What is my role in all this?
As the employer, you have a high level of responsibility. All Way to Work apprentices need to be fully supported by a supervisor. You may need to be present when the learner is having their monthly assessor visit. This is to ensure that you feel involved and can contribute to their learning and development. You are also obliged to pay their salary on time and in accordance to their contract. It is your responsibilty to give the learner up to 6 hours per week to work on their NVQ portfolio. You must also give them formal one-to-one appraisals and monitor their performance in the usual manner. Read more abaout your role and obligation by downloading the employer contract.
How much will it all cost ?
The apprentice will need a wage, as would any other employee of your organisation. Apprentice salaries should be a minimum of £150 per week, and they will also require a pay review which is linked to their performance after the first six months. This is usually around £20 per week.
Way to Work also make a small charge to all employers to cover the cost of the recruitment and on-going support. This is either £16 per week if the learner is 16 to 18 years old or £32 per week for anyone 19 years and over. If however, the vacancy is inner-London then charges and wages will be slightly higher.
The charge is invoiced quarterly for the entire duration of the apprenticeship, and is applicable from the date that they are recruited. On average the total cost of recruiting an apprentice for the first year is roughly £9,500. This takes into account Employers National Insurance contributions, and our fee.
Example 1: You have decided to employ a 17 year old for the apprentice administrator postion.
Salary - £150 x 26 weeks = £3,900
Salary - £170 x 26 weeks = £4,420
Way to Work Costs = £16 per week x 52 = £832
Employer on-costs = £369.12
Total costs in year one = £9,521.12
Approximate costs in year two (advanced apprenticeship) £ 14,036
(based upon salary range £230 - £250)
Example 2: You have decided to employ a 19 year old for the apprentice administrator postion.
Salary - £150 x 26 weeks = £3,900
Salary - £170 x 26 weeks = £4,420
Way to Work Costs = £32 per week x 52 = £1,664
Employer on-costs = £369.12
Total cost in year one = £10,353.12
Approximate costs in year two (advanced apprenticeship) £ 14,868
(based upon salary range £230 - £250)
How much time off do they need?
During your first year, the learner will be required to attend a series of technical certificate workshops based locally at a training office. These workshops are normally betwwen 6 and 8 weeks long, and are scheduled on one day each week. If the young person rerquires key skills support, then they will also be required to sit two sepearte tests during their first year.
How long will it take?
This depends on what occupational area they are tasked with studying. We give all our learners 1 year from the date they start training to complete the foundation apprenticeship in Business administration. Other occupational areas may take slightly longer depending on the framework requirements and also the level of additional support in numeracy and literacy that they may receive.
Does the National Minimum Wage Apply?
There are three rates of National Minimum Wage (NMW). They are based on recommendations of an independent body, 'The Low Pay Commission'.
1. The main (adult) rate applies to workers aged 22 and over and is currently £5.73 per hour.
2. The NMW development rate is currently £4.77 an hour.
The development rate applies to 18 to 21-year-olds but may also apply to workers aged 22 and over during the first six months in new employment, who are receiving accredited training. For the training to apply there must be a written agreement between the worker and the employer, specifying that the worker will attend training on at least 26 days during the first six months of employment.
3. The third NMW rate applies to 16 to 17-year-old workers who are above school leaving age. It is currently £3.53 per hour. Apprentices under the age of 19 are not entitled to the NMW and apprentices over 19 are exempt in their first year. (Business Link)
Does the Way to Work scheme comply with the NMW?
16 – 17 year olds
The current National Minimum Wage (NMW) for 16 – 17 year olds is £3.53 per hour. Although Apprentices are actually exempt from NMW requirements, the Way to Work scheme will have a starting salary of £4.29 which will rise as outlined in the table above, so is therefore compliant with the NMW for this age group.
18 – 21 year olds
The current NMW development rate which applies to 18 –21 year olds is £4.77 per hour. Apprentices will actually be starting on £4.29 per hour, and although this is £0.48 less than the NMW guidelines for this age group, apprentices are exempt from NMW requirements in there first year.
It is required that apprentices who are 19+ must be paid NMW from the start of their second year. The table above shows that the starting salary in the second year is £6.00 (rising to £6.57 after 6 months). The Way to Work apprenticeship scheme is therefore also compliant with the NMW for this age group.
22 +
The NMW rate for 22+ is £5.73 per hour. Our salary guidelines start at £4.29 per hour, and although this is lower than the NMW guidelines for 22+ we are legally compliant, as apprentices over the age of 19 are also exempt in their first year. It is required that apprentices who are 19+ must be paid NMW from the second year and, as the table above shows, the starting salary in the second year is £6.00 (rising to £6.57 after 6 months). The apprenticeship scheme is therefore also leagally compliant with the NMW for this age group.
