Employers collaborate to take on 50 young cleaning apprentices
Cleaning and facilities management employers are being urged to take part in a new scheme offering cleaning apprenticeships to young people.
The programme is being run by the training arm of FM and support services company Jarvis, which has funding for 50 apprentices aged 16 to 18 years on the Cleaning & Support Services Apprenticeship.
Other employers who have signed up along with Jarvis to offer work placements and jobs as part of the project include Keir, Ecovert, G4S and Interserve.
Asset Skills, the Sector Skills Council for facilities management and cleaning, is calling on employers to get involved to ensure the success of the first phase, which starts in April.
“This is really good news for young people especially at a time of high unemployment,” says Karen Waterlow, Facilities Management & Cleaning Specialist at Asset Skills.
“The new Cleaning & Support Services Apprenticeship is an excellent first step in to a range of rewarding careers in the cleaning and FM industries. It is encouraging to see employers collaborating on skills and we would urge others who can offer an apprentice the chance of good quality work experience - and a job at the end of it - to get involved.”
Jarvis will employ the apprentices for the period of the programme which will be delivered in 22 weeks and the host employer will need to provide a minimum of 16 hours' work each week. Jarvis will cover all employment costs, other than PPE and on-site supervision. Jarvis will deliver all the training on site and will offer all the apprentices a completion bonus as an incentive to stay on programme.
Employers are being sought all over England but particularly in the following cities - Sunderland, Liverpool, Sheffield, Oldham, Birmingham and London, where pilots are already planned. There is flexibility on other locations – particularly if an employer can offer a number of places.
Employers may be involved in the recruitment of the apprenticeship if they wish and will be asked to provide a commitment to continue the young person’s employment (providing they are suitable) after the 22 week period has been completed. This will potentially be a rolling programme with the first pilot starting in April. Employers can indicate interest for future phases should they wish.
Asset Skills is supporting this pilot for collaborative employer working and is looking at such innovative models as part of plans for a “virtual skills academy” for FM. The organisation is keen to hear from employers interested in progressing the Jarvis scheme and the idea of a virtual skills academy.
Frequently asked questions about Apprenticeships
What are Apprenticeships?
They are work-based training programmes designed around the needs of employers, which lead to national recognised qualifications.
Who are they for?
You can use Apprenticeships to train both new and existing employees. Funding is often available to train apprentices.
Who runs them?
Apprenticeships are designed by the Sector Skills Councils: the National Apprenticeship Service helps to fund training. The Government has pledged an extra 35,000 advanced apprenticeships with investment rising from £17m in 2010 - 11 to £115m in 2014 - 15.
How are Apprenticeships developed?
Business representatives from the relevant industry sector work with Sector Skills Councils to develop the course content. Because they genuinely understand your business, the training will be relevant for your industry.
Where do they take place?
This is up to the employer. Most of the training is ‘on the job’. The rest can be provided by a local college or by a specialist learning provider, or in some cases is delivered by the employer.
Apprenticeship facts in numbers
* 80% of employers who employ apprentices say they make their workplace more productive.
* 81% of consumers favour using a company which takes on apprentices.
* The minimum wage for apprentices is £95 per week. Many employers prefer to pay more however, and research shows that the average salary is approx £170 per week.
* Employers who take on a 16-18 year old apprentice only pay their salary. The Government will fund their training.
* Over 100,000 employers offer Apprenticeship places in over 190 job roles across a wide range of sectors.
* 88% of employers who employ apprentices believe that Apprenticeships lead to a more motivated and satisfied workforce.
* 83% of employers who employ apprentices rely on their Apprenticeships programme to provide the skilled workers that they need for the future.
* One in five employers is hiring more apprentices to help them through the tough economic climate.
