Apprenticeships

At On Course Southwest we believe that “learning is for life and opportunities are for all”. Hiring an apprentice is a great way for your business to train new recruits in a structured training programme that combines on-the-job experience with academic learning. It allows the trainee to gain practical skills and knowledge while working towards a nationally recognised qualification. At On Course Southwest we pride ourselves on working with employers to make sure that apprentices gain a good balance of on and off the job training to grow their skills, knowledge and experience. The final outcome is an apprentice who is ready to progress into a career with confidence and who you will want to keep within your team!

An apprentice could be currently employed by you but needs further training to improve their contribution to your business. It could also be somebody you haven’t met yet!  

An apprentice can be any age from 16 upwards. 

If you would like help with recruiting an apprentice just ask! We have many learners improving their skills to look for work or for a career change.  

Our “Get that Apprentice” programme has been successfully supporting candidates to meet like minded employers while our range of professional courses gives CVs the boost that’s needed to make a difference on applications.  

If you would like help to find an apprentice click here.

Getting the right provider is really important. At On Course South West we focus on ensuring that you get great support at each stage of an apprentice’s journey. This is how we do it:

• Mapping the Job role to the most appropriate apprentice training course

• Signposting your business to the most appropriate funding route to pay for training. 

• Support with advertising the vacancy

• Assistance with interviews and pre-employment tasks to make sure that the recruit is a “good fit” and is prepared for your workplace

• Agreeing the structure of the training programme to suit your business needs

Whatever the size of your business, government funding is available for apprenticeship training. The most comprehensive explanations can be found on the government website but our friendly team is always happy to help if you have more questions. In a nutshell, the amount you pay depends whether you pay the apprenticeship levy or not. 

If you don’t pay the apprenticeship levy you will pay 5% towards the cost of the training and assessment of your apprentice. We agree what that payment plan looks like when you sign up with us to provide training.  The government will then pay the rest of the training costs directly to us.  

New- August 2024 the government will pay for the full cost of apprenticeship training if you are a non-levy payer and the apprentice is:

• aged between 16 and 21 years old (or 15 years old if the apprentice’s birthday is between the last Friday of June and 31st August) 

• aged between 22 and 24 years old and has either an Education Health Care Plan (EHCP) provided by the local authority and / or has been in the care of the local authority.

For detailed information check here Apprenticeship Funding Rules  August 2024 to July 2025

Help available for other costs
Businesses who recruit apprentices who have experience or fit the following criteria can claim £1000 to help towards salary, travel costs, or uniform:

• 16 to 18 years old 

• 19 to 24 years old with an Education Health Care Plan (EHCP)

• 19 to 24 years old and have been in care.

To get started you will need to create an apprenticeship service account. This is because all apprenticeships in England must be managed through the apprenticeship service.  

To create an account, you will need:

• an email address

• permission to add your PAYE scheme number or your Accounts Office Reference Number (AORN) to the account

• permission to accept the employer agreement on behalf of your organisation

• You will also need either the Government Gateway login for your organisation, or your (AORN) and employer PAYE scheme reference number.

For guidance on how to create an apprenticeship service account, watch our helpful video.

On Course South West will work with apprentices and their employers to devise a training plan that meets the requirements of the apprenticeship and takes into account the needs of the apprentice and the employer. An initial assessment is completed to identify the individual’s abilities in line with the proposed apprenticeship.

The assessment will confirm the following:

• The learner’s eligibility

• Identify any potential learning difficulties / or disabilities

• Identify prior learning and experience in relation to the knowledge, skills and behaviours relevant to the apprenticeship standard

• Conduct a comprehensive “skills scan”

The results of all of the above inform the training plan and the cost, content and duration of the training can be reduced by.  It will also confirm that the apprentice recruited meets funding rules in relation to minimum duration and off the job training requirements. 

The training provider will then produce a training plan with the employer.  The training can be in the workplace, e-learning or blended (a mixture of e-learning and in person training).  

Off the job training normally is around 20% or 1 day a week of the apprentice training period.  With the remaining 80% of the apprentices working week being on the job or practical skills training with the employer.  

On Course South West will work with employers to make sure that the training plan meets the needs of the business, the needs of the learner and the funding rules.  

Finally the apprentice will be at the gateway point and they are ready to complete an end-point assessment. This happens once the practical and all off the job training delivery is complete. The training provider will help with booking the end point assessment with an independent end-point assessment organisation.  

Full details of the examples of the funding rules are here