Apprenticeships
Apprenticeships are work-based training programmes designed around the needs of employers, which lead to national recognised qualifications. Appreticeships are the best way of growing your business and ensuring the succession of skills developed by your business and employees. Funding is available to train apprentices see below for options.
Funding is available to train apprentices.
Training and Employment
As Apprenticeships are work-based training programmes, most of the training is ‘on the job’ – at your premises. The rest can be provided by a Further Education college or Training Provider.
You are also responsible for paying your apprentices’ wages.
Funding
Funding for the training of your apprentices will be claimed by the Training Provider (college) from the National Appreticeship Service on behalf of the employer for the training they provide. The size of this contribution varies depending on your sector and the age of the candidate.
If the apprentice is aged 16–18 years old, you will receive 100 per cent of the cost of the training; if they are 19-24 years old, you will receive up to 50 per cent; if they are 25 years old or over you may only get a contribution depending on the sector and area in which you operate.
The NAS have also developed a £1500 grant to support businesses taking on an apprentices. To see if you qualify for the AGE Grant visit apprenticeships.org.uk
The Shipwright Apprentice Scheme is helping small to medium enterprises in the marine industry employ and train apprentices. Through their Ark Appeal the Worshipful Company of Shipwrights have secured funding from the Lloyds Register Foundation to help smaller businesses in the marine sector by underwriting the first year wages of a four year apprenticeship. Along with the funding the 
Worshipful Company of Shipwrights will be providing assistance and guidance to companies new to hiring apprentices in order to safeguard the valuable and important skills in the sector. The BMF are working in partnership with the Worshipful Company of Shipwrights on the scheme and have the scheme administrator based on site at BMF HQ. For more information on the scheme and to apply please contact Paul Harris on 01784 223617 or sas@shipwrights.co.uk.
National Minimum Wage
The apprentice minimum wage is currently £2.68 per hour and applies to time working, plus time spent training that is part of the Apprenticeship. Employers are free to pay above the minimum wage. This rate is for apprentices aged 16 to 18 and those aged 19 or over who are in their first year. All other apprentices are entitled to the National Minimum Wage for their age. These rates are reviewed every October.
Types of Apprenticeships
Depending on your business, there are a number of different training programmes available to train apprentices, examples of general business apprenticeships include:
- Accounting
- Marketing
- Customer service
- IT
- Business Administration
Marine Specific Apprenticeships
There are a number of apprenticeships that have been developed specifically for the marine industry:
- Boatbuilding
- Engineering
- Watersports Instructor
- Maritime
Further information regarding marine specific apprenticeships can be found here
Case Studies of Apprenticeships in the Marine Industry Apprenticeship case studies
Next Steps
If you would like to discuss taking on an apprentices and would like further information and advice: