If you hired a new apprentices between 1 October 2021 and 31 January 2022 and these apprentices have an apprenticeship start date between 1 October 2021 and 31 March 2022, employers could be eligible for the £3,000 incentive payment for hiring a new apprentice.  Applications for the incentive payment close on 15 May 2022.

How employers apply
Employers should check their apprentices’ eligibility – they must have:

• an employment start date from 1 October 2021 to 31 January 2022
• an apprenticeship start date from 1 October 2021 to 31 March 2022

To receive the payment, employers must submit an application for each eligible apprentice using their apprenticeship service account.

Use the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) step-by-step guide for more information.

When applying for the incentive payment for hiring a new apprentice, employers should make sure they have:

• added the correct PAYE schemes, that they use to pay their apprentices, to their apprenticeship service account, in line with the service terms and conditions
• only applied for eligible apprentices and they have documentation which can validate their claim, as listed in the apprenticeship funding rules
• checked their training provider has the correct National Insurance Number for each of their apprentices, and that they have included this in their funding submissions

If any information is incorrect, this will delay payments.  If you have a query about the incentive payment, check the help articles in the ESFA help portal

In comparison the total numbers for the same period in the Finishes and Interiors Sector are:

Number of registered apprentices:

• England:
  • Interior Systems Installer ST0388 = 90 (average annual starts 150)
  • Plasterer ST0096 = 470 (average annual starts 629)
• England old framework (VQ outcome) = 62 Interior System, 240 Plastering
• Scotland = 88 Interior Systems, 70 Plastering
• Wales = 9 Interior Systems, 51 Plastering
• Completed VQ’s in Interior Systems = 1720
• Completed VQ’s in Plastering = 1380

A few factors will have contributed to the thriving numbers, including the Apprenticeship Employer Grant of £5,000, which was launched by the Scottish Government and SDS back in 2020-21.  Additionally, those employers were supported by approximately £1.25m in CITB attendance grants.  To date, there are 4,500 apprentices in Scotland with Levy-registered employers, who benefit from just over £90m in direct and indirect grants from CITB and SDS.

With much of the industry relying on word-of-mouth methods to recruit, it can be difficult to reach a more diverse range of applicants.  Looking ahead, FIS is keen to support employers in this space, helping them create a more inclusive workplace, where the sector can benefit from the wide range of skills and traits.

George Swann FIS Skills and Training Lead says.  “Wherever you are located in the UK, if your organisation is looking to take on apprentices now is the time to get vacancies up on platforms like Construction TalentView: Employer Registration and National Apprenticeship Services: Creating an Apprenticeship Advert  to see existing vacancies go to: Find Apprenticeships Dryliners .

FIS is happy to support with any skills and training questions. Contact George on 07553 874838.

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FIS is excited to announce the return of Regional Workshops, with the first event since before the pandemic scheduled for Central London on the 22nd March.  This will be followed by a series of events in Bristol, Leicester, Dartford, Manchester and Glasgow running through to May.

With labour shortages and recruitment a key challenge within the sector, the core theme for these events is a collective response to labour shortages and attracting the next generation of workers.  Time will be allowed for open discussion and networking.    

The core aim is to look individually and collectively at how we can better target recruitment through schools, colleges and local networks, develop local training networks and access all available funding to build a sustainable workforce.  Focus will be on understanding local need and opportunities, developing a network of ambassadors and looking particularly at apprenticeships, but also the wider vocational qualification landscape and competency in the existing workforce.

The FIS team will be supported by representatives of CITB and local speakers aiming to give members fresh ideas, a clear plan of action and understanding of the support available to attack their skills gap.  This will include ideas and resources to support approaches to local schools, how to work more effectively with the Department of Work and Pensions, case studies and a list of initiatives and funding that can support your recruitment efforts and induction and development of workers.  Details of the support available from CITB for recruiting and qualifying people will also be given and there will be plenty of time for questions.

Six events have been scheduled to be held across the UK.  These are breakfast events 07:30 until 09:45 so employers can attend, get a bit of breakfast discuss recruitment and qualification needs and identify how FIS can help prior to starting the working day.

Locations
London – 22 March
Leicester – 30 March
Bristol – 5 April
Dartford – 26 April
Manchester – 10 May
Glasgow – 11 May

Please look out for your individual email invitation from FIS or reserve your place via the FIS Events page.  If you would like more information contact Skills and Training Lead George Swann on 07553 874838 or email georgeswann@thefis.org

Apprentices are a vital investment in the future. A well managed programme can help enhance productivity, improve business performance and develop a committed and competent workforce.

To help support businesses in taking on an apprentice, FIS has created a useful guide detailing the support and funding available to help you to make your apprenticeship programme a success. It provides employers with the information needed to recruit, register and secure funding for apprentices.  The guide includes information on the apprenticeship funding pledge and receive system and details on the CITB Grant ‘Travel to Train’.

The guide also includes access to the CITB Apprenticeship Recruitment Toolkit, which provides further guidance for recruiting and supporting apprenticeships.  The toolkit details the various routes to hiring an apprentice across England, Scotland, and Wales.  There is also, a choice of four other sections to explore, including support available from CITB.  This includes assisting employers with completing paperwork, or financial support, with a breakdown on how to claim funding and CITB grants for apprentices.  

If you would like to talk through the options for employing apprentices give us a call, 0121 707 0077 or email info@thefis.org we will be happy to help.