Congleton companies can upskill their staff through funded training in 2024

Please note: This page contains some out of date information regarding available incentives. Please click on the link below to view the latest updated information regarding increased apprenticeship incentives.

Link: Goverment apprenticeship incentives
Congleton

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To raise a vacancy call our team on 01254 300779 or click the button below to fill out a quick enquiry form. Our team will then arrange to come out and guide you through the process.

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NLTG provide training in the Congleton area for your current employees

Attention Congleton-based businesses! Let NLTG be your go-to in 2024 for enhancing the skills and capabilities of your workforce.  Of course every industry is in constant motion and it is clear that customer preferences, industry standards, procedures and legal requirements may shift over time. Therefore, it is crucial to ensure that all employees possess the appropriate knowledge, skills and qualifications to keep pace with these changes.

Our diverse selection of work-based training programmes^ can equip your current employees with the skills and knowledge that they need. Don’t assume the cost of this might be prohibitive – Funding is available! For companies of small to medium size, training costs can be covered up to 95%^ and for those with fewer than 50 employees, training for workers aged 16-18 is entirely funded.^

At NLTG, we are committed to offering exceptional training opportunities for your existing staff. Our extensive selection of courses caters to various fields and proficiencies, ensuring suitable options for everyone. 

Why is it so beneficial to upskill my staff?

Investing in upskilling for your existing staff has numerous advantages. Not only does it improve their abilities, but it also empowers them to make significant contributions towards the growth of your company. By upskilling your employees, your organisation can see a boost in productivity. By gaining new knowledge and skills, employees are able to work more efficiently and complete tasks quickly and accurately. Ultimately, this leads to cost savings for the company and an overall increase in efficiency.

Encouraging employee growth and job satisfaction can also boost employee engagement. When individuals believe their employer values their development, they become more driven to excel in their positions. Offering learning and advancement opportunities creates a supportive workplace where employees feel valued and committed. This, in turn, results in higher levels of customer satisfaction as upskilled employees are able to provide exceptional service, leading to increased loyalty and positive referrals.

Opting to invest in the training of current employees is a wise choice for companies looking to maximise resources. Rather than allocating funds towards external recruitment or onboarding costs, organisations can tap into the existing potential within their workforce. By offering avenues for continuous development, employers demonstrate their commitment to supporting career advancement for their staff. This ultimately results in increased employee retention rates as individuals are more inclined to stay with a company that values their professional growth and offers ample opportunities for it.

Through prioritising training initiatives in your company’s strategy, you encourage an atmosphere that promotes growth for both individual professionals and overall business success.

So how can I upskill my staff?

At NLTG, we provide a variety of work-based training programmes^ designed to enhance your employees’ skills. Our aim is to equip them with the knowledge and abilities needed to boost productivity and contribute to the success of your company. These programmes allow your employees to apply what they learn directly in their roles, eliminating the need for costly transportation or external trainers. With a range of upskilling course options available, you can simply select the one that best suits your business and team’s needs. Additionally, our programmes cater to employees of all ages.

Don’t delay, reap the rewards! Utilise all available funding options and explore our upskilling courses. These include a variety of paths for your employees to advance their existing skills, acquire new ones, or learn how to effectively apply them for the present and future success of your business.

Through NLTG, Congleton businesses can invest in funded workplace training. This presents a fantastic chance to improve the skills of your employees without incurring excessive expenses. Don’t hesitate any longer – begin advancing your staff’s abilities now and reap the numerous rewards that come with it!

The details:

  • There’s no age limit – employees of any age are eligible for funded workplace training^.
  • If you decide to train^ a 16-18 year old, you’ll also receive a £1,000* Government incentive.  Monies can be spent on costs associated with supporting learners in the workplace, such as on uniforms, travel or their salary.

Are you an SME?

Did you know that small to medium-sized employers (SMEs) can access a huge 95% saving on the cost of workplace training^? This means the cost of training could be as little as £200# for a programme normally costing £4,000! If your company also employs fewer than 50 staff, training costs^ for 16-18 year olds is 100% Government funded – ie FREE.

Is the 5% funding cost still a concern? Don’t worry if so, as many large companies have donated funds to support smaller businesses with workplace training costs^.  Funding networks operate across the country and include the Lancashire Levy Transfer Network and Greater Manchester Levy Matchmaking Service.

Contact us today for more information (eet@nltg.co.uk; 01254 300779).

