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National Apprenticeship Week 2022

National Apprenticeship Week 2022

Benefits of Hiring an Apprentice - National Apprenticeship Week 2022

This week is National Apprenticeship Week(NAW). NAW is in its 15th annual week-long celebration of apprenticeships. The aim of this week is to showcase the positive impact that apprenticeships have, especially in our sector. The theme this year is ‘build the future’ and is about reflecting on this impact. But what is an apprenticeship and how can they help your business?  

 

What is an apprenticeship?

An apprenticeship is a paid job where the employee learns and gains valuable experiences. Apprentices spend at least 20% of their working hours completing classroom-based learning with a college, university or training provider which leads to a nationally recognised qualification where the rest is spent on more practical work. It includes holiday leave and paid employment, practical experience, some academic work and then a formal assessment. At the end of the apprenticeship, participants walk away with a nationally recognised qualification. They’re available for anyone over the age of 16 in England who are starting their career, wants a career change, is looking to upskill and is not in full time education.  

 

Stock image of apprentice plumber and tutor - Mr Central Heating  

 

How can an apprenticeship help my business?

You can employ apprentices at various levels from school leavers to university grads. There are also people who are looking for a career change. They may be looking to take up an apprenticeship in a skilled trade. Each of these groups offer a variety of benefits. According to GOV.uk, 78% of employers said apprenticeships helped them improve productivity and 74% of employers said apprenticeships helped them improve the quality of their product or service. So you can begin to see why it might be beneficial to hire an apprentice. Regardless of their starting point, an apprentice can offer you a chance to adapt their training according to the needs within your business. They will be motivated to learn new skills and you can expand your workforce whilst training them to fill skill gaps. Without sounding too cheesy, working with an apprentice building the future. It is moulding the future generations within our industry. Who wouldn't want to build a better future for those who follow us.

 

BMF Apprenticeship Plus

In our sector there are a variety of apprenticeships available. The BMF has formed an accredited Apprenticeship Training Agency (ATA). This will help its members gain maximum benefit from the opportunities created by the Apprenticeship Reforms. The BMF Apprenticeships Plus makes it much easier for BMF members to take on apprentices in any job role.  The BMF ATA qualifies as a levy payer. This will act as the apprentices’ formal employer. 

 

They will take on full administrative responsibility and place them with a host member. After the successful completion of the apprenticeship, employment is easily transferred to the host. It’s also a very flexible scheme. This makes it easier for merchants that may not be able to provide a full term apprenticeship or are worried about circumstances changing. BMF Apprenticeship Plus will find an alternative for the apprentice to ensure they finish their qualification. Currently, BMF members will be able to continue to use their preferred training providers. However, they will also have access to a far wider portfolio of established and pre-vetted training providers covering all areas of the UK offering new qualifications and funded training opportunities.  

 

For more information about training with the BMF, as an employer or employee, please click here. Liked this blog post? Check out more from Mr Central Heating’s blog and catch up on the latest industry news and deals today.