About About

Introduction

Already providing apprenticeships, or interested in providing more? Whether that means taking on a new recruit, or training one of your existing employees, we hope that this information will help you understand the services and support which we can provide and the role you can play in the process.

What is a degree apprenticeship?

An apprenticeship is a way for people to earn while they learn, often gaining accredited qualifications, proof of their competence in the workplace and often professional recognition. Hiring apprentices, or utilising apprenticeship training for existing employees, helps businesses to grow their own talent by developing a motivated, skilled and qualified workforce.

Your commitment

Employment terms and support

Apprentices must be employed and the conditions of apprentice employment include:

• Apprentices must hold a full employment contract with you for the duration of the apprenticeship programme, including End Point Assessment.

• Apprentices must be employed in a real job that gives them the opportunity to gain the knowledge and skills they need to pass their assessment.

• Apprentices usually work full time for at least 30 paid hours a week and must work more than 16. When an apprentice works fewer than 30 hours per week, the length of their apprenticeship will increase accordingly.

• You must pay your apprentice for time spent training or studying for a relevant qualification, whether while at work or at university. Off-the-job training must amount to 20% of the apprentice’s contracted employment hours across the whole apprenticeship.

• You must offer apprentices the same conditions as other employees working at similar grades or in similar roles. This includes holiday/sick pay and support offered (eg childcare vouchers). You cannot ask the apprentice to contribute towards the cost of their apprenticeship even if they leave before the end of their apprenticeship.

Employers also need to provide support to apprentices to achieve all their learning outcomes and particularly whilst in the workplace. In addition to support provided by their line manager, employers should allocate a workplace mentor to the apprentice who will support and guide them through their course. London Met tutors will build a good working relationship with the line manager and mentor to work together to ensure the apprentice successfully progresses through the course.

The health and safety of the apprentice in the workplace is the responsibility of the employer. London Metropolitan assumes this responsibility when the apprentice is at the University. If required for their role employers should provide Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for the apprentice in the workplace and, if needed, in the University.

The apprentice must be covered under the Employer’s Liability Insurance policy and the University requires confirmation of this insurance before the commencement of the apprenticeship and at each renewal of the policy.

To utilise the Apprenticeship Levy, all employers must sign a written agreement with the University. You need to follow Education and Skills Funding Agency rules and regulations. The apprenticeship team will discuss this with you.

Contact us

If you have any queries, you can send us an email or give us a call on +44(0)20 7133 4162.