is a lot of support available if you are looking to offer an apprenticeship post. Having an apprentice in the team should be a great opportunity to develop a new or existing employee and train them into a specific role, but there are responsibilities as an employer that needs to be managed.

The reservation of funding pays for 95% of the apprentice's training costs, payable to your chosen college, university or training provider. The employer is expected to fund the remaining 5%. If the 5% feels too much, read on about levy transfer.

The levy reservation doesn’t pay the salary costs of your apprentice, or any expenses they might need as part of their work, for example uniform, DBS check, travel to training. They also have to be paid for all the components of the programme whilst at work and studying.

If you are a primary or social care employer in South Yorkshire you can approach the wider healthcare system for a levy transfer. This is where a large, levy-paying employer transfers to your digital account 100% of the apprenticeship cost over monthly instalments which are then paid directly to the chosen training provider. 

As your South Yorkshire apprenticeship project manager I can arrange local transfers where a large employer is willing to do so.  I can also raise your interest with colleagues in the wider region to request a possible transfer from further afield. There is no guarantee of funds but we are working hard to agree all our applications. If you would like some support to get enrolled on the government digital portal system then contact the business development team at South Yorkshire Apprenticeship Hub  

There are a couple of other options to be matched with an employer who is definitely looking to transfer.

1. The Co-op levy share site has matching information and you can register your interest in receiving a match through the portal.
2. The national apprenticeship digital system itself now offers the ability to request a transfer.  and you can search here - Search funding opportunities (manage-apprenticeships.service.gov.uk)

If you would like to talk through this process please contact Pam Case,  South Yorkshire Apprenticeship Hub or the Primary Care Workforce & Training Hub.