Apprenticeships for employers

Business benefits of an apprenticeship

Investing in an apprenticeship has many benefits, not least to your employee's personal and professional development, but to the quality and performance of your business. 

Apprenticeships are highly accessible meaning people from all backgrounds can engage in higher education and achieve a recognised university qualification. Here's a brief snapshot of what an apprenticeship can offer you: 

Selecting your apprenticeship

Buxton and Leek College offer intermediate apprenticeships (Level 2) and advanced apprenticeships (Level 3). These are equivalent to five GCSEs and two A-levels respectively.

Levels 4 and above

In partnership with The Institute of Apprenticeships, we can offer Business Apprenticeships from level 2 to level 7.

Apprenticeships in development 

We're preparing to introduce a range of new and exciting programmes in Health and Social Care, including: 

  • Physicians Associate 
  • Occupational Therapy 
  • Physiotherapy 
  • Midwifery 
  • Social Work 
  • Youth Work 
  • Public Health Practitioner 
  • Project Manager 
  • Specialist Community Public Health Nurse 
  • District Nurse

In partnership with Buxton and Leek College we offer hospitality apprenticeships from level 2 to level 7.

Find out more information on our Mineral Products apprenticeships.

Funding your apprenticeships

Businesses with an annual payroll of over £3 million are already paying for the delivery of apprenticeship schemes through the national Apprenticeship Levy - think of this as a mandatory tax that your business sets aside to fund apprenticeship training. 

If your business is not big enough to pay into this Levy, the government will subsidise 95% of the costs associated with training an apprentice (up to the funding band maximum) meaning your business will only need to pay 5%. This funding scheme is called 'co-investment'. 

If you're a non-levy paying employer taking on a new apprentice between the age of 16-21, their apprenticeship will be fully funded (up to the maximum funding band). 

A young man sitting in front of a computer

Transfer Levy

If you pay the Apprenticeship Levy and have unused apprenticeship funds, you can transfer this within your business. Transferred funds can be used by the receiving employer to upskill other staff.

Find out more about the Transfer Levy Find out more about the Transfer Levy

FAQs

Our work-based programmes require a combination of on-the-job learning as well as on-campus study at the University of Derby. Apprentices are required to attend on day or block release from their employment. Patterns of attendance will vary depending on the course. There is a 20% mandatory ‘off-the-job’ learning requirement for apprenticeships. Our programmes are specially-designed to help apprentices link academic theory to their employment setting, enabling them to apply their developing skills and knowledge within their job role. Apprentices are encouraged to use real work problems and issues to inform and enhance their knowledge, and provide evidence of this learning for assessment purposes.

The University of Derby supports its apprentices with online resources, including readings, podcasts and recordings of lectures and tutorials. Apprentices will also have a personal tutor to review progress and identify further learning opportunities – pushing those who are doing well, and helping those who require additional support. Apprentices will be given work-related activities to undertake, which can be designed in consultation with employers to ensure your organisation receives a real benefit. This type of activity can be scheduled to suit the apprentice, enabling them to learn to manage their time and workload effectively.

‘Off-the-job’ training is defined as the time spent by the apprentice away from the employment setting (or within the employment setting but outside of their usual duties) that directly relates to the apprenticeship framework or standard. Each apprenticeship programme requires a minimum time spent undertaking this type of training, and it can be spread over the duration of the programme.

What counts as ‘off-the-job’-training?

  • Theory teaching, including lectures, role playing, simulation exercises, online learning and manufacturer training
  • Practical training, including shadowing, mentoring and industry visits
  • Learning support (including using online material) and time spent working on assignments

It does not include:

  • Training undertaken in English or maths
  • Progress reviews
  • Apprenticeship framework or standard assessments
  • Any training which takes place outside of the apprentice’s paid working hours

Time spent in ‘off-the-job’ training must be recorded by the apprentice.

The time it takes for an apprentice to complete a higher or degree apprenticeship at the University of Derby varies, and can be affected by a number of factors. Our courses are offered over a minimum number of years, and vary by apprenticeship standard, the type of programme, employer requirements/expectations and the development of the apprentice. Each apprenticeship is tailor-made to employer experience and to meet your entry criteria.

Yes. We can help you to identify staff currently in your organisation who could make good apprenticeship candidates, as well as assisting you to recruit suitable apprentices from outside your organisation. We have plenty of ideas to help you attract the right candidates. These may include: school and college visits, university open days, events, recruitment open days and work experience. Contact us for more information.

Employers must provide apprentices with employment in a real position within its organisation, giving them a minimum of 30 hours per week and paying them a wage or salary that meets minimum requirements. Employers must provide on the job training, and release their employee for University-based training in order to meet course requirements.

We’ll help you with any paperwork to ensure a smooth process throughout the duration of an apprenticeship. Paperwork you can expect to complete includes:

  • An employer contract
  • Finance schedule
  • ESFA funding eligibility declarations
  • Commitment statements
  • Any other documents relating to your employee in accordance with ESFA funding rules
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End Point Assessment (EPA)

Select the University of Derby as your End Point Assessment organisation for advice, support and quality assurance.

Find out moreFind out more
A'Outstanding' Ofsted rating for Primary, Secondary and Post-14 Further Education and Skills (Ofsted 2023/24)