Apprenticeships

86% of employers said apprenticeships developed skills relevant to their organisation

78% reported improved productivity

90% of apprentices stay on in their place of work after completing an apprenticeship

Apprentices bring a significant return on investment and often go on to senior management roles. Many also take on higher level training

• Free training directly relevant to your organisation
• High quality training to industry-recognised standards
• Skills specific to your industry
• Skills to cope with new technology and new markets
• A way of tackling skills shortages
• Staff retention
• Increased staff confidence and morale
• A more responsive, motivated workforce

At Coleg Gwent we offer two levels of Apprenticeship: Foundation Apprenticeship (equivalent to five GCSEs, Grade A-C) and Apprenticeship (equivalent to two A Level passes). Both involve:

Employing the apprentice for at least 16 hours per week, giving them a contract of employment and paying them in-line with national minimum wage requirements

Fully supporting the apprentice in all aspects of their Learning Programme

Through mutual agreement, allowing Coleg Gwent staff to undertake visits to your business in order to assess and discuss progress with the Apprentice

Allowing the apprentice time off to attend college for the duration of the programme

Observing all relevant Health and Safety regulations

Assisting our staff in the assessment of the apprentice by giving feedback on their progress, attitude and development within their job role.

We currently work with a huge range of organisations to offer Apprenticeships at Foundation and Apprenticeship levels, from small private companies through to large multinational organisations. There are no restrictions on the size of the employer and  no limit on how many Apprentices you can employ.

Funding for an apprentice’s training and assessments comes from the Welsh Government and in some cases, the European Social Fund.

Like any employee, you’ll need to pay your apprentices for their normal working hours plus any training that is part of the apprenticeship programme i.e. day release and/or block release programmes. For the latest information and guidance on rates of pay, visit www.direct.gov.uk or contact the Pay & Work Rights helpline on 0800 9172368.

We offer Apprenticeships in:

• Automotive engineering – light and heavy vehicle
• Automotive engineering – vehicle body repair and vehicle body paint
• Bricklaying
• Carpentry
• Civil Engineering
• Electrical engineering
• Electrical installation
• Electrotechnical
• Health and social care
• Hospitality & Catering
• Mechanical engineering
• Plumbing
• Welding

Before an apprentice can start their programme, we’ll need to carry out the necessary Health & Safety checks in accordance with the Welsh Government Code of Practice. This means we’ll need to evaluate your company’s management of health, safety and welfare, to make sure learning/work is undertaken in an acceptable environment with risks managed.

In practical terms, this means that the College will need to see evidence of the documentation listed below, as well as undertaking a short site visit:

• Adequate Employers Liability Compulsory Insurance and Public Liability Insurance
• Health & Safety policy
• Motor vehicle insurance details if applicable
• Fire precautions
• First Aid provision
• Risk assessments including Fire and COSHH (where there are more than five employees)
• Evidence of any relevant maintenance records (such as PAT testing, lighting equipment service records etc.) where applicable

Subsequently, the college will monitor Health & Safety to test the implementation of the employer’s Health and Safety management system throughout the Apprenticeship programme.

If you’d like to take on an apprentice but don’t currently have anyone already employed in mind, we have a list of current learners who are looking for an employer to support them in an Apprenticeship. Contact us for more information on 01495 333777 or apprenticeships@coleggwent.ac.uk

We can provide you with help in recruiting apprentices. We’ll give you guidance throughout the Apprenticeship programme and a progress review every two months.