by Clair Mooney | 13 Jan, 2022 | Skills
Applications are now open for the £3,000 incentive payment for hiring a new apprentice. Employers need to have recruited new apprentices before 31 January 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.
There is a step-by-step guide for more information. When applying for the incentive payment for hiring a new apprentice, employers should make sure they have:
If the employers’ information is incorrect, this will delay their incentive payments.
If you have a query about the incentive payment, check the help articles in National Apprenticeship Services help portal. If your query is about an application that has already been submitted, read the help article about how you can view your application and its status.
by Clair Mooney | 13 Jan, 2022 | Skills
As announced by the Prime Minister in his 2020 Skills Speech, ESFA are launching a pilot scheme for flexi-job apprenticeships (previously known as portable apprenticeships) beginning in April 2022. Flexi-job apprenticeship put apprentices in the driving seat and enable them to complete their apprenticeship across multiple short employment contracts.
Providers are invited to submit an Expression of Interest to engage in the pilot to test an exciting new model of apprenticeship delivery and support ongoing developments in the apprenticeship programme.
The Expression of Interest and further details about flexi-job apprenticeships can be found on Jaggear, the DfE’s eSourcing platform. The closing date for Expressions of Interest is 28 January 2022.
by Clair Mooney | 17 Dec, 2021 | Skills
A new app, developed by the 38 card schemes displaying the CSCS logo, is set to radically improve the construction industry’s card checking procedures and site safety. The CSCS Smart Check app represents a major step forward as, for the first time, all 2.1 million cards displaying the CSCS logo can be electronically verified using a single app.
The roll out of the app begins in April 2022, providing employers with a quick, easy and secure way of ensuring everyone on site has the right qualifications and training for the job they do. The app will be free to use and available for Apple iOS and Android devices. Visit https://www.cscs.uk.com/about/cscs-smart-check/ to find out more about the CSCS Smart Check app.
What does this mean for employers?
Sites should require everyone working in a construction occupation to hold a card displaying the CSCS logo and they should be checking those cards regularly to ensure they are genuine and in date. However, with 38 schemes offering CSCS logoed cards and many using their own (often incompatible) card checking systems, the process can be complicated. This places an unrealistic expectation on site management teams to know every scheme and every type of card available together with the different verification systems used. Having one app to electronically check all cards at the site gates will make life easier for those responsible. It doesn’t matter what card turns up at the site gates, from asbestos to welding, if it displays a CSCS logo it will be compatible with the CSCS Smart Check app.
Early Adopters: Are you a technology early adopter? CSCS need some help to test the app. If your site would like to take part in a pilot programme then please email the project team at communications@cscs.co.uk.
Next steps: The roll out of the app will result in some changes to the way in which employers check cards at the site gates. Over the coming weeks the 38 card schemes are committed to keeping the industry updated on our progress and everything you need to know about CSCS Smart Check. Regular progress reports will be issued and we are planning several events to keep you and your colleagues updated. Further details on these events will be made available in the new year.
“It must be emphasised this is to check the CSCS card is genuine and in date, FIS strongly encourage members to ensure employees are operating on the card applicable to their status (trainee, apprentice, operative, supervisor, manger) and occupation. When the Building Safety Bill takes hold a green Labourers card for a trades person could lead to that individual being turned away at the site gate. The FIS Approved Training Provider Network have offers and discounts (including some free of charge qualifications) to help employers qualify the workforce and register for the appropriate CSCS card. Remember CITB grants also apply to individuals working for organisations as LOSC which should help employer recoup so of the costs. If you need help give FIS a call 0121 707 0077 or email info@thefis.org”.
by Clair Mooney | 13 Dec, 2021 | Skills
The government’s offer of up to £4,000 for each apprentice a company employs has been extended at least until the end of March 2022.
In addition, CITB is still paying training grants to cover travel and accommodation, as well as training fees, for the apprentices while they are at college if they have to travel and stay away.
Cash incentives for firms were introduced as part of the national Plan for Jobs initiative in July 2020. They are worth up to £3,000 on top of the £1,000 already available if you take on an apprentice aged 16-18, or under 25 if they have an education, health and care plan, or have been in the care of their local authority.
The payment can be spent on anything to support a company’s costs. It does NOT have to be repaid.
The incentives were originally available until September this year, but now the government has extended it so companies can continue to benefit into 2022. Applications for the cash open on 11 January 2022.
A Plan for Jobs progress report says more than 85,000 apprentices have been hired under the incentive payments scheme so far, with 75% of those taken on being under 25.
