You can get help from the government to pay for apprenticeship training. The amount you get depends on whether you pay the apprenticeship levy or not. You pay the levy if you’re an employer with a pay bill over £3 million each year. Visit the Government website to find out about funding an apprentice.
Flexi-job apprenticeship agencies recruit and employ apprentices and arrange placements with a variety of host businesses for the duration of an apprenticeship.
Anyone looking to become an apprentice through an agency, or businesses interested in hosting apprentices, can contact a flexi-job apprenticeship agency directly. Agencies can help employers with non-standard employment models make greater use of apprenticeship.
Some of our stakeholders use Supply Chain as their Flexi-job Apprenticeship Agency and highly recommend them.
In 2021 the Institute of Chartered Foresters raised serious concerns about the skills shortage in the sector which they believed put climate targets at risk. They called on governments, public bodies, private and third sectors, higher and further education, and allied professions to commit to resourcing the sector's education, training and development needs, campaigning to raise the profile of forestry and arboriculture careers and creating new pathways into the industry to widen access.These 3 new apprenticeships have been developed in response to this and have significantly contributed to increasing aspiration and pathways to working in forestry. They are an amazing example of true collaboration. The Forestry Commission call on employers to consider taking on a forestry apprentice as there is lots of help and support available.
Read about the Level 3 Forest Craftsperson, Level 4 Forest Works Manager and Level 6 Professional Forester Degree - all available in Cumbria
The City & Guilds Apprenticeship Support Hub offers guidance and resources for training providers and colleges delivering apprenticeships.
Furness College provides information about the Apprenticeship Wage and Levy. Like all employees, apprentices must still receive a wage. There is a National Minimum Wage for apprentices. However, as skills develop, many employers tend to increase wages.
Apprenticeship information from Skills England
Hire an apprentice. Apprenticeships are an exciting option for both the apprentice and employer, and you can choose to hire someone new or upskill an existing employee using the scheme.
Develop your apprentices. We all have ‘to do’ lists. Your apprentices are no exception. To pass their apprenticeship, there's a lot they need to do. It’s probably your job to get them through it, to help them learn new skills, pass their assessments and prove they’re an asset to your business.
Skillshub Cumbria can work with you to upskill or retrain current staff, or to make an impact in the community in which you operate by engaging with potential learners.
