Do you want to build a highly skilled workforce? Do you need help to grow your business? Do you need to improve the professional and technical skills of your team(s)?

86% of employers said apprenticeships helped them develop relevant skills for their organisation*

78% of employers said apprenticeships helped them improve productivity*

74% of employers said apprenticeships helped them improve the quality of their product or service*

 Apprenticeships offer a variety of benefits including:

• Effective strategic workforce planning
• Supporting career development and progression within the organisation
• Generating fresh perspective and new ideas
• Providing supervision and mentoring experience for current team members
• Growing talent through a motivated, skilled and qualified workforce

Wirral Met supports the following apprenticeship standards:
Please click on each title to explore the apprenticeships available.

Can’t find the apprenticeship standard you are looking for?

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Did you know about the Government incentives? Employers can claim an incentive payment of £1,000 for recruiting an apprentice aged 16-18.

We work closely with you as the employer to create a comprehensive training programme that will benefit your business, as well as the apprentice – whether they are an existing employee, or a new recruit.

Offering a range of levels, from intermediate and advanced to degree and masters level, apprentices have access to outstanding support from our highly skilled tutors and assessors with a wide range of expertise.

Why work with Wirral Met College?

As a high quality education and training provider, we are proud to work with over 500 employers across the Liverpool City Region and beyond.

Free Personal Service

You will have a dedicated point of contact from our experienced team, who will act as a Training Manager for your business, providing free advice and guidance on funding and recruitment.

Training Analysis

You will receive a free of charge gap analysis of your current employees’ skills and those needed to achieve your business goals – invaluable for succession planning.

Expertise

Our tutors and assessors all have a wide range of expertise, helping you to enhance employee satisfaction and retention through specialist training, resulting in a more motivated and productive team. 

Employers we work with

An outstanding, inclusive College

The quality of our training programmes are accredited by external professional bodies, affirming our commitment to high quality learning and education for all through unique learning experiences.

Frequently Asked Questions

• What is an apprenticeship?

  Apprenticeships are industry specific work-based learning programmes designed to develop the apprentices’ skills, from junior to management levels. Combining both theory and practical assessments in the workplace, alongside assignments and exams at College, apprenticeships include skills, knowledge and behaviours with qualifications required for specific job roles including English and maths.

• What do the different apprenticeship levels mean?

  There are various levels of apprenticeships available through Wirral Met College, with different levels equating to qualifications as described below.

  Apprenticeship Level	Qualification Equivalent
  2	Five GCSE passes at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C)
  3	Two A-Level passes at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C)
  4 & 5	Foundation Degrees, Higher National Certificates and Diplomas
  6	Bachelor's Degree
  7	Master's Degree

• What does it cost and what funding is available?

  Employers can claim an incentive payment of £1,000 for recruiting an apprentice aged 16-18.

  Apprenticeship costs differ and depend on the level of the qualification.

  If your business’ pay bill is less than £3 million per year, you will pay 5% of the cost to the College, as your chosen training provider, towards the costs of training and assessing your apprentice. The government will then pay the College 95% up to the funding band maximum.

  If your business employs fewer than 50 people, you will not have to pay the 5% contribution for an apprentice aged between 16 and 18, or between 19 and 24 if they have previously been in care, or have an EHCP (Education, Health and Care Pplan) provided by the local authority. The government will pay the College 100% of the training cost.

  If your business’ pay bill exceeds £3 million per year, you will be required to pay an apprenticeship levy of 0.5% of your annual pay bill. The amount you pay is calculated by the HMRC using data that they hold about the home addresses of your employees. The levy is collected by the HMRC directly through the business’ PAYE and is payable alongside income tax and National Insurance – there is an annual allowance of £15,000.00 which is deducted on a monthly basis across 12 months.

  What is a ‘pay bill’?
  ‘Pay bill’ is defined by the total employee earnings that are subject to class 1 secondary National Insurance contributions.

  An allowance of £15,000.00 means that only those employers with an annual pay bill of more than £3million have to pay and report the levy, as this allowance eliminates a levy liability up to a pay bill of £3million.

  A pay bill of less than £3million may attract a levy liability where an employer operates multiple payrolls, or has more than one HMRC reference, or is a connected company or charity, as only one allowance is available.

  How can I access levy funds as an employer and how can it be spent?
  Once you have declared the levy to the HMRC, your business can access funding through your digital account with the Apprenticeship Service (URL). Valid for 24 months, you can spend the levy on apprenticeship training only.

  How does the transfer of a levy work?
  Businesses who pay the levy and have unused funds can transfer up to 25% of their annual funds to other businesses. There is no limit to the number of businesses that the funds can be transferred to, however they must only be used for apprenticeship training.

• What are the benefits of employing an apprentice?

  Aside from creating a highly skilled workforce through comprehensive work-based learning and boosting productivity, there are many benefits to apprenticeships.

  Existing employees – you can provide progression opportunities for existing employees through a cost-effective training solution that supports succession plans whilst providing a great return on investment.  

  New recruits – you can create a highly skilled workforce, moulding new recruits with the attitudes and behaviours that represent your business’ core values.

  Working with Wirral Met College – by working with us to deliver your apprenticeship programme(s), you will receive a personal service from our experienced team, who will act as a Training Manager for your business, providing advice and guidance on funding and recruitment.

• Is there any legislation behind hiring an apprentice?

  Apprentices are employed by your business and must therefore be issued with a contract of employment in line with The Enterprise Act 2016 – with no mention of the College within the terms and conditions of this contract. You must provide apprentices with a full induction, including health and safety as well as any clothing or PPE required for their role. Apprentices must receive the minimum salary in line with the Apprentice Wage for the first year of the apprenticeship and the National Minimum Wage thereafter.

• What is the eligibility for hiring an apprentice?

  Employers – any organisation can hire an apprentice, no matter the size or the sector.

  Apprentices – apprentices must be aged 16+ and can be either new recruits or existing employees. Although apprentices can already have a degree level qualification, it must not be related to the apprenticeship Standard.

• What are the working hours of an apprentice and how frequently are they required to attend College?

  Apprentices should be employed from between 16 and 40 hours per week, and ideally for a minimum of 30 hours per week, and this must include 20% of the apprentice’s time spent on ‘off-the-job training*’. If the apprentice works fewer than 30 hours per week, the duration of the apprenticeship will be extended (pro-rata). Time spent at the College for training must be included within working hours and paid at the normal rate.

  *20% off-the-job training is a crucial element to an apprenticeship and can include College day release (excluding English and maths), training delivered at the apprentice’s place of work or training delivered online.

Grow your business by investing in apprenticeships.

Wirral Met College will support you every step of the way, offering a personal service that you can rely on.

*source: apprenticeships.gov.uk