Apprentice help

paul31_2

Hi,hoping someone could give me alittle bit of advice.I`m currently a self employed(CIS) Bricklayer and i`m looking to take my son on as an apprentice/trainee if possible.
I work for a large house builder at present time and did enquire with them in regards to them taking him on as an apprentice,unfortunately they are`nt taking apprentices this year.They have`nt got a problem with me taking on my own though..what i`d like to know is am i obligated to pay him NMW,as i only get paid on piece work and am also affected by the weather also,obviously while i`ve got the work he`ll be payed well.Or is another option to take him on as a trainee on a self employed basis also?I`ve spoken to the local college who are prepared for him to join the course as long as he`s classed as employed where he will receive his NVQ qualifications,but the assessor was`nt to clued up on the fact of me being self employed and only paid on production of work.
I`d love to take him on as he`s just left school and keen as mustard,but at the same time dont want to be tied up in a lot of red tape,any info would be much appreciated,thanks.

BigAunty

I would think there is no such thing as a self-employed apprentice - they are supposed to be working for an employer. I can't see why any young school leaver has to take the risk of variable income from self employment as a trainee!

The NMW for an apprentice is just £2.60 an hour, not the £6.00 plus for other workers. That's about £90 a week or £4680 a year - even though your income is variable, can you not manage this?

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/EducationAndLearning/14To19/OptionsAt16/DG_4001327

There are organisations that explain how apprenticeships work including info for prospective employers on their obligations.

Does your employer know about the £1500 job grant?

http://www.apprenticeships.org.uk/Employers.aspx

theoretica

If he is living at home and working in the 'family business' you do not need to pay him NMW regardless of whether he is an 'apprentice' or not. See http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Employment/Employees/TheNationalMinimumWage/DG_175114

Sambucus_Nigra

Apprentices have to be employed - and you would then be an employer.

You have to be able to offer the full range within the NVQ L2 or L3 - otherwise your son will not get his apprenticeship.

You will need to register with the CITB if you want to get funding, which is worth thousands in direct grant to you and in that they will pay for the college fees. Also, even though you will have to complete a levy form, it is pretty simple and as long as the wages for you and him fall under the threshold, you will not have to actually pay the levy.

http://www.cskills.org/levy-grant/claiming-grant/current-grants/2012-2013/apprenticeships/apprenticeships.aspx

CITB are well used to one man bands taking apprentices on, so call the New entrant team and they should be able to help you sort this out.

saintjammyswine

Sambucus_Nigra wrote: »

Apprentices have to be employed - and you would then be an employer.

You have to be able to offer the full range within the NVQ L2 or L3 - otherwise your son will not get his apprenticeship.

You will need to register with the CITB if you want to get funding, which is worth thousands in direct grant to you and in that they will pay for the college fees. Also, even though you will have to complete a levy form, it is pretty simple and as long as the wages for you and him fall under the threshold, you will not have to actually pay the levy.

http://www.cskills.org/levy-grant/claiming-grant/current-grants/2012-2013/apprenticeships/apprenticeships.aspx

CITB are well used to one man bands taking apprentices on, so call the New entrant team and they should be able to help you sort this out.

Dont have to register with CITB to get the funding by the way, contact your local FE College. There is also the SFA Apprenticeship grant worth £1500 to small businesses taking on their first apprentice.

Correct about the rest though, offering the whole range of skills to evidence the NVQ standards etc.

Sambucus_Nigra

saintjammyswine wrote: »

Dont have to register with CITB to get the funding by the way, contact your local FE College. There is also the SFA Apprenticeship grant worth £1500 to small businesses taking on their first apprentice.

Correct about the rest though, offering the whole range of skills to evidence the NVQ standards etc.

Citb funding is about £7k, so well worth registering for if you are a SME taking on an apprentice.

saintjammyswine

Sambucus_Nigra wrote: »

Citb funding is about £7k, so well worth registering for if you are a SME taking on an apprentice.

Agree but not a requirement to get an apprentice. How much is the levy for CITB?

Does the funding go directly to the employer or is it simply to put towards training fees and therefore go to the provider?

thanks, not 100% on CITB levy etc. better on ECITB!

Sambucus_Nigra

saintjammyswine wrote: »

Agree but not a requirement to get an apprentice. How much is the levy for CITB?

Does the funding go directly to the employer or is it simply to put towards training fees and therefore go to the provider?

thanks, not 100% on CITB levy etc. better on ECITB!

Zero levy if you are a one man band. Hence saying 'it is pretty simple and as long as the wages for you and him fall under the threshold, you will not have to actually pay the levy.'

The grant goes straight to the employer. Plus they pay the college fees and any other grants are also payable.