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Considerations when sourcing training Finally, when you’re looking for training provision ask these questions: 1. Is the training linked to a formal qualification from the office of Qualifications, Examinations Regulators (Ofqual, England and Northern Ireland) and/or Qualifications inWales (QIW) and/or the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) register? 2. Is there any funding available to support the training? 3. Does this training require a renewal, if so, what is the criteria? 4. Is there any follow up support? 5. When will we receive the certificate(s)? 6. Is there an appeals procedure, if so, what are the details? Skills FIND OUTMORE FIS has a network of approved training providers who have signed the FIS Code of Conduct and are audited to ensure the service provided matches FIS members’ expectations. If you need any information, advice or guidance on training, qualifications, apprentices, work placements or eligibility for funding please contact us at: info@thefis.org or: 0121 707 0077 Also visit: www.gov.uk/government/topical-events/a-plan-for-jobs-2020 i www.thefis.org 31 employers meet the needs of some groups of apprentices in the workplace including those: • aged 16 to 18 years old; and • those under 25 with an education, health and care plan or who have been in the care of their local authority. Register your interest at the National Apprenticeship Service website or call: 08000 150 600 . For organisations Scotland visit the Planit website. Northern Ireland organisations should visit the ni direct website. Those in Wales should visit the Careers Wales website. In some cases, CITB grants of up to £11,000 may also be available for employers who employ apprentices. Succession planning Leaving aside the financial incentives, succession planning is critical to the success of your organisation. Researchers now recognise that organisations that invest in apprenticeship training generally reap good returns. Generally, the first year of apprenticeships can involve significant costs, but subsequently, the apprentice’s contributions exceed his/her wages and supervisory costs. Most participating organisations view apprenticeships as offering certainty that all workers have the same high level of expertise and ensuring an adequate supply of well- trained workers to cover sudden increases in demand and to fill leadership positions. Traineeships and work placements Offering a trainee a short work placement may help bring new talent into our sector and your business may benefit from government funding of £1,000 per learner. You must commit to providing a minimum of 70 hours of work experience, but no more than 240 hours for benefit claimants over the duration of the traineeship (maximum of one year) and as agreed with the traineeship provider. For full details please visitthe Government Traineeship information for employers website. After the work placement ends, employers should offer the trainee an interview for an apprenticeship place. If the trainee is successful, the employer will then be eligible for further funding via the apprenticeship system. Expanding your team with a Kickstart employee The Government’s Kickstart Scheme was launched in September to help unemployed young people aged 16-24 get a foothold on the career ladder by funding six-month job placements. Under the scheme, funding will cover 100% of the relevant National MinimumWage for 25 hours a week, plus associated employer National Insurance contributions and employer minimum automatic enrolment contributions. One of the elements of this scheme is that applications must be for a minimum of 30 job placements. FIS recognise this is likely to be too many for many of our members so we are delighted to announce that we have been approved to act as an intermediary between members and the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) so we can amalgamate all requests and submit a consolidated bid on your behalf and support you and your organisation all the way through the Kickstart process. There is no obligation to employ individuals after the work placement has concluded. Even if you don’t think you’ll be in a position to employ anyone for the next six months, you can still give someone an opportunity to train and develop, at no cost to yourself or your organisation and perhaps help them secure a career in construction. Call Paul Glover, FIS Skills and Training Coordinator, on: 07975 759378 . Useful links HM Government apprenticeships website: www.engage.apprenticeships . gov.uk/Incentives HM Government recruit an apprentice website: www.gov.uk/recruit- apprentice HM Government how to register and use the apprenticeship service website: www.accounts.manage- apprenticeships.service.gov.uk/ service/index National Apprenticeship Service website: www.gov.uk/apply- apprenticeship Planit website: www.planitplus.net/ Apprenticeships/ ni direct wesite: www.nidirect.gov.uk/ campaigns/apprenticeships Careers Wales website: www.ams. careerswales.com/ HM Government Traineeship information for employers website: www.gov.uk/guidance/traineeship- information-for-employers