North West VCS Employment Learning & Skills Network 21 st June 2012

1. North West VCS Employment Learning & Skills Network 21st June 2012 James Williams National Apprenticeship Service Employer Account Manager National Apprenticeship Service

2. Sector Overview The voluntary sector comprises many different types of organisations, of varying sizes including charities, social enterprises, not-for-profit organisations, voluntary & community organisations, and various other business In 2010 the voluntary sector employed around 790,000 people in the UK and consisted of more than 171,000 organisations: A common feature is that they are all working towards making a difference to society Majority of organisations in the sector are small: over 50% of them are classed as ‘micro’ organisations (i.e. employ less than 10 staff) There is a huge variety of paid employment available in voluntary sector organisations; just like other organisations in the private and public sectors they also need skilled individuals to run and manage the work that they do: Apprenticeships can help!! National Apprenticeship Service

3. Background & Challenges National Apprenticeship Service National Apprenticeship Service • The majority of young people succeed in education and make a positive transition to the world of work • Last year over 275,000 16 to 24 year olds started an Apprenticeship (19.30% higher than in 2009/10) • In 2010/11 more employers than ever before got involved in Apprenticeships • However there are still 1.16 million 16 to 24 year olds not in education, employment or training (NEET)

4. Recent Progress The overall size of the programme continues strong growth But 16-18 remains a challenge All apprentices now have an employer1 and receive a wage Employer and learner satisfaction is improving2 Online Apprenticeship Vacancies makes application and recruitment easy Access to Apprenticeships – New Pathway Higher Apprenticeships: A development fund launched to generate 10,000 additional places by 2015 Introduction of the 12 month minimum duration for Apprenticeships 1 Except for agreed alternatives – see 2011/12 Apprenticeship Funding Requirements; 2According to BIS Employer Investment in Apprenticeships and Workplace Learning Research, 5th study May 2012 National Apprenticeship Service

5. What does the Voluntary Sector say about Apprenticeships? In 2010 ‘Skills–Third Sector’ asked charities, social enterprises, not-for-profit organisations and voluntary & community organisations whether they would value Apprenticeships, and whether they felt there was any demand Some Apprenticeships are already offered in voluntary organisations, such as administration and management for example, but prior to 2011 there was nothing tailored specifically for voluntary sector roles The message to come back from the sector was that there is demand for Apprenticeships in three specific areas: Campaigning Fundraising Volunteer Management National Apprenticeship Service

6. Why does the sector value Apprenticeships? Apprenticeships offer a new way of getting into the voluntary sector: They also have the potential to encourage entrants from groups that would not usually consider a career in the sector; particularly as a campaigner, fundraiser, or volunteer manager Introducing Apprenticeships is a way of increasing the diversity of the voluntary sector workforce: Approximately 38% of people working in the sector been to University but a degree isn’t always necessary to do many of the jobs available There are lots of under-represented groups amongst those people who work in voluntary sector organisations; such as ethnic minorities and people with disabilities Women currently account for the majority of the voluntary sector workforce National Apprenticeship Service

7. Apprenticeships deliver! Apprenticeships deliver real business benefits by: Increasing productivity and efficiency Developing a skilled and qualified workforce Reducing training and recruitment costs Improving customer service and increasing your sales Helping your business through the tough economic climate Reducing absenteeism and sickness by increasing loyalty and motivation National Apprenticeship Service

8. So what’s the deal? ApprenticeshipFunding 100 per cent of the training costs for 16-18 year olds Up to 50 per cent of the training costs aged 19 or over Up to 40 per cent of the training costs aged 25 and over Employer responsibilities As their employer you pay their weekly wage, holiday, maternity and sick pay and issue a normal employee Contract of Employment Choice of programmes and levels More than 250 Apprenticeship frameworks, covering 1,200 job roles Three Levels: Intermediate, Advanced and Higher Level Apprenticeships Three New Apprenticeship frameworks developed specifically for the sector; Volunteer Management; Fund Raising; Campaigning National Apprenticeship Service

9. What is an Apprenticeship? Employee Rights and Responsibilities (ERR) Personal Learning and Thinking Skills (PLTS) On-the-job training with formal recognition of skills and knowledge developed through a ‘Framework’ of qualifications National Apprenticeship Service

