Apprenticeship Frameworks

For decades apprentice schemes have proved useful to both the employer and the employee.  There are many advantages to an apprenticeship scheme as it allows the individual to learn on the job whilst gaining a recognised qualification.  It would be useful to the employer to establish what qualification would be essential to the business, for example a hair and beauty business would benefit from having an apprentice studying Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Beauty Therapy. 

With Apprentice Framework it allows the employer the options of setting up their own apprentice scheme specific to their business needs.  But before you do this, it may be worthwhile to look online at frameworks as it may already have been created.  There are different frameworks across the UK as each county require different skills according to their economic needs.

To create a bespoke Apprentice Framework, businesses would need to contact the appropriate sector skills councils (SSC’s) with details of what they wish to achieve from their own bespoke apprentice programme (i.e. the type of skill standards required).   

Your local SSC details can be quite easily found online.  SSC are experts on creating recognised apprenticeship programmes.   

Once the business has provided details of their requirements, the SSC work with the company on the details.  Employers should be mindful that creating a framework does take time to build as it would need to satisfy appropriate skill set criteria’s. 

It is important employers follow SSC help and guidance as failure to comply could void the framework.   

In terms of costs, there will be costs attached (SSC will provide more detail about this) however it is worth noting that the Government will make some contribution.

Though frameworks can be quite extensive and detailed, ‘apprentice frameworks’ will eventually be phased out and replaced by ‘apprenticeship standards’ which, in comparison, is a shorter process and more occupation focused.