Warrington companies can upskill their staff through funded training in 2023

Raise a Vacancy

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.

Raise a vacancy

NLTG provide training in the Warrington area for your current employees

Providing workplace training presents Warrington companies a valuable chance to cultivate current talent, tackle skill gaps, and boost the longevity of vital employees, all of which can greatly enhance productivity. Other advantages include a driven, enthusiastic, and proficient staff, among various others.

As we all know, in business things are constantly in motion. Regardless of your field, various factors such as consumer habits, industry standards, and legal obligations will inevitably shift. Therefore, it is crucial to ensure that your employees can adapt and stay updated with these developments by acquiring new knowledge, skills, and certifications. While this may seem promising, the question remains: what is the cost for a company to achieve all of this?

It’s likely that the training costs for small to medium-sized companies are much lower than expected. In fact, up to 95% of these costs can be covered^. And for businesses with under 50 employees, the training is entirely covered^ for any staff members aged 16-18. Unfortunately, many companies are not aware of these funding options that could help them improve their current workforce. However, there are numerous benefits to investing in upskilling employees that should not be overlooked. Let’s explore some of these advantages.

Why is it so beneficial to upskill my staff?

There are numerous advantages for a company to have an upskilled and qualified workforce. One of the most immediate benefits is the introduction of new skill sets and professional qualities, which would otherwise require additional hiring expenses.

Aside from the obvious advantage, there are numerous other benefits that employees can gain from receiving additional training. These opportunities not only aid the success of the employer, but also provide great value to the individual workers. Offering ongoing retraining opportunities is a fantastic way to foster loyalty, motivation, and ambition among staff. As we are all well aware, a happy and motivated workforce leads to greater productivity, thanks in part to their newfound confidence, improved morale, and increased drive.

Is your company in need of hiring a new skilled position? For a while now, the immediate response to this has been recruitment, which can be costly. By investing in upskilling training for your existing employees, you are expanding your talent pool – meaning you may not even have to recruit externally. Additionally, providing training opportunities can often lead to a decrease in staff turnover. Many employees express that feeling stagnant in their career and lacking chances for growth and development is a major reason for seeking new employment. Give your employees the chance to access funded training and see the positive impact it has on your company!

Not only will your current staff bring benefits to your company, but also as a forward-thinking organisation that places great importance on training and advancement, you can attract top talents who are eager to carve their own career paths. It’s a win-win situation, requiring only minimal investment from you.

So how can I upskill my staff?

At NLTG, we provide various work-based training programs^ designed to equip your team with the necessary skills. These programs allow them to enhance their productivity and performance within your company, as they apply their new abilities in their current roles. You won’t have to worry about your staff taking time off work or bearing travel expenses, nor do you need to hire external trainers. All you have to do is select the appropriate upskilling program that fits the requirements of your business and employees!

Explore our diverse range of upskilling opportunities that cater to employees of all ages. Our programmes offer various pathways for your personnel to enhance their existing skills, learn new ones, and optimise their application in order to drive the success of your company both now and in the long run. Don’t hesitate any longer! Utilise the generously available funding options and discover our latest upskilling courses now!

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 instalments.

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.