Apprenticeship Handbook for Employers

ApprenticeshipEmployer HandbookJobs with pay, prospects and training

Your Apprenticeship ContactsApprentice Support Hub023 8057 7332 [email protected] Attendance RequirementsCollege Tutor NameFunctional Skills Tutor NameAssessor Name

3Welcome Contents to the City College Southampton Employer HandbookContents 4Welcome to City College 5People supporting you at college 6–7Employer support 8–9 For more information visitApprenticeship journey www.southampton-city.ac.uk/Frequently asked questions 10 apprenticeshipsUseful numbers3 million 89%new apprenticeships by 2020 of apprentice employers– the Governments target say they make their businesses more productive92% of employers with apprentices believe they lead to a more motivated and satisfied workforce 75% 250,000+ southampton-city.ac.uk of apprentice employers say workplaces in England the programme has helped offer apprenticeships cut recruitment costsSource: National Apprenticeship Service

Welcome to City CollegeWe’re delighted that you have decided to employ apprentices and that you have chosenCity College as the training provider for your apprentices.In employing an apprentice we believe that you will experience real benefits to your business,as employers who have apprentices report:ÒÒ 92% say it has led to a more motivated and satisfied workforceÒÒ 80% have experienced a significant increase in employee retentionÒÒ 76% agree apprentices make their workplace more productiveÒÒ 81% of consumers favour companies which take on apprenticesTo ensure that you and your apprentice get the most out of the apprenticeship experience,we will work with you throughout the training programme and make sure that we keep youup to date with your apprentice’s progress. We are always happy to hear from you, if thereis anything you need to discuss please contact the Apprentice Support Hub.We look forward to working with you to help you develop the skills you need for yourorganisation’s future success.Principal & CEOSource: National Apprenticeship Service

People supporting you at college 5 Welcome | People supporting you at collegeAssessor You can expect the assessor to: ÒÒ Discuss and plan units with your supportThroughout your apprentice’s time with City College ÒÒ Examine the apprentice’s portfolio and discussthey will have a designated assessor who willmake regular visits to the workplace to monitor what evidence could be used to enhance ittheir progress and help them to deliver a portfolio ÒÒ Observe the apprentice in their place of work.of evidence that demonstrates the necessarycompetence for your industry. They will review This could be to see one or multiple tasks theyprogress to ensure your apprentice is on target to are completingachieve, discussing what’s outstanding and setting ÒÒ Inform you about your apprentice’s progressrealistic and manageable targets. We tend to ÒÒ Provide constructive feedback on observationsalternate reviews between work and college, with if standards are not met and work with you toat least 50% taking place in the workplace. plan how they can be in the futureCourse TutorWhen your apprentice comes to college thetutors will provide them with the support and theunderstanding they need to succeed in achievingtheir industry related qualifications and functionalskills (maths, English and ICT). At the start of theapprenticeship you will both be given a timetableand scheme of work.You will receive termly reports from the collegealong with regular reviews to know exactly what yourapprentice has achieved in that term. You are mostwelcome to meet the team at City College to seewhat they are learning.Apprentice Support Hub We will contact you to inform you: southampton-city.ac.uk ÒÒ If your apprentice is absent from collegeDuring the apprenticeship should you have anyquestions or concerns you can contact our support ÒÒ If your apprentice requires a collegenetwork the Apprentice Support Hub. This service isexclusive to our apprentice employers providing you performance improvement planwith one point of contact. ÒÒ For quality to see how we are getting on 023 8057 7332 [email protected] and if we are meeting your expectations

Supporting your apprenticeSupporting their learningPlanning training Reviewing progressWhen taking on an apprentice it’s really important that Reviews are an important way of tracking your apprentice’straining takes place in the workplace not just in college. progress. They are held regularly in the workplace. Being present at these demonstrates to your apprentice thatWe work with you to create an individual learning plan their progress is important. This support allows us toshowing how your apprentice will work towards their eliminate barriers to success and plan effective learningqualifications, what it will cover and over what period. and assessment.This way you know what to expect your apprentice tohave learnt and work with us to develop their capability. AttendanceIdentify a workplace mentor We know students with the best attendance get the best results, so high attendance at work and college is essential.Select somebody in your team who will act as their mentor. We only have a short time with your apprentice, anThe best are those who are with the apprentice the majority academic year is only 37 weeks, so it is very important thatof the time and can see what support and training they they are allowed to attend college.require. We recognise it isn’t always a straightforward rolebut it can be very satisfying and a great experience. If they can’t attend college then they must contact you first and then the Apprentice Support Hub or report theirEmployer mentor programme absence to CityBit. If they don’t arrive at college or are late we will contact you straight away.To support your mentor we highly recommend they attendthis bespoke training programme. This is available to English and mathsmore than one employee per organisation. The purposeis to equip attendees with the tools and knowledge to If an apprentice hasn’t completed English and maths atsupport their apprentice whilst understanding how the school they will be asked to attain this as part of theirapprenticeship works. This is half a day with refreshments apprenticeship. This will be planned into their time atprovided. It also allows you to network with like-minded college. We will try our best to ensure the exam date isemployers, share best practice and ideas, meet the team their college day, but sometimes we are unable to do thiswho will be supporting you and see how to get the best and would ask that you release your apprentice.from your apprentice and the apprenticeship. English and maths are used on a daily basis. It’s just as important as their industry related qualifications, because it’s giving them the skills to function in their roles.