10. Advanced Apprenticeship in Campaigning The Apprenticeship contains a new qualification: The Level 3 Diploma in Campaigning introduces apprentices to the campaigning role and will teach them how campaigning organisations work, how to identify appropriate campaigns, and how to choose appropriate campaigning methods Helps the apprentice develop skills in qualitative and quantitative research methods, preparing work plans, building relationships and effective communications. Apprentices will also learn monitoring techniques and how to plan and conduct an evaluation Apprentices will learn skills such as negotiating and influencing, project management and budgeting. The qualification also teaches apprentices about the key concepts of working in the voluntary sector including how to work in partnership with other organisations, governance of voluntary sector organisations, ethics and sustainability National Apprenticeship Service

11. Advanced Apprenticeship in Fundraising The Fundraising Apprenticeship contains a new qualification: The Level 3 Diploma in Fundraising Practice introduces apprentices to the fundraising role and provides the opportunity to develop skills in other related roles including Campaigning and Volunteer Management Apprentices will learn how to develop a fundraising plan, including agreeing targets, researching possible donors and identifying sources for networking. The qualification also builds skills in communication, and developing support Apprentices learn about the ethics and culture of voluntary sector organisations including how to identify trends in support, and why people support fundraising organisations Apprentices will also develop skills in at least two specific forms of fundraising from developing a plan, consulting with others on its development, and managing and implementation of that plan National Apprenticeship Service

12. Advanced Apprenticeship in Volunteer Management The framework contains a new qualification that introduces apprentices to the management role : The Level 3 Diploma in Volunteer Management Apprentices will develop skills such as promotion and communication, negotiating, influencing, project management and budgeting. They also learn how to encourage and develop volunteers; including evaluating their achievements and providing feedback The qualification also teaches apprentices about the key concepts of working in the voluntary sector including how to work in partnership with other organisations, governance of voluntary sector organisations, ethics and sustainability National Apprenticeship Service

13. AGE 16 to 24 – Employer UpdateOverview National Apprenticeship Service National Apprenticeship Service • In November 2011 the Government announced the Youth Contract - a £1 billion package of support to encourage small & medium sized businesses to employ young people • The National Apprenticeship Service will provide up to 40,000 Apprenticeship grants (AGE 16 to 24)of £1,500 to organisations employing less than 250 employeesrecruiting their first 16 to 24 year old apprentices • Our priority is to use the new grant to support those employersNEW to Apprenticeships

14. AGE 16 to 24 – Employer UpdateEligibility National Apprenticeship Service National Apprenticeship Service • The employer must recruit a 16 to 24 year old who isliving in England and not in full-time education • Our aim is to support employers NEW to Apprenticeship delivery to offer NEW jobs in support of young people (not eligible if the employer has started an apprentice since April 2009) • NAS will support up to 3 eligible apprentices per NEW employer • Existing employees starting an Apprenticeship programme will NOT be supported

15. AGE 16 to 24 – Employer UpdateEligibility and Support National Apprenticeship Service National Apprenticeship Service You will be asked by your college or training provider to sign an agreement which will include: • Confirmation of the number of apprentices you will be taking on as a result of the grant (max of 3) • Confirmation you wouldn’t have taken the apprentice on without this additional grant • A commitment to employ the apprentice for a minimum of 12 months or the time it takes to complete the Apprenticeship framework, whichever is the greater. • Agreement to pay the Apprenticeship National Minimum Wage of £2.60 per hour – although most apprentices receive more than this • Confirmation that you have not taken on an apprentice in the previous three years

16. AGE 16 to 24 – Employer UpdateFunding National Apprenticeship Service National Apprenticeship Service • AGE 16 to 24 is available NOW! • Eligible employers employing a new apprentice from 1 February 2012 can apply for the grant, with funding available until March 2013 • The £1,500 grant is payable in two instalments of £750 • the first on completion of week 8 ; and • the second on completion of month12 • The grant is in addition to the training costs and is exempt from VAT

17. Further Information… Sector specific guidance is also available from the Skills Third Sector website: http://www.skills-thirdsector.org.uk/qualifications_learning/apprenticeships National Apprenticeship Service

18. Get started with an Apprenticeship National Apprenticeship Service