Employer FAQs
Employing an apprentice is the ideal way to ensure you can build and develop your company’s workforce. With skills shortages in so many key areas it ensures you are developing both the academic and vocational skills required for the future. We will work with you to ensure the programme your apprentice follows suits your business needs.
Contact us at workbasedlearning.nwh@uhi.ac.uk
What is a Modern Apprenticeship?
What is a Modern Apprenticeship?
Modern Apprenticeships (MA) help employers develop their workforce by training new staff, and upskilling existing employees. For individuals, a Modern Apprenticeship is a job that lets them earn a wage and gain an industry-recognised qualification.
Your apprentice will get structured training and a qualification designed for your industry. You’ll get motivated people who want to get ahead in their careers, bringing in fresh talent and skills your business needs for the growth you want.
UHI North Highland will deal with the funding for training, and offer support for Modern Apprentices and employers.
UHI North Highland will organise and deliver the training and make sure your employee is properly registered on the scheme. The training could combine college and workplace learning, and professional development. It is our job to make sure each Modern Apprentice obtains the intended qualification. To do this, they need the support of the employer and commitment from the Modern Apprentice.
Who pays for the training?
Who pays for the training?
Skills Development Scotland contribute towards the training costs – this will be processed by North Highland College UHI.
Who pays the Modern Apprentice's salary?
Who pays the Modern Apprentice's salary?
The Modern Apprentice will be just like any other employee of your business, so you'll pay their wages. Make sure you pay a salary that attracts the best people. Remember you must pay at least the National Minimum Wage.
Who pays for the Modern Apprentice's equipment?
Who pays for the Modern Apprentice's equipment?
You’ll provide the tools and equipment a Modern Apprentice needs to do their job.
What are frameworks, and how do they work?
What are frameworks, and how do they work?
A framework sets out the skills, knowledge and competencies needed to carry out a job. UHI North, West and Hebrides works closely with Skills Development Scotland and a variety of sector skills councils to offer a range of modern apprenticeships in a range of disciplines. Frameworks will cover:
- The relevant SCQF/MA level or an alternative competency-based qualification
- The core skills included*
- Details of any industry-specific training
- Duration of the apprenticeship
*Core Skills are skills and abilities which everyone needs in their work. This is true for every job in every workplace. Core Skills also feature in National Qualifications such as Standard Grades and Highers and from 2000, Scottish candidates have been issued with a Core Skills profile on their Scottish Qualifications Certificate. Candidates who have already been certificated as achieving Core Skills at the levels given above – either in the workplace or at school or college - do not need to repeat these Core Skills as part of the Modern Apprenticeship Framework
When do Modern Apprentices attend college?
When do Modern Apprentices attend college?
This will vary depending on the framework chosen. Attendance at college will be discussed with assessor.
I've recruited an apprentice, how do I register them for college?
I've recruited an apprentice, how do I register them for college?
Your apprentice must complete an online application via the relevant Modern Apprenticeship course page.
If you require assistance with the online application, please contact our admissions team on 01847 889000 or info.nwh@uhi.ac.uk
What employers say
Andrew Mackay, The Caithness Collection
"We have been collaborating with UHI North Highland for several years. We are so lucky that due to this partnership, we can continue to offer a fulfilling and meaningful apprenticeship alongside quality on-the-job training within The Caithness Collection. Through this partnership, our team has gone from strength to strength in achieving their ambitions in Hospitality and beyond. One of our initial priorities when setting up The Caithness Collection was to facilitate worthwhile careers in hospitality and to provide a learning platform showcasing Hospitality as a career of choice without having to leave the beauty of Caithness."
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John Campbell, JGC Engineering & Technical Services Ltd
“JGC are pleased to be working in partnership with UHI North Highland in recruiting our apprentices from the Performing Engineering Courses each year. This has worked well and provided JGC with a high standard of apprentices, allowing us to grow talent and the business through a motivated and skilled workforce.”
Alison Huggins, Riverside House Care Home
“Modern Apprenticeships benefits our staff as they are able to work while gaining a qualification which enhances them in their role. As we are a stand-alone company it can be expensive to put staff through their necessary qualifications, thus we can only put a few forward at a time. The Modern Apprenticeship scheme allows us to have more of our staff gaining qualifications at one time as it is of no extra cost to us.”