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National Apprenticeship Week 2020

Posted on 3 February 2020 by Michelle McCartney - Kent-Teach in Career | Resources | Schools


In light of National Apprenticeship Week taking place from 3rd to 9th February 2020, this year’s theme is “Look Beyond”. 

With the weeklong celebration, the theme focuses on the typical stereotypes around apprenticeships, and celebrates the wide range of diverse opportunities that apprenticeships bring to an organisation. 

Ask yourself: How can you encourage a wider, more diverse and inclusive workforce?  

Could you consider apprenticeships as an additional hiring method?

Are you utilising your apprenticeship levy to recruit and harness new talent? 

Are you investing in your existing workforce? 

Did you know that now more than ever, the government are committed to improving the quality of apprenticeships in addition to increasing the number of apprenticeship opportunities across the public sector? It is the expectation that schools will play an important part in contributing to this by increasing the number of apprentices across their own workforce. 

Apprenticeships are a good way for schools to enable the practical knowledge and skills needed to enter the workplace, retain staff and upskill the current workforce to support career progression. 
Here’s what you need to know about apprenticeships! 

What does the apprenticeship levy mean for schools? 
As of April 2017, the way in which the government funded apprenticeships in England changed, whereby some employers were required to contribute to the apprenticeship levy. Ultimately this resulted in changes to the funding for apprenticeship training for all employers.
The changes include the introduction of a new co-investment rate for non-levy paying employers. If your school has a payroll bill that is less than £3m, you will not pay into the levy, however, will be eligible for ‘co-investment’. This means that the government will cover 90% of your apprentice’s training and assessment costs up to the funding band maximum, and you’ll only need to contribute that last 10%. 

If the employer of the staff at your school is a local authority, a governing body which controls more than one school, or a multi-academy trust with an annual pay bill of more than £3 million, you may contribute to the levy through them. 

What is an apprenticeship? 
Apprenticeships are not just for young people, anyone at any age can become an apprentice and benefit from gaining valuable skills and knowledge in a specific job role. An apprenticeship consists of a combination of work-based learning and off-the-job training, enabling the apprentice to bring new skills into the work environment. 

Who are apprenticeships available to?  
Apprenticeships are available to new recruits and existing employees and are a way of bringing new talent into to your school, as well as to develop, harness and upskill your existing workforce.

What levels of apprenticeship are available? 


What are the benefits of recruiting an apprentice or developing my workforce? 

• Schools can recruit, retain and develop skilled and invested employees
• Apprenticeships aid recruitment and retention
• Employees will work to aligned industry/sector specific standards 
• Schools can tackle skills gaps and shortages 
• Apprenticeships help to motivate your existing workforce 

What apprenticeships are available for my school?
Schools employ a variety of staff across a wide range of job roles that align with a wide variety of apprenticeship frameworks and standards.

Here are just some of the apprenticeship standards and frameworks available to schools: 

A full list of apprenticeships available standards and current frameworks are available online, however, please note that all apprenticeship frameworks will be withdrawn by August 2020 and replaced by apprenticeship standards.

If you’re interested in recruiting an apprentice and not sure of the key times to advertise, why not take a look at our key recruitment periods infographics.

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