Apprenticeship Programmes for Employers

Making Skills everyone’s business!

Apprenticeships are an amazing continual personal development tool for your current employees as well as being a recruitment tool for the future.

From left: Caroline Cooksley (Development Director), Jonathan Davies (Leading ACT’s 2012 campaign) and Andrew Cooksley (Managing Director).  

Thousands of businesses across Wales who have weathered the storms of the recession are rebuilding for the future, the skills of apprentices are needed now more than ever.

What is an Apprenticeship?
World class training development that leads to nationally recognised qualifications developed by the industry and is the beginning of a lifelong learning journey.

How much is it going to cost me or my business?
Apprenticeships are fully funded for your current employees; there is no financial cost to you or your business.  When you are taking on an apprentice ACT will sign post you to funding that will contribute £50 per week for the first year. Your only outlay is £50 per week for the whole of the first year; this is in-line with the national minimum wage. As skills develop, many employers tend to increase wages, on average apprentices earn £170 net pay per week.

Not sure if apprenticeships will work for your business?
ACT provides a range of services that you can trial in your business through our Traineeship and Steps to Employment programmes. Why not pass on your skills and knowledge to future apprentices? Visit our training academies and give a talk or invite a learner into your business for a short trial; you will play a vital role in helping young talent become vocationally focused.

Take the opportunity to transform an individual’s life by giving them a longer term placement in your business. The learner becomes an effective part of your current team, your skills and knowledge will be transferred throughout the process enabling them to be effective in the Welsh labour market.

Learner recruitment?
All of our services interlink, many employers invite a learner into their business for a trial and extend the opportunity to a longer term funded placement. During their time with the business, learners are supported by ACT’s work placement advisors who are also on hand to offer advice and guidance to employers. Our three-way review process enables you to contribute to the learner’s placement plan, ensuring that they are learning the skills and competencies needed in your business. Should a paid opportunity arise during the funded placement, learners are fully trained and inducted into your business and are ready to accept a paid opportunity. 

Let’s do it... how can I make skills my business?

Getting involved is easy, click on the link below and enter your details.

Employer Enquiry form.

Alternatively, please feel free to call Sara Timothy on 07715 816949 or email saratimothy@acttraining.org.uk for more information.

Improve basic skills by taking the Employer Pledge

The Employer Pledge is your commitment to supporting your employees to build their basic skills. Your commitment to the pledge is fully funded by the Welsh Government and is proven to be an excellent pre-apprenticeship programme.

The pledge is as flexible as you need it to be, your learning plan is designed to meet the individual needs of your business. You may not be aware of any basic skills issues in your business. You may think that all your staff have the relevant qualifications and training and therefore this doesn’t apply to you. However, basic skills is everyone’s business, committing to the pledge is a commitment to supporting the development of staff if the need is there.

Your pledge and learning plan is funded for up to two years. ACT can support your staff at any time during the 2 year pledge.  As part of your employee’s lifelong leaning journey, your Pledge can be renewed continually, if you feel the need is there.

Am I eligible and how do I get involved?

As long as you are employed within a business based in Wales, private or public sector, large or small, the Employer Pledge is the basic skills tool for you.

Contact Susannah Jones or Sara Timothy on 02920 408408. Alternatively, email susannahjones@acttraining.org.uk or saratimothy@acttraining.org.uk for more information.

Your feedback is important to us

If you have used ACT's services before, we would appreciate you taking the time out to complete our brief evaluation form below. We estimate it will take no longer than 5-10 minutes.

Download Employer Evaluation Form and return via email to apprenticeships@acttraining.org.uk

Your feedback is important in helping us continue to improve the service we offer - thank you for your time!