Apprenticeships for employers 

Employers in the sports and physical activity sector can develop talent and cut recruitment costs by hiring apprentices. These apprenticeships provide valuable work experience, shaping individuals into ideal employees. Apprentices receive on-the-job training, reducing financial overheads and learning from experienced staff. This arrangement allows them to develop skills and contribute to the organisation's revenue, benefiting both parties.

Apprenticeships engage children in physical activity, support coaches, extend services, create jobs, boost revenue, train a loyal workforce, and enhance industry reputation. They promote health, community growth, and professional development.

PE and Sports Apprentices, hired directly or via coaching providers, offer numerous benefits to schools. They help achieve physical education objectives, support full-time teachers, and create extra extracurricular opportunities. These apprentices engage with underrepresented groups, contribute to pastoral work and community projects, and boost parental involvement. The outcome is a healthier school environment with improved morale, activity levels, and diversity.

Our apprenticeship standards provide sports sector employers with the adaptability to tailor apprentice roles to their unique needs.

We offer comprehensive, customisable training that meets core apprenticeship standards and incorporates specialised training to boost competency development within the apprenticeship framework. 

In order for an apprenticeship to be meaningful and effective, it is crucial that a genuine job opportunity exists, accompanied by a sufficiently long-term employment contract that allows the apprentice to successfully complete their apprenticeship program. It is the responsibility of employers to provide appropriate wages for apprentices, ensuring fair compensation for their work.

Employers partnering with Aspire Training Solutions have key responsibilities in the apprenticeship program. They collaborate with Aspire to select the appropriate apprentice standard, advertise and recruit apprentices, and negotiate the training plan. Employers are committed to inclusive recruitment, compliance with employment legislation and funding rules, and providing ongoing mentoring and fair treatment to apprentices. They create a supportive environment and prioritise the health, safety, and welfare of their employees, including apprentices.

Apprenticeships, with no maximum age limit, are available to anyone seeking professional growth, irrespective of age or experience. They cater to both young individuals entering the workforce and seasoned professionals seeking knowledge expansion or career changes, leading to a more diverse apprenticeship landscape.

We provide different levels of assistance to employers seeking the perfect apprentice. Our services range from eligibility and CV checks for confident recruiters, to template adverts and CV sifting support for those requiring more guidance. Our paid recruitment service offers shortlisting through digital or face-to-face interviews, boosting engagement and motivation for the program.

Apprenticeships cater to both existing staff and new hires as professional development tools. Our Level 4 School Sports Coach apprenticeship standard, for instance, enables experienced coaches to further their growth and progress in the industry. Employers can designate weekly training hours for staff, culminating in the final endpoint assessment phase.

Levy-paying organisations can utilise their funds to cover apprenticeship training costs, with the government covering any surplus. Non-levy organisations contribute 5% towards training costs, while the government funds the rest. Employers can create digital apprenticeship accounts to reserve funds, and non-levy organisations may access unused funds from larger organisations through levy sharing, potentially fully funding their training.

Organisations with an annual payroll of £3 million or more contribute to the apprenticeship levy. Each month, 0.5% of the payroll is added as an apprenticeship voucher in their digital account, with a two-year validity. The government contributes an additional 10% monthly to these funds. Organisations utilise these vouchers for apprenticeship training, either by recruiting new apprentices or developing existing staff.

Currently, the national minimum wage for apprentices is £5.28 per hour. The minimum apprenticeship wage applies to those aged 16-18 and those aged 19 or over who are in their first year. 

The government offers a £1,000 grant for hiring apprentices aged 16-18, paid £500 at three months and £500 at twelve months to the training provider and passed fully to the employer. This recognises that younger apprentices may need more mentoring and support due to less experience and confidence in their roles. The grant incentivises employers to provide additional support for these apprentices.

Apprentices are required to allocate 6 hours per week to developing occupational competency skills. Tutor sessions typically occur in the mornings for convenience. The goal is to enable apprentices to acquire the necessary knowledge, skills, and behaviours to achieve occupational competency by the end of their program.