Employer information
MidKent College has been delivering apprenticeships for many years. We aim to provide high quality training, supporting employers to upskill their teams across Kent.
Being based in an area where more than 60,000 SMEs operate means we understand the challenges faced by employers of all sizes in ensuring workforces are meeting the skills requirements needed. By providing an apprenticeship service we can help you grow a skilled, motivated and qualified workforce, integral for businesses success.
Why choose a MidKent College apprenticeship programme?
- Access to a wide range of potential candidates with a free screening process;
- We can support you for free with advertising and recruiting your apprentices, from initial enquiry through to onboarding to the apprenticeship;
- Clear, practical support with funding and compliance – helping you navigate the Government Digital Apprenticeship Service (DAS) platform and understanding the levy;
- A learning plan that meets both employer and apprentice needs, which includes off-the-job training to support apprentice development, along with added support in improving numeracy, literacy and computer skills;
- On-the-job assessment methods and a dedicated training officer giving guidance and assessment visits.
Why are apprenticeships worthwhile?
Apprenticeships are great because they involve a mixture of workplace learning, off-the-job training and the chance to practice and develop skills in the working environment. This differentiates apprenticeships from narrowly focused training courses undertaken to suit job needs, they are more encompassing and develop knowledge, skills and behaviours.
Apprentices can bring fresh ideas and creativity to your business, often finding inspiring solutions to problems. They can be a flexible workforce for you and often demonstrate a keen motivated attitude towards learning. Increased productivity and reliability also come with having apprentices as part of your workforce.
We offer a variety of apprenticeships; these are reviewed every year to ensure we are meeting both local Kent based and national employer demands. The College offers full support in ensuring your workplace is the right fit for an apprentice, helping you to navigate access to funding, integrating current employment legislation and supporting you to meet with requirements for your apprentice to grow and develop. To find out more about our apprenticeship programmes, visit the MidKent College Apprenticeships page.
Do you want to find out more about the apprenticeship process and how it could be a great opportunity for you as an employer?
Complete the form below and a member of our team will be in touch soon - we look forward to hearing from you.
Contact the Apprenticeship Team
- Why choose us as your apprenticeship provider?
We have industry experienced trainers who provide real life knowledge and skills to your apprentice. Our apprenticeship managers will work with you to ensure the core knowledge, skills and behaviours are delivered across the programme and tailored to meet your business needs. We are rated Good by Ofsted and have been delivering apprenticeship standards for over 15 years.
Our Apprenticeship recruitment team will support you with the advertising and recruiting of your apprentices and guiding you through the process.
Our campuses provide a range of other pastoral support and a commitment to education and safeguarding for all our students.
- Will you help me recruit an apprentice?
Yes, we can help you with placing an advert on the Government Apprenticeship service and we can support you with shortlisting if you wish us to do so. We also offer the opportunity for you to meet with any interested students and can arrange rooms for you to hold interviews.
You may also opt to upskill existing employees with an apprenticeship.
- What are my responsibilities as an employer?
Provide a suitable job role that allows them to learn skills relevant to their apprenticeship;
Support their training, including allowing time for off-the-job learning;
Give supervision and mentoring to help them develop;
Ensure a safe working environment (health & safety responsibilities apply);
Work with the training provider, including reviews and progress checks;
Offer a contract of employment and follow employment law (holidays, working hours, etc.)
- How can I access funding for an apprentice?
All employers will need to make a funding application via the apprenticeship service account, which you can find here: Employing an apprentice: Get funding for apprenticeship training - GOV.UK
CITB also support with apprenticeship funding.
Contact our team and we can help break this down for you.
- Are there any age limits?
An apprentice must be over the age of 16 and finished year 11. There is no upper age limit; many companies use apprenticeships for existing staff to upskill and further develop the workforce.
- How much should I pay an apprentice?
They will have a contract of employment with you and must be on your PAYE scheme. They are entitled to the same rights as other workers such as paid holidays, sick pay and any other benefits you provide. They must be paid for time spent training or studying for their apprenticeship.
We encourage employers to pay above the minimum wage: Employing an apprentice: Pay and conditions for apprentices - GOV.UK
- How long is an apprenticeship?
They vary according across the levels and sectors but typically take a minimum of a year to complete with some taking up 2 to 4 years depending on the specialism.
- What is off-the-job training (OTJ)?
By law all apprentices must spend a minimum of six hours (paid) per week undertaking off the job training towards their apprenticeship (not including English and maths), usually attending college one a day a week although this may vary for some programmes.
- How is an apprenticeship assessed?
Apprenitices will have task to submit throughout their apprenticeship to their tutor/coach and will then complete an End Point Assessment (EPA) at the end of the programme. This is different for each standard and assessed by a qualified assessor, examples may be observations, projects, presentations and portfolio discussions.
- Do I have to offer them a permanent position at the end of their apprenticeship?
They must work at least 30 hours a week whilst on apprenticeship. You can offer a permanent position when you recruit, or you may opt to offer a fixed term position however this must cover the duration of their apprenticeship and End Point Assessment Period.
- What qualifications do they need?
These vary across apprenticeship standards, we can help you understand these.
- Do they need to have passed maths and English? What are functional skills?
There is funding available to support people who have not already achieved their maths and English GCSE or equivalent grades A*-C or grades 4-9.
English and maths is generally required however applicants over the age of 19 can be opted out of this if an employer chooses to do so. If an apprentice hasn’t got the required maths and English grades, they will be supported on program to study their functional skills, we can discuss this with you.
Further information can be found at Employing an apprentice: Overview - GOV.UK