^Via Apprenticeship funding.
#Plus VAT which may be recoverable if you are a VAT registered company.
*Payable in two installments.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

How will employing an apprentice benefit my company?

Employing an Apprentice can bring numerous benefits to your business including:

• increased productivity.

• increased employee satisfaction.

• increased loyalty and commitment.

• reduced staff turnover.

  • Apprentices will be trained to understand how your industry works, helping to ensure your future workforce is exactly the way you want it to be. They can generate new ideas and creativity to expand your business and are a cost-effective way of achieving a return on investment.

What training do I need to provide?

You will need to train a new apprentice in their job role and provide them with a mentor, as you would with any new member of staff.  The apprentice however, may need a little more support, especially if they have not worked in your industry before or are learning a new role.

We will visit your premises every 4 to 6 weeks to help with the training and guide your apprentice through their programme.

How much does it cost to employ an apprentice?

Apprentices are employees of your company and you are responsible for paying your apprentice’s wage.  You must pay at least the Apprenticeship minimum wage and can find out more by clicking here.  The Apprenticeship minimum wage relates to apprentices aged 16 to 18, or aged 19 and above in the first year of their Apprenticeship.

For apprentices aged under 25, you may not need to pay National Insurance contributions during their training.  Find out more by clicking here.

What days and hours do apprentices work?

Apprentices are employees of your company, with the same rights and responsibilities as any other employee.

As such, you will decide the days and hours you would like apprentices to work (which must be at least 30 hours per week), their rest breaks and paid holiday entitlement etc, in line with Employment Law and the Working Hours Directive.

If you employ an apprentice aged under 18, the law states that they must not work more than 8 hours per day or 40 hours per week.  They are also entitled to paid holidays and rest breaks of at least 30 minutes if their shift lasts more than four and half hours.

How are disciplinary procedures handled?

They are handled like any other employee’s, but NLTG are on hand to provide help and support if you feel it is necessary.

What funding and grants are available?

If your apprentice is aged:

• 16-18; or

• 19-24 and is a care leaver or has a Local Authority Education, Health & Care Plan

… you’ll receive a £1,000 incentive payment for each apprentice.

Payments will be made in two equal instalments; the first once the apprentice has been on programme for 3 months and the second after the apprentice has been on programme for 12 months.  (It may take up to 9 weeks after the incentive payment dates for funds to be processed and transferred).

Grants may also be available but the availability and requirements for these change on a regular basis so you are best speaking to us for up-to-date information.

Depending upon the size of your company, different funding arrangements are in place for Apprenticeship training.  For full details, please click here.

What is the recruitment process / how do I raise a vacancy?

Once you’re happy you know all you need to know about recruiting an Apprentice, you’ll need to raise an Apprenticeship vacancy with us. You can do this by contacting our Employer Engagement Team (email: eet@nltg.co.uk , tel: 01254 300779) or by clicking the ‘Have a Question’ tab to the right and completing the online enquiry form. Once we have all the vacancy details we’ll publish it on our website and other partner’s websites to attract applicants.

We also offer a free 16-18 year old Recruitment Service.  We’ll look at all our current 16-18 year old applicants seeking the type of job you have advertised and check if they meet your requirements. We’ll give you a call with any applicant details and see if you would like to interview them.  If so, we’ll contact the applicant on your behalf to advise them of interview details. We’ll give you a call after interview to gain feedback and see if you would like to employ the applicant. If yes, we’ll inform the applicant of their start date, if not we’ll inform the applicant they were unsuccessful and repeat the process until you find the right candidate.

Don’t forget if you have any exiting employees, including graduates, who you wish to train through an Apprenticeship, simply contact our Employer Engagement Team.

What is required of me?

If you employ an apprentice or choose to up-skill your workforce via Apprenticeships, there are some things you need to have in place. NLTG will support you through this process, with advice on the specific requirements, such as Health & Safety.

To find out more, please download our Employer Handbook.

As an employer you will need to ensure your apprentices:

• are employed in a real job that gives them the opportunity to gain the knowledge and skills they need to pass their assessment.
• are paid at least the minimum wage and have a contract of employment.
• work towards an approved Apprenticeship Standard.  Their training must last at least 12 months.
• are paid for time spent training or studying for their Apprenticeship, whether at work or at a training provider.
• have the same conditions as other employees working at similar grades or in similar roles. This includes: paid holidays; sick pay; any benefits you offer such as childcare voucher schemes; any support you offer such as coaching or mentoring.

Speak to an advisor today

for help and guidance about what options are available to you

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01254 395355

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