7 Supporting your apprentice Supporting their well-being Safeguarding and Prevent southampton-city.ac.ukDuty of care Occasionally young people may disclose confidential information that gives rise toAs an employer you have a duty of care to your concern for their physical or emotional safety.apprentice’s safety and well-being. It is important This can include:you are aware your apprentice may have little orno experience. We are available to guide you Verbal/physical bullying, harassment (sex,in supporting your apprentice throughout their race, religion), neglect, abuse (physical,apprenticeship. emotional, sexual), cyber and financial bullying, honour based violence, violentHealth and safety extremism or radicalisation.A college representative would have completed a What should you do in the event of thishealth and safety check with you. Any outstanding happening?actions generated from the health and safety checkwill need to be monitored and completed between 1. Listen non-judgmentally and stay calmyourself and the assessor. 2. Avoid giving any opinion or offering advice 3. Maintain confidentiality, do not discuss withReporting accidents others in your workplaceIf your apprentice has an accident in the workplace 4. Do not promise confidentiality – explain thatyou will need to report this to the ApprenticeSupport Hub immediately if it is RIDDOR or at the you will need to talk to someone at the Collegenext review with the assessor for other accidents. 5. Contact one of the experienced collegeThe College will need a copy of the accident report. safeguarding team 07900 684493

Apprenticeship journey 1Individual Learning Plan 2 3ÒÒUnderstand their plan of learning, when they will need 4 to attend college and who will be supporting them 5ÒÒDiscuss how the skills they learn at college will be used at work and who makes up their support network at work and collegeEmployer feedbackÒÒReceive regular termly reports from the collegeÒÒOpen invitation to meet the tutors and see what your apprentice is learningÒÒNetwork with like-minded employers to shape future curriculum for your industry

9Induction Apprenticeship journeyÒÒWork with the College to ensure your apprentice southampton-city.ac.uk has a thorough workplace inductionÒÒMake sure your apprentice has a contract of employment and understands their rights and responsibilities as your employeeRegular ReviewsÒÒEnsure there is a regular opportunity to receive news of college progressÒÒHave the opportunity to discuss your thoughts on the training being delivered to your apprentice and any support you think is requiredProgression PlanningPlan the next steps for your apprentice including:ÒÒDevelopment of maths, English and ICT skillsÒÒLook at progression opportunities availableÒÒDiscuss career enhancement opportunities at work

Frequently asked questions National Minimum Wage: What does this Useful numbers mean for me as an employer? City College Main ReceptionAs an employer you must comply with National 023 8048 4848Minimum Wage (NMW) legislation as set by HMRC.You need to ensure your apprentices are being paid at www.southampton-city.ac.ukleast apprenticeship minimum wage for the duration oftheir apprenticeship. This includes time working as well Apprentice Support Hubas training both on and off the job and time at college. 023 8057 7332Apprentices aged 19 or over who have already spent a [email protected] on their apprenticeship must be paid at least the fullNational Minimum Wage rate appropriate to their age. Apprenticeship Delivery Manager Manager of the Assessor team and Apprentice Why is on the job and off the job training Support Hub at City College. included in the definition of hours for the Apprenticeship NMW? 023 8057 7448An apprenticeship is a package of work and on and off ACASthe job training. It is right that apprentices are paid for ACAS provide information, advice, training,all the time they are on the apprenticeship. That includes conciliation and other services for employers andtraining time i.e. spent at college. employees to help prevent or resolve workplace problems. Are apprentices eligible for maternity/ paternity leave? 0300 123 1100 (8am–8pm Monday to Friday and 9am–1pm Saturday)Yes, like all employees, apprentices are entitled tostatutory maternity leave of 52 weeks with statutory www.acas.org.ukmaternity pay for up to 39 weeks. Health and Safety Executive (HSE) What do I do if I can’t keep my The HSE is the national independent watchdog for apprentice? work-related health, safety and illness. This includes equality and diversity in the workplace.Please speak to your Assessor or the Apprentice SupportHub as early as you can to notify us of your concerns. www.hse.gov.ukWe would like to ensure that we can provide you with Please use the contact section of the website tothe best advice and guidance to ensure you have all the identify correct contact details.information to make an informed decision. Government Information I have an apprenticeship vacancy, The Government website is a centralised site for can you help? all services. It is a useful resource for minimum wage enquiries, national holidays and furtherYes we have a recruitment service available to support apprenticeship information.you with finding an apprentice, please speak to theApprentice Support Hub. www.gov.uk/take-on-an-apprentice The information in this guide was correct at the time of publication (March 2017)

Thank you for working with us, if you are interested in anyof the other services we offer below to help upskill yourworkforce please contact us. Short courses Industry related Talented full-time to motivate and qualifications to students wantingenhance the skills of support career to work in your your workforce progression industry Access to our Get involvedstate-of-the-art with your future workforce with facilities employability talks, work experience and collaborative projectsWant to know more?Contact us Get social with us 023 8048 4848 sotoncitycollege [email protected] @city_college www.southampton-city.ac.uk sotoncitycollege

Contact us Get social with us 023 8048 4848 sotoncitycollege [email protected] @city_college www.southampton-city.ac.uk sotoncitycollege