Employers are key to a successful Apprenticeship. Together with local employers, Rochdale Training has supported over 30,000 Apprentices and Trainees since 1966. This partnership is special with some key ingredients for success.
Employer Commitment
Our employers value and respect Apprentices, they provide a safe working environment, help individuals to develop their skills and fully support and give feedback for their hard work. Many of our Apprentices stay with their original employer, taking more responsibility and building on the skills gained during their Apprenticeship.
You are responsible for making sure your Apprentice:
- works with experienced staff
- learns job-specific skills
- gets time off during their working week for Apprenticeship training
Workforce Training
You can upskill and retrain your existing workforce using Apprenticeship training.
You can use Apprenticeship training to:
- fill key skill gaps in your business
- boost employee motivation by investing in their development
- improve retention
For example, an experienced employee may be keen to get a formal qualification in their specialist area. Or perhaps someone has the aptitude and drive to learn something new and progress into a different role.
Employer Incentives for recruiting an Apprentice
Employers could be eligible for £1000 incentive per apprentice if they hire an eligible apprentice. Payments are made in two parts at 90 and 365 days of the training period.
The Apprentice must be either aged 16 to 18 years old, or aged 19 to 25 years old and have an education health care (EHC) plan or has been in the care of their local authority.
Free Recruitment Service
We have our very own recruitment team that will find a selection of suitable candidates. Our team will advertise, recruit and pre-screen candidates free of charge until you happy with the successful candidate.
Become a member company of Rochdale Training
As a member company of Rochdale Training, you are not only part of the organisation, but you also have a voice in its future growth and development. In return, you will receive tangible benefits in the form of discounted rates on short courses and room hire. Members also have the opportunity to be represented at school career evenings, awards evenings and breakfast events. There are different levels of membership, which can be found by scanning this QR code:
Funding the Apprenticeship
Under 50 Employees
If you have under 50 employees and employ an Apprentice aged 16-18, there is no cost for the services Rochdale Training provides. There is a 5% employer contribution if you recruit an Apprentice aged 19 or over.
Over 50 Employees
If your wage bill is under £3m each year and you have over 50 employees, you are a ‘non-levy paying employer’ but still share the cost of training and assessing your apprentices with the government - this support with apprenticeship costs is called ‘co-investment’. The co-investment rate has changed for new apprenticeships starting on or after 1 April 2019. You will now pay 5% towards the cost of apprenticeship training. The government will pay the rest (95%) up to the funding band maximum.
Wage Bill of more than £3 million
As an employer with a wage bill of more than £3 million, you’re required to pay the apprenticeship levy. You can manage funds using the apprenticeship service and spend it on training and assessing your apprentices. The government will apply a 10% top-up to the funds you have in your account. If you don’t have enough funds, you just pay 5% of the outstanding balance and the government will pay the rest.
