North West Skills Development Network
North West Skills Development Network
Informatics Apprenticeship Scheme
The way in which apprenticeship schemes are being funded and delivered is changing. This presents an opportunity for the NW Skills Development Network to broaden the existing provision by Skills for Health as well as offering a wide range of apprenticeship programmes across Informatics, Finance and Procurement rather than contracting them out to third party suppliers. The initial pilot will concentrate on Informatics, investigating the possibility of offering technicallybased apprenticeship schemes.
Young people are a very under-represented demographic within the informatics workforce. We should strive to change this, particularly given that a new scheme is potentially available to employ apprentices.
The following are a series of questions and answers which will help your organisation to decide whether it is in a position to consider taking on an apprentice.
At the end of this document is a link to a very short questionnaire which we would be grateful if you could complete. This will help us to assess the level of interest in taking on informatics apprentices.
Please consider carefully whether your organisation is in a position to influence this exciting new proposal. Many thanks.
Julie Davison
Informatics Skills Development Network Manager
01928 753276 / 07919 394592
What is an apprentice?An apprentice is a person who learns on the job as opposed to learning via an academic route. Government policy is to prioritise 16-18 year olds for apprenticeships,as it continues to remain difficult to get young people in to paid employment, however, individuals of any age can be an apprentice.
Why employ an apprentice?
Apprenticeships are a way of reducing costs whilst developing new staff in the organisation with the right skills and knowledge for the job, making them an asset to the workforce. Apprentices can also bring different perspectives which helps to support the generation of new ideas.
What type of young person wants to be an apprentice?
Individuals who have chosen not to go on to college or university and want to develop job-specific skills and valuable on-the-job experience whilst earning a wage.
Why start with an informatics apprenticeship scheme?
Young people are an under-represented demographic within the informatics workforce.
Is there already an Informatics Apprenticeship Scheme running in the North West?
Yes. This is a one year, Level 2 Health Informatics Apprenticeship offered via Skills for Health. This scheme is different from the apprenticeship scheme the Network is looking to run which is predominantly concerned with the development of technical skills.
What does the Network’s informatics apprenticeship scheme look like?
- 2 year programme
- Year 1 - Level 2 IT Application Specialist Apprenticeship incorporating the development of high-end IT user skills in Microsoft Office across all the following areas of informatics:
- IT Systemsand Networking
- Data and Information
- Year 2 - Level 3 IT, Software, Web and Telecoms Professionals Apprenticeship specialising in only one of the above areas of informatics.
I work in a small organisation and can’t offer an apprentice experience in all three areas listed.
You can make arrangements for the apprentice to get experience across other areas of your local health economy and agree locally on how the salary for the apprentice will be funded. Alternatively, the Network may be able to find a potential partner within your geographical area.
What support does an apprentice need from an employer?
- Exposure to all areas (above) in relation to skills development;
- Someone who is willing to be shadowed in their job and can supervise them;
- Provision of a mentor;
- The allocation of appropriate pieces of work which can be completed under supervision and subsequently used as evidence for their qualification.
What is the study versus work experience ratio?
Year 1 - one day per week studying and 4 days per week working for the organisation.
Year 2 - block release for study, usually 5 days at a time but may vary depending on the choice of specialism.
How much will it cost to employ an apprentice?
At least the minimum wage of £2.73 per hour (as at Feb 2015) plus paid expenses for travelling to attend training. This equates to an annual salary of £5,324 in the first year rising to £7,000 in the second year in recognition of skills development and progression to a higher level of qualification.
Do apprentices need to be part of the staffing establishment?
No - they can be employed on a contract under Annexe U: Arrangements for Pay and Banding of Trainees of the NHS Terms & Conditions Handbook; this means they should be supernumerary.
Do I need to guarantee an apprentice a job at the end of the scheme?
No; however, as opportunities arise in your organisation it would make sense to consider whether a newly qualified apprentice could fill these.
How is the apprenticeship scheme funded?
The North West Skills Development Network will apply to have a contract with the Skills Funding Agency which will cover the costs relating to the delivery of training for apprentices.
Where will the apprenticeship schemes be run?
The aim is to have a scheme running in each of the following areas:
- Greater Manchester
- Cheshire & Merseyside
- Lancashire*
Who will be the central point of contact for all issues relating to apprentices?
The North West Skills Development Network will co-ordinate all issues in relation to the scheme itself i.e. recruiting to the scheme, having regular contact with the placement officer and overseeing the quality of training provision. The apprentice will be an employee of your organisation and you will therefore have full responsibility for health & safety, welfare etc.
If there is enough interest in setting up an informatics apprenticeship scheme, when is it likely to start?
September 2015