Our Apprenticeships

We are uniquely positioned to deliver an outstanding experience for both employers and apprentices. We are an established provider having a long 65+ year history serving the local reading community. We are highly skilled in supporting individual needs, and the apprentice pathway will be planned according to the apprentice and employer’s needs.

Our staff are highly qualified and experienced practitioners in their field, and unlike other training providers, our staff all hold teaching qualifications as well as assessing and internal quality assurance qualifications.

They have the skills and experience to recognise the challenges for apprentices and employers and to provide the necessary support both at the beginning and throughout the apprenticeship programme.

An apprenticeship is a job and a full time work based learning programme that combines accredited learning with paid work. It gives you the opportunity to study towards a nationally recognised qualification, whilst gaining real work experience.
By the end of the programme you will have acquired the skills, knowledge and experiences as well as a relevant qualification to perform a skilled role. 

To become an apprentice you must be:

• 16 or over
• not already be in full time education
• live in England

You can start an apprenticeship whether you’re starting your career, want a change or you’re upskilling in your current job.

For Employers we will:

• Help you select the right apprenticeship standard and level (Levels 2-6)
• Support you with recruitment, including advertising vacancies where required
• Guide you through setting up and using the Digital Apprenticeship Service (DAS)
• Develop a training plan aligned to your workplace needs
• Schedule and deliver the 20% off the job training flexibly
• Carry out regular progress reviews with you and the apprentice
• Provide advice on safeguarding, wellbeing and additional learning needs
• Support preparation for end point assessment (EPA)
• Act as a key point of contact for funding compliance and quality assurance

This support helps reduce administrative burden and ensures the apprenticeship meets national requirements.

For apprentices we will:

• Deliver high quality teaching, learning and assessment
• Assign a dedicated and highly qualified and experienced trainer/assessor
• Support apprentices with English and Maths if required
• Monitor progress and provide feedback and action plans
• Support confidence, wellbeing and professional development
• Prepare apprentices for end point assessment and qualification achievement

Successful apprenticeships rely on a three way partnership between the employer, apprentices and Us. Together, this ensures apprentices develop the knowledge, skills and behaviours needed to succeed in their role and progress within their organisation.

Who pays levy?

You pay the Apprenticeship Levy if your annual payroll exceeds £3 million. You do not pay the levy if your annual payroll is £3 million or less.

Funding for non-levy employers

If you do not pay the levy, the Government funds 95% of apprenticeship training and assessment, and the employer contributes 5%.  (Example: on training costs of £9,000, the employer pays £450, the government pays £8,550). Please note: some early years and education apprenticeships may attract additional funding, subject to current government policy.

How levy funding works?

• Levy charged at 0.5% of annual payroll
• £15,000 annual allowance deducted
• Funds appear in your Digital Apprenticeship Service (DAS) account
• Government adds a 10% top up
• Funds can be used for training and end-point assessment only
• Funds expire after 24 months if unused

What apprenticeship funding covers?

Included:

• Training delivery
• End point assessment
• Qualifications and certification

Not Included:

• Apprentice wages
• Uniforms, DBS checks or equipment
• Travel or accommodation

Employer

The apprentice must be employed by you for at least 20 hours per week. They must
be paid at least minimum wage for their age. This can be for a new hire or an already existing employee. You must provide a suitable learning and working environment (including PPE) and a suitable mentor to support the learner. 

You will need to support the learner to produce evidence for their portfolio, and to
support the training delivery through Off the Job Training.

Learner

As an apprentice, you will need to complete all work assigned to you by the agreed
deadline. You will need to record your Off the Job Training. You will need to see your trainer at least once every 6 weeks, unless otherwise agreed. You may also need to complete English and Maths Functional Skills.

Off the job training

Off the Job Training is the number of hours spent learning new things whilst on the apprenticeship. There is a set minimum number of hours Off the Job Training required, which will be identified before you start your programme. This can include lessons with your trainer, undertaking new projects at work, being shown a new
skill at work.

Our range of Apprenticeship standards is growing all the time. If you are interested in participating in one of the Apprenticeships listed below, you should firstly secure an apprenticeship with an employer. You can search the national apprenticeship service vacancy website here: Find an apprenticeship – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

If the college is working with an employer who has a current apprenticeship vacancy, we will post them here. Click on the link to look for current  Apprenticeship vacancies available for you to apply for.

If you are already working and you and your employer would like you to undertake any of the Apprenticeship standards listed above, please contact us so that we can tailor a programme to meet your needs.