Shaun expands on the theme of apprenticeships by highlighting the specific routes according to where your business is based is based in the UK.

IN March, I outlined the benefits employing an apprentice could have on your business and an overview of the formal apprenticeship system. I must admit it’s always nice to hear from people who’ve read my article and find it helpful but this one resulted in lots of communication regarding apprenticeships in the UK. I thought I’d expand on the theme of apprenticeships in this article by highlighting the specific routes according to where your business is based in the UK.

ENGLAND
Title & Duration: Floorlayer L2 Apprenticeship Standard (36 months)
Content: Modules on skills, knowledge and behaviours as well as functional skills in maths and English
Overview: An employer-led, formal system of training people with a mixture of ‘on’ and ‘off’ the job training. The apprenticeship standard outlines the knowledge, skills, and behaviours (KSBs) required to become a floorlayer job role.

It is an employed and paid position with at least 20% of the apprentice’s time set aside for learning, with a college or training provider. When the apprentice, employer and training provider are all happy the apprentice has received the relevant training to meet the standards required, the apprentice will take part in a final assessment of the KSBs.

This independent assessment is graded, and the assessor must be independent of, and separate from, the training provider and employer.

SCOTLAND
Title & Duration: Construction Building Modern Apprenticeship in Floorcovering (48 months)
Content: SVQ & PDA in Floorcovering at SCQF Level 6 as well as Core Skills in Communication, Numeracy, Information & Communication Technology, Problem Solving and Working with others.

Overview:
Modern Apprenticeships offer those aged over 16, paid employment combined with the opportunity to train in floorlaying. For the Floorcovering Modern Apprenticeship, there is a mandatory minimum duration in place for this apprenticeship of four years. The apprentice may not sit the skills test unit of the SVQ before three years and six months from their start date.

Apprentices with over four years’ experience who can demonstrate significant prior site experience, may be permitted to complete in a minimum of two years where their achievement and competence has been recognised by both the employer and provider.

These candidates would need to meet the requirement for a full portfolio of evidence against the SVQ and may not sit the skills test unit before the last six months of their apprenticeship.

WALES
Overview: Apprenticeships in Wales are devolved to the Welsh government.

The Welsh government has developed its apprenticeship system to meet their needs and priorities. Apprenticeship delivery and funding is prioritised based on the needs of the economy and employers. All apprenticeship training in Wales has to be completed by a Welsh training provider, with none of these training providers offering a route into floorlaying at present although this is being developed in conjunction with CFA.  However, irrespective of where the apprentice lives, the funding arrangements and priorities of the UK government apply when a Welsh apprentice is working in England for 50% or more of his/her time.

NORTHERN IRELAND
Title & Duration: Level 2 Apprenticeship Framework – Construction Specialist Sector (Floorcovering) (24 months)
Content: Two Level 2 qualifications, one competency based, and one knowledge based as well as Essential Skills in Communication, Numeracy and Information & Communication Technology.

Overview: Framework ApprenticeshipsNI offer those aged over 16, paid employment combined with the opportunity to train for jobs at Level 2 and Level 3.

An apprenticeship is a job offering a minimum of 21 contracted hours per week with the same employer with a structured period of both on and off the job training leading to a nationally recognised qualification. Apprentices are employed with the employer from day one of their ApprenticeshipsNI programme. Apprenticeships can take between two and four years to complete and are available in a variety of roles.

The Department for the Economy will pay training supplier costs for ApprenticeshipsNI ‘off-the-job’ training and the employer pays the apprentice for the day(s) they attend the training provider as well as the days they are at work.

Take a look at the Contract Flooring Industry Training Guide 2021 for even more information on apprenticeships in the UK including additional information on funding. This is available for free to read and download at www.cfa.org.uk.
shaun@fita.co.uk
07554 015215