Peterborough Skills Academy – Employer Info
Course information for; MET, LVM, Panel, Paint
Apprenticeship Proposal
Peterborough Skills Academy proposes to provide a quality apprenticeship service to your business. PSA Training will support the employer through its journey from recruitment to completion of an apprenticeship once we have presented credible candidate(s) to you.
We offer a professional, friendly and personal service with:
Support with recruitment process
Peterborough Skills Academy aims to find the perfect match between the employer and apprentice. Typically, we send out adverts on jobsites, as well as have potential apprentices approach us through our social media and website. There is also the opportunity to advertise the role on the Indeed website for a small fee of £50. The applicants are then screened, and then they fill out an application form. We check their details prior to introducing them to your business for an interview. Normally, we send two or three candidates through to an employer.
Free on-line VLE (virtual learning environment)
Apprentices can study at work or at home with the use of our VLE – this offers comprehensive learning materials to aid development.
Continuous support for both employer and apprentice
PSA Training will be at service for any information, advice and guidance needed for the duration and completion when necessary.
Flexibility during busy times and sickness
We will endeavour to be understanding during times when it may not be possible for assessors to meet with yourself or the apprentice.
Roll on-Roll off programmes
PSA Training can start a learner at any time during the year.
Apprenticeship Information:
Funding:
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Apprenticeships aged 16-18 are funded by the government. As it stands there is a government incentive reward of £1,000. £500 paid on 90 days, £500 paid on 365 days.
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Apprenticeships aged 19+ require a contribution of around 5% of the complete cost form the employer
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The minimum wage of an apprentice is £3.90 for the first year, and then goes up to their age related minimum wage in the second year, although an employer can choose to pay more
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The typical duration is 12 and 18 months, depending on whether they need any functional skills
How the apprenticeships work:
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The apprenticeship is generally work based learning, with flexibility of college hours
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The assessors visit the apprentice every 4-6 weeks, to go over their progress, make sure they feel confident with all topics and give help where needed
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The apprentice has to document and photograph evidence of their work, which is then uploaded onto their eportfolio
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Online portfolio – there is a dashboard on the home page. It allows the apprentice and the employer to see a pie chart, which indicates how much work they have done towards their eportfolio. This makes it easier for the employers and the assessors to track the learning of the learner. Once they have become confident in each topic, the assessor will set them up on online tests, which are multiple choice
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The apprentice needs to complete an ‘off the job’ training log. The ‘off the job’ training, includes ANY training given at work and course work, should amount to 20% of their total hours
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A review is held every 10 weeks with the apprentice’s line manager and the assessor to discuss the apprentice’s personal performance, attendance, punctuality, attitude and performance.
Qualification:
The apprentice will working towards either a Level 2 or Level 3 (depending on knowledge and experience) diploma in vehicle maintenance and repair. The awarding body is the Institute of Motoring Industry (IMI), who are recognised worldwide.
Benefits to the employer:
One benefit to the employer is that it enables them to keep their company fully up to date with the industry, as the apprentice framework follows all the up to dates practices. Another benefit is the cost effectiveness of hiring an apprentice; whilst the apprentice is in their first year, it would cost a lot less to hire and train an apprentice, than to hire someone already qualified. It also gives the employer opportunity to train an apprentice to their standards, rather than hiring someone with possible substandard work ethics already ingrained in them by previous employers.
Functional Skills:
Functional Skills are offered to apprentices who did not achieve C grades or above in English Maths and ICT. They are offered in both Levels 1 & 2. Our aim is to up skill the apprentices. The way we determine what level they are working at, is by setting them up on a virtual learning portal, and getting them to complete diagnostic assessments in each subject. This tells us where they need to start and what we need to do to get them confident to sit an exam at a higher level. We have a 92% success rate on all exams taken.