From 11 January you will be able to apply for the payment of £3,000 for apprentices that start with you any time from 1 October 2021 to 31 January 2022. You have to get the application in before 15 May 2022.
To apply for the payment you need to create an account on the Government’s dedicated Apprenticeships Portal (click here to go to that). Once your account is set up, you can make your claim.
You can read more about the offer on the Construction Leadership Council’s Talentview website here.
by Clair Mooney | 9 Dec, 2021 | Drylining, Skills
CITB has started work on a Traineeship for Drylining occupations and need support from employers and subject matter experts. The next development meeting is scheduled for Wednesday 15 December starting at 13:00 to get involved please email alexandra.lee@citb.co.uk
What’s a Traineeship
A traineeship is a skills development programme that includes a work experience placement. Traineeships help prepare young people aged 16 to 24, or 25 with an education, health and care plan, for employment or an apprenticeship. Traineeships must include at least 70 hours of work experience placement. They can last from 6 weeks up to 1 year, but most last less than 6 months. Employers can offer a work experience placement to a trainee. They will work with a training provider to design the workplace element of the programme. Traineeships are introductory courses to attract individuals, at risk of becoming long term unemployed, into employment the training should be broad and provide as much variety as possible with the work experience placement focused on a specialism.
The training provider will assess the needs of the trainee. Trainees may need pre-employment training before starting their work experience placement. Employers will then work with the training provider to plan and agree:
- the length of the work experience placement
- the days the trainee works
- how the programme will be delivered
Traineeships are flexible. Employers can change the programme as they go to make sure they and the trainee get the most out of it.
Employers must provide:
- a safe, meaningful and high-quality work experience placement
- a minimum of 70 hours of work experience placement over the duration of the traineeship (if the trainee claims benefits, the placement cannot last longer than 240 hours)
- constructive feedback and advice to the trainee
- an interview for an apprenticeship or job in their organisation at the end of the traineeship if one is available
- an exit interview at the end of the traineeship with meaningful written feedback if no job is available
Offering a work experience placement gives employers the chance to:
- get to know and work with a young person to see if they’re right for an apprenticeship or job in their business
- design a programme that suits the needs of the trainee and their business
- develop current employees’ experience in training and mentoring
- recruit new talent for their business
- claim an employer incentive of £1,000 when a work experience placement of over 70 hours has been completed
Employers who make new work experience placement opportunities available may be eligible for an incentive payment of £1,000 per trainee. They can claim this incentive for up to 10 learners per region. Employers decide how to use the money. You can view more guidance on employer incentive payments and how to claim them.
Traineeships are funded by the government. Traineeships are free to the employer, but they may choose to support trainees with expenses such as transport and meals. If you are interested in offering a work experience placement for a traineeship:
- Contact the National Apprenticeship Service to register your interest and to ask for advice and support on traineeships. They can help you set up a traineeship and advertise it on Find a traineeship.
- Partner with a training provider who will help you to design a traineeship that will meet your business needs. They will also advertise the work experience placement for you.
- Agree with the trainee and your training provider exactly what each of you expects from the traineeship.
George Swann FIS Skills and Training Lead says “Traineeships are part of the Governments Plans for Jobs; approximately 60% to 70% of people on construction training course delivered by FE do not enter the construction industry. By providing more variety in the college element, introducing individuals to the wide range of careers available, Dry Lining Fixer Boarder and Finisher, Ceiling and Partitions Fixer, Plasterer solid and fibrous something should hook their interest and the work experience placement will put them in the work environment and show what the occupational specialism is about. It’s worth employers giving this a try as addressing the labour shortages is all about home grow talent and if you find capable individuals, well enough said. I encourage all employers and subject matter experts to get involved with the development work of CITB the more variety finishes, and interiors Traineeships have the greater the exposure of the fantastic opportunities this sector has to offer and more young people it should attract….Bigger net more fish”.
by Clair Mooney | 6 Dec, 2021 | Skills
Businesses have until midday on Friday 17 December to apply for funding through the Kickstart Scheme. The scheme, which is running until March 2022, provides funding to create new jobs for 16 to 24 year olds on Universal Credit who are at risk of long term unemployment.
The Department of Work and Pensions are withdrawing the role of KickStart Gateway Organisations, so FIS will no longer be able to provide the full service, but will be happy to advise FIS members on this and any linked government initiative. Please call Catherine on 07900 083325 . Please call Catherine on 07900 083325 or email catherinebillough@thefis.org or Marie on 07799 903103 or email marieflinter@thefis.org
For a full update on how FIS is attacking the Skills Shortage, click here.
