< Previous30 Business Link www.blmforum.net TRAINING AND APPRENTICESHIPS T hough historically associated with school leavers, apprenticeships provide people of all ages an opportunity to earn while they learn and build or further a career. Whether looking to hire new staff or upskill existing employees, from entry level to management, apprenticeships can apply to employees at all levels. The apprenticeship system however has been strongly critiqued in the past, especially since the introduction of the Apprenticeship Levy, and new starters have fallen - dropping from just under 500,000 a year in 2016/17, before the introduction of the Apprenticeship Levy, to under 325,000 in 2020/21. The Government has subsequently been renewing its push to bolster their uptake, particularly in light of major skills shortages, claiming them to be a cornerstone of plans to level up the country, and with the levy under review and changes on the way for apprenticeships there is a chance to assess how they can be reformulated to meet the needs of businesses in present day. Figures suggest recovery may already be in sight with over 40% more people starting apprenticeships in the first quarter of 2021/22 than in the same period 2020/21, which is up again from pre-pandemic levels in 2019. This revival may well be boosted as improvements to apprenticeships come into force from August 2022, to make the system simpler for employers, training providers and apprentices. Minister for Skills, Alex Burghart, explained: “We now want to focus on making the system as simple and user-friendly as possible, reducing bureaucratic burdens on employers and providers and giving apprentices the best possible experience.” The tweaks include making it simpler for individuals to accelerate their apprenticeship by acknowledging prior learning and experience. By improving how providers take account of this at the start of their apprenticeship, apprentices will be able to cut out training they do not require and complete their apprenticeship more quickly, meaning they can spend more time in the workplace and will become fully competent sooner, elevating employer productivity and their own earnings potential. Additionally, as part of the improvements, a consistent baseline for off-the-job training is to be introduced, specifying the minimum number of hours that a full-time apprentice must spend in training. This is said to simplify the reporting for providers and create a level-playing field among apprentices who are on the same standard but working different hours. It means that apprentices who work more than 30 hours a week will be able to spend more time on the job delivering for employers, while still getting the vital training they need to complete their apprenticeships. Changes are also coming to English and maths requirements for Level 2 apprentices who start with the lowest level of prior attainment in English and maths. People who start a L2 apprenticeship without L1 English and maths will no longer need to automatically attempt L2 English and maths tests to complete their apprenticeship. It will mean that Apprenticeships: the solution to the skills crisis? With recruitment and skills crises, apprenticeships are being proposed as a potential solution, while holding a key role in the levelling up agenda. 32 Á 30-33.qxp_Layout 1 04/07/2022 13:54 Page 1www.blmforum.net Business Link 31 TRAINING AND APPRENTICESHIPS © stock.adobe.com/Kzenon 30-33.qxp_Layout 1 04/07/2022 13:54 Page 232 Business Link www.blmforum.net TRAINING AND APPRENTICESHIPS thousands of L2 apprentices can focus on securing a L1 English and maths qualification with only those who are really ready to take the Level 2 tests attempting them. A more efficient payment service is also on the cards for providers, and Government says it will do more to ensure that employers promptly receive their £1,000 additional support payment if they take on an eligible young apprentice. The changes follow the introduction of new flexible apprenticeships, to create opportunities for more people in industries that boost the economy. The Government’s new flexi-job apprenticeship scheme will allow people to complete short placements across sectors such as construction and creative during their apprenticeship, opening up a new paid training route to a career in these industries, to address that some sectors with flexible employment patterns and short-term roles have previously found it harder to take on an apprentice. Apprenticeships are at least 12 months long, and apprentices need guaranteed employment and pay for that whole period. The new scheme will put an end to this by using agencies that can act as employers and place apprentices on projects in different companies. An apprentice working in construction for example could fulfil several contracts. There are myriad reasons why a business should consider utilising apprenticeships, which help bring valuable skills into your business, even ahead of new changes. Often overlooked is that apprentices can be employed at different levels, from school leavers to university graduates, to the less thought of people who want to further their careers or change career direction; you can hire someone new or upskill an existing employee. As we tackle recruitment and skills crises, apprenticeships may well become an important tool to fill key gaps in an organisation and improve retention. Designed by employers to reflect the relevant knowledge, skills, and behaviours that businesses need, there are apprenticeships from level 2 to level 7 (equivalent to a degree) which allow firms to find apprenticeships that suit their learning and development requirements. Research from Grant Thornton