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Its a good question Mitchel, and one that we've been looking at
We think we're going to start with an admin assistant apprentice rather than an outdoors one; easier to fulfill the 30 hours a week criteria, plus our local college has business students and they do a lot of the legwork in finding suitable candidates
The training element is important and time consuming on the employers part - it seems they dont all go to college (yep news to me, too)
the government does give money to SMEs who take on an apprentice, but its not a lot
and its important to make sure an apprentice has a contract of employment as it would be with any employee
Check out the National Apprenticeship Service, Skills Funding Agency for some more info
and keep us posted!
The whole Apprenticeship scheme is changing to give employers more control as we found out.
Anyone in the FSB will have access to a great 3 page article explaining how these changes (proposed in 2012) are now being implemented.
Current Apprencticeships will continue until they complete. Also the funding matrix has massively changed.
Key Apprenticeship changes in 2015 (FSB Summary)
1 Apprenticeships must have a direct link to a real job, with simple, approved standards listed on no more that two sides of A4
2 Apprenticeships will be graded - pass, merit, distinction - and independently assessed when the individual reaches the end of the scheme
3 Apprenticeships must reach level two in English & Maths before completing scheme
4 Apprenticeships are funded through a digital voucher scheme, given directly to employers by the Skills Funding Agency
5 The £1500 AGE grant is replaced with a 3 tier grant
6 The national apprentice min wage is increased by 20%
7 Current apprenticeships can continue under the old system
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-42092171