Government is very clear on its definition of an apprenticeship and this is important when it comes to understanding what the Apprenticeship Levy is about and what it can be used for.
- An apprenticeship is a job with an accompanying skills development programme including workplace learning, formal off the job training and end point assessment.
- Apprentices will gain technical knowledge, practical experience and wider skills they need for their immediate and future careers through a range of learning and the ooprtunity to practise new skills in a real work environment.
- Apprentices must be an employee on the first day of their apprenticeship and be paid at least a wage consistent with the law for the time they are in work and in off the job training.
- The apprenticeship must last at least one year or more ifspecified in the apprenticeship Standard or Framework.
It is a requirement of the Apprenticeships, Skills, Children and Learning Act 2009 that the employer must have an apprenticeship agreement with the apprentice. This can be a contract of employment but it must include specific information setting out how the employer, the provider and the apprentice will support the successful achievement of the apprenticeship.