Your school, college or multi-academy trust may already be paying for apprenticeships nationally, so why not take on an apprentice?
Liverpool Hope, one of four Catholic universities in England, supports employers, especially schools and multi-academy trusts, to access government funding for recruiting and training apprentices.
When the annual wage bill of an organisation exceeds £3million, by law it must contribute to the government’s Growth and Skills Levy, formerly known as the Apprenticeship Levy. This may likely include some of the larger secondary schools or colleges, and academy trusts running multiple schools. Crucially, many smaller maintained schools may also be able to access funding through their Local Authority’s levy account, ensuring that government-funded training is available across the entire educational landscape.
Apprenticeships can range from a level 2 (GCSE) qualification to level 6 (degree). An apprentice is employed by the school, college or academy trust, balancing practical workplace experience and responsibilities with structured off-the-job training and allocated time for study.
Educational institutions are also in an ideal position to identify those of their own students interested in teaching as a career. They can then take them on as a government-funded apprentice, a ‘home-grown’ approach to Catholic education sector recruitment.
Emmy Cleworth (pictured) is a Primary Teacher Apprentice through Liverpool Hope University, and based at a school in Widnes.
She said: “The reason an apprenticeship worked better for me was because I am a very inquisitive learner. I’d say I like to learn something and then apply it to something like a certain scenario straight away.
“With a degree on its own I feel I’d miss that practical side of something, whereas a degree apprenticeship I like to then learn and apply at the same time.”
Apprenticeships can similarly provide training for existing employees. For example, a teaching assistant can become a Specialist Teaching Assistant or Qualified Teacher through an apprenticeship route, or support staff can train in marketing or project management.
You can contact the Liverpool Hope University Apprenticeships Team at apprenticeships@hope.ac.uk or on 0151 291 2281.
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