Hire an Apprentice

At SMB College Group we know that when you're building and growing your business, finding, training, and employing the right staff is vital. We work closely with our employers to ensure our apprenticeships deliver the skills you need right now. Apprentices offer a fantastic route for businesses to employ job-ready recruits and train them while they are on the job.

Whether you are looking to employ someone new or train one of your existing employees, most apprenticeships can be tailored to fit specific job roles and functions, giving your staff the skills that are relevant for your business and giving you the confidence that your team are gaining the relevant skills to achieve your business objectives.

What Are The Benefits Of Employing An Apprentice?

An Apprentice gives you the opportunity to train and shape the employees you need. At SMB College Group, we can deliver apprenticeships for both new recruits and your existing employees, and there are no age restrictions to becoming an apprentice as long as they are 16 or over.

Government funding is available to support you and may cover 100% of the costs of the training. You can find out more about the grants and funding here.

88% of employers think apprenticeships lead to a more motivated and satisfied workforce

86% of employers said apprenticeships helped them develop skills relevant to their organisation

78% of employers said apprenticeships helped them improve productivity

The average apprenticeship completer increases business productivity by £214 per week

Apprentices bring fresh, innovative and creative ideas into a business

66% of employers believe that their apprenticeship programme helps them fill vacancies more quickly

How SMB College Group Can Support You

Your team are your most important asset, so making sure you work with a partner that delivers quality training and understands the needs of your business is priceless.

We Provide A Free Recruitment Service

SMB College Group offers a straightforward free recruitment service to support employers in their search to employ an apprentice. As a part of this free recruitment service, we offer a range of support to ensure the smooth running of recruitment from start to finish. Some of the support that we currently offer includes:

• Uploading vacancies to the National Apprenticeship site
• Sending acknowledgements on receipt of an application
• Shortlisting applications against the criteria set by the company
• Sending weekly updates regarding application numbers
• Handling enquiries from potential applicants
• Arranging Information and Assessment Days, either in college or at the employer’s chosen location
• Corresponding with candidates to advise them of assessment and interview dates and locations
• Sending unsuccessful letters to candidates

We Deliver High-Quality Training That Works For You

The delivery of our apprenticeships is planned with our employers in mind. The college works with national employers from all over the UK to deliver apprenticeship training across their various sites and sectors within their business. 

Apprentices attend College for their 20% off-the-job training, either on a Day Release or Block Release basis:

• Day Release
  Students attend college one day a week

• Block Release
  Delivery of some of our apprenticeship programmes is through Block Release training. This provides a more flexible approach for both the employer and apprentice, allowing employers to plan their work more efficiently, in addition to allowing the apprentice to have set periods of concentrated learning at the college throughout the year.
  
  Apprentices will be released from work for longer periods of training with attendance at college at various points throughout the academic year.
  
  Homestay: For apprentices studying at the Stephenson Campus on a Block Release basis, we offer the option of homestay accommodation.
  
  Halls of residence: For apprentices studying at the Brooksby Campus on a Block Release basis, we offer the option of on-site Halls of Residence accommodation.

We Have Fantastic Facilities For Our Employers To Use

For our national employers, we can arrange FREE use of our facilities for them to deliver their own in-house training to their apprentices when they are in college. The block weeks are timetabled to provide free periods where the apprentice is encouraged to do independent study. These sessions can also be used by the company to deliver their own training and/or hold meetings with their apprentices.

Frequently Asked Questions About Apprenticeships

• What is an apprenticeship?

  An apprenticeship is a full-time job with training that leads to the apprentice gaining a recognised qualification, as well as essential on-the-job experience, all while earning a wage. By hiring an apprentice, you can develop a motivated, skilled and qualified workforce that meets the specific needs of your business.

• Can an existing staff member do an apprenticeship?

  Yes! For existing employees, we can deliver apprenticeships that are bespoke to their job role, their development within the business, and specifically identified business needs (e.g. management, leadership, business processes, customer services, etc.). This is a great option to help individuals take the next step in their careers and gain a recognised qualification up to degree level.

• How much should you pay an apprentice?

  As the employer, how much you pay your apprentice is at your discretion, although you must pay at least the National Minimum Apprentice Wage for apprentices aged 16-18 and those aged 19 or over who are in the first year of their apprenticeship. Most employers look to pay more than this.

• How long does an apprenticeship last?

  An apprenticeship can last between one and four years, depending on the type of apprenticeship and the level of qualification the individual is working towards.

• What do different apprenticeship levels mean?

  

• What area do you deliver apprenticeships in?

  We support both local and national companies to find the right apprentice(s) for their business. No matter where you are located in the country, we provide the same service to everyone.

• Do apprenticeships start in September?

  Apprenticeships can be delivered throughout the year, allowing you to recruit at a time that suits your business requirements, rather than waiting until the start of a term. 

Want to know more?

To speak to one of our Advisors about taking on an apprentice, or developing your existing workforce, get in touch atThis email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 01530 519 001.