indicates that businesses are recognising this and strategically making use of apprenticeships as a means of upskilling their people at all levels, achieving sustainable recruitment, gaining more desirable qualifications within a business, and advancing social mobility. Moreover, the usefulness of the ability to tailor apprenticeships to specific development requirements is being understood, with many firms utilising courses to gain valuable new skills in the fields of digital and data analysis, for example, for their organisation, plugging skills gaps. Further reasons for embracing apprenticeships include the funding available. Indeed employers could be eligible for financial help and grants from the Government to fund apprentices, such as the £1,000 incentive for hiring an apprentice 16-18 years old or 19-24 years old with an education, health and care plan, or who has been in the care of their local authority. Whether new members of staff, or existing employees being upskilled, an apprenticeship can be a cost-effective option to develop the skills you need in your firm and train your workforce to be fit for the future. One’s apprenticeship levy pot holds the funds to cover training costs while there are also routes for non-levy paying businesses, who can for instance share the cost of apprenticeship training with Government. Meanwhile apprenticeships offer a way of increasing the diversity of your teams, which is central to forming a well-rounded, innovative workforce with fresh perspectives. Official statistics from the Government’s National Apprenticeship Service state that: * 86% of employers said apprenticeships helped them develop skills relevant to their organisation * 78% of employers said apprenticeships helped them improve productivity * 74% of employers said apprenticeships helped them improve the quality of their product or service 30-33.qxp_Layout 1 04/07/2022 13:54 Page 3www.blmforum.net Business Link 33 TRAINING AND APPRENTICESHIPS Cargo Training International n AIR, SEA AND ROAD TRAINING n REGULAR UK COURSES n WORLDWIDE IN-HOUSE PROGRAMMES n CAA APPROVED FOR ALL YOUR DANGEROUS GOODS TRAINING NEEDS FOR ALL OUR TRAINING DATES & VENUES VISIT OUR WEBSITE www.cargotraining.com UK OFFICE: PO Box 176, Shepperton, TW17 8WP Tel: 01932 769 682 • E-mail: sales@cargotraining.com Cargo Training International are market leaders in Dangerous Goods training / Hazardous Goods Training (Hazmat). Our fully qualified trainers have been running scheduled training courses in the UK and worldwide for nearly 25 years. Though apprenticeships are certainly valuable for creating and developing your workforce, in-house training is another route increasingly being sought to adapt to the skills shortage and lack of qualified candidates, particularly where only a short duration of training is required - perhaps to respond to changes to legislation or as part of professional practice - or group training is to be undertaken. The flexibility of in-house training formats is a key reason for the popularity, with the skills development courses offered by in-house training providers customisable for employees. It means that staff can develop in the areas where they need it most, and by businesses themselves setting the objectives of the training with the expert provider, facilitates a higher return on investment. Bespoke in-house training can also be delivered at one’s convenience, with the business choosing the delivery mode, location, and time best for staff, reducing potential disruption. Some businesses however are working with training providers to integrate content delivered in in-house training within an apprenticeship, seeking a longer period of support for employees to enhance their knowledge and skills while gaining qualifications. © stock.adobe.com/goodluz 30-33.qxp_Layout 1 04/07/2022 13:54 Page 434 Business Link www.blmforum.net CHRISTMAS IN JULY Party hard It may feel too soon to talk about Christmas parties but given two years in lockdown, failing to have one in 2022 might be a warning death knell to disillusioned and socially starved employees. 34-37.qxp_Layout 1 04/07/2022 13:57 Page 1www.blmforum.net Business Link 35 CHRISTMAS IN JULY T alking about Christmas in the middle of July might rightfully sound like a stupid idea, and yet it’s worth remembering that 2022 is the first full year out of lockdown, and that for many of us the Christmas party was either cancelled or scaled back drastically. Even those that hosted them would have done so with lockdown rules, social distancing and all the other necessities that would have taken away from the social aspect. We are right now in the middle of a time when businesses are struggling to keep hold of good staff and where hiring new ones is difficult, meaning that employee retention is more important now than ever. Can any business in the region, then, afford to not plan something big for the first end-of- year out of lockdown? We’ve all been told that life and business are returning to normal but if normal for the past two years was a quiet party, and normal this year is another quiet party, then employees might begin to think that their business life might be more interesting elsewhere. Therefore, it might be time to start thinking about something big this Christmas. It might even be time to think of something sooner than Christmas. It’s no secret that many people look for new work over the holiday period, to start in the new year, and waiting all the way until December might only make employees feel that their workplace is a duller experience than working from home as they likely were during the lockdown. The goal should be to show that coming into the office comes with extra benefits, and not just pay – that comes as standard for any employment, so it’s not really a good weapon for employers to use. Planning something big this year can help bring people back to working life with a bang, remind them © stock.adobe.com/Shutter B 36 Á © stock.adobe.com/master1305 34-37.qxp_Layout 1 04/07/2022 13:57 Page 236 Business Link www.blmforum.net CHRISTMAS IN JULY of what benefits await them and reinforce social bonds that may well have weakened over time. If your traditional Christmas do is a pub and a meal, however, this might be the year to think bigger. There’s no need to break the bank because there are plenty of venues that will offer a party atmosphere with meals, drinks, bands or comedians available. Some can be hired out solely for one company but many take on several SME’s and run the parties at the same time, with smaller companies having individual tables to themselves. A lot of these venues will already be taking bookings for their Christmas parties, and the best are likely to be well booked up before September, hence the purpose of talking about it in July. That’s not the only reason to discuss the Christmas party now, however. The other is that given half the year has passed by and staff are now reaching the halfway mark and might well be thinking about whether they want to keep working for you, it may well be time to talk to your employees about the Christmas party, get their thoughts and drum up some excitement. While everyone loves a good surprise, keeping quiet on this until the eleventh month might only reveal the unfortunate surprise that several members of staff have started looking for work elsewhere. The sooner it is brought up, even if only in concept, the sooner an employer can show to their employees that they are thinking about their happiness. Even lip service is better than no service. Given that this will be the first major work party in years for many of them, it’s worth investing a little more in making it stand out, and worth talking with teams in advance to get their opinion. This is never easy as there are always bound to be conflicting opinions with some people preferring small events or none at all, and some wanting large, flamboyant parties filled with alcohol. As ever, you can try to strike the right balance, or you can focus on providing the best experience for the majority and © stock.adobe.com/santypan 34-37.qxp_Layout 1 04/07/2022 13:57 Page 3www.blmforum.net Business Link 37 CHRISTMAS IN JULY The Oaklands Hall Hotel Barton Street | Laceby | Grimsby | Lincolnshire | DN37 7LF (01472) 872248 | reception@oaklandshallhotel.co.uk | www.oaklandshallhotel.co.uk We are taking booking for Christmas Parties and Events 01472 872248 CHRISTMAS & NEW YEAR 2022 Get into the festive spirit and join us for one of our themed Christmas Party Nights. •5 star entertainment every night •Our jam packed Christmas Calendar has something for everyone •Our themed Christmas Party Nights are now even more exclusive and with enhanced VIP service levels we can promise a First Class Christmas •Accommodation packages available for Party Nights •Drinks packages available for Party Nights make it clear that attendance is by no means obligatory. Larger companies might want to delegate these talks to individual team managers who should have greater rapport with their teams, and who employees should hopefully feel more comfortable in confiding their thoughts with. As always, there are tax reliefs and benefits to holding work parties and financial advisors should be consulted to see what can and can’t be saved. Some of the details will be looked into in future issues of the Business Link Magazine, but the obvious advice is to keep all receipts in the interim and store them away safely. There’s no reason to break the bank this year, but there is good reason to go a little further than the company normally would. It’s been a strange and tenuous few years after all, and rather than welcoming employees back to more of the same, we need to give them reason to want to stay. © stock.adobe.com/Mediteraneo 34-37.qxp_Layout 1 04/07/2022 13:57 Page 438 Business Link www.blmforum.net AUTOLINK Summer Summer is here, so we’ve done our research on the coolest convertibles for this season. Rolls-Royce Dawn Black Badge Convertibles for 38-41.qxp_Layout 1 04/07/2022 13:59 Page 1www.blmforum.net Business Link 39 AUTOLINK Rolls-Royce Dawn Black Badge If the standard Rolls-Royce Dawn is the pinnacle of luxury, then the 155mph Black Badge Convertible is the identical but slightly evil twin. A bit like a gravelly-voiced baddie in a Bond movie, there’s an aura of well-roundedness and sophistication, but you know you’re playing with fire if you get too close. As the name suggests, Black Badge replaces much of the chrome with black. It is still the same 6.6-litre V12 engine below the bonnet, but there’s now 600PS instead of 570. The Black Badge will do 0-62mph in 4.9-seconds – and you’ll know about it. The engine noise is delightful as you put your foot down, and it accelerates very quickly, but not in a boisterous or ungainly way. In the front, there’s a lot of space, and, being a Convertible, you’d imagine that it’s a requirement to have tiny legs to get into the back. But you’d be wrong. Thanks to the car being almost 5.3-metres long, you could be nearly as comfortable in the rear seats as a four-door Phantom. There are also 295 litres of space in the boot, although this reduces with the roof down. It is rapid for such a hefty car and, for something not built for sporty handling, it’s not bad around the bends either. All you need to do is find the best part of £350,000. 40 Á 38-41.qxp_Layout 1 04/07/2022 13:59 Page 2Next >