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Smart Training for Employers

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COMMITMENTS TO US AND YOUR APPRENTICE

Digital Apprenticeship Service – new changes to apprenticeship funding affecting SME employers.

January 2020 brings an exciting change for employers! The ESFA is empowering SMEs through the new online Digital Apprenticeship Service (DAS). Any employer who registers for an online account here can view their allocated funding, apprenticeships available as well as advertising to recruit for new apprentices.

It's important to be one step ahead by applying for your online account today as by 1 November 2020 the DAS system will be the only way to manage and allocate your apprenticeship funding.

Registering is simple! We will send you a link to get started, you just need one of the following to set up the account:

- Government gateways credentials

- Your account office reference number

- PLUS your PAYE reference number.

Once the account is set up we can be given permission by you to manage the administration – don’t worry you always retain control but we take the pain for you!

ESFA have published a series of webinars with more information here or details around funding here or you can contact us on 020 7609 4198 and we can support you through the registration process.

Download our handy walkthrough guide below to help you navigate the DAS system or check out the video from the ESFA:

DAS Walkthrough

In April we hosted a webinar providing an overview of the new Digital Apprenticeship Service (DAS) for SMEs. As well as giving some background about what it is and how you can sign up for free, we provide a walkthrough demonstration of the DAS portal.

Why choose Smart Training?

We will do the heavy lifting:

If you've got a business to run, the last thing you want to do is run round trying to take care of all the red tape. At Smart Training, we think apprenticeships should be easy. We don't believe in piling on paperwork or having you jumping through hoops. We'll deal with all the admin and lighten the load.

Dedicated account manager:

You'll receive your very own account manager so you'll have a single point of contact from start to finish. We work hard to make sure we match the right member of our team with the right business. Like a dating agency, but without the heartache.

We will show you the money:

Budgets are tight. You’re being asked to do more with less. Sound familiar? It's a situation we help employers deal with on a daily basis. In short, we understand you have a bottom line, not a bottomless pit of available cash. That's why we work with you to upskill your workforce, without breaking the bank.

Bye-bye bureaucracy:

No one enjoys filling in forms, especially when it is a duplicate of a duplicate that was filled in three days earlier. By streamlining the apprenticeship process, you can spend more time with your staff working on their apprenticeship and less time looking after admin. Less forms, less hassle.

Flexibility? We'll bend over backwards:

Employers’ needs no longer fit into a tried and tested box. That's why we had to start thinking outside of it. Our flexible training programmes are designed to keep downtime to a minimum and we're always available to help you deal with any issues.

"I found the management courses very interesting. They equipped me with the skills to progress into things like risk assessments and budgeting. I wouldn't be in the role I am today without them!"

Sarah - Management Student

Wide range of courses

We have a comprehensive range of childcare, business and management training courses available which have been created by people who work in these sectors. They've been carefully designed with the specific needs of your industry in mind, so whatever your employee’s current level of education, there's an apprenticeship that's relevant to their role.

Our 30-strong team of tutors have extensive industry knowledge and experience, plus a commitment to bringing out the best in each learner. We'll look after your learners so you can get back to business.

Funded Training

We are funded by the government which means we may be able to offer you and your staff subsidised apprenticeship training depending on their current qualifications and eligibility. It's available to people who are employed for more than 16 hours a week and have lived or worked in the UK or European Union for the last three years.

Non-levy paying employers are now required to contribute 5% of the costs of training and learners are not legally allowed to pay this fee. Large employers can fund the entire cost through the apprenticeship levy.

An apprentice needs to be in training for at least a year and 1 day, which equates to 1,590 hours – or 30 hours a week – of employment. It is expected that 20% of these hours are spent completing off the job training. For more information on employing an Apprentice, then please click here.

Off the Job Training on your terms

20% of your employees' week will need to include off the job training. But that does not mean they have to be off site – it just means time out from their day-to-day duties. Our aim is to develop your business, not disrupt it, so we'll work with you to tailor the off-the job time to things like work shadowing and projects.

Flexibility

We've found that when it comes to training, flexibility is key. Our courses typically involve attending a study day once a month, with a range of assignments and practical projects that they need to complete in the workplace. We know that everyone is different, which is why we have a wide range of online resources available, so learners can develop their skills when they want, how they want.

“Smart Training is brilliant at being flexible and understanding with our very varied groups of learners.”

Nicola, Assistant Head Teacher

Bespoke training

If you have six or more staff who want to work towards a qualification, just let us know and we'll come to you. We can arrange training in your own workplace, and at a time that's convenient for you. For more information call us on 020 7609 4198

There are lots of other ways Smart Training can also help your business:

Recruitment Service

If you have a vacancy that needs filling then Smart Training’s recruitment service is on hand to help – and it won’t cost you a penny. We can find the right person to fill the role. The service is free to employers and learners with the only condition being once you’ve employed the new member of your team, they will need to sign up for one of Smart Training’s courses. Call our Recruitment and Placements team on 0207 609 4198 to discuss your requirements or email start@smart-training.com

Employer Incentives

If you're a small employer with 49 employees or less that's looking to take on an apprentice, there are a range of incentives available. The government will waiver the 5% contribution small employers are normally required to pay for apprentices between 16-18 years old, and you may be entitled to a £1,000 apprenticeship grant payment however the recruitment of one or more apprentices must not take the average number of employees above 50.

For more information call us on 0207 609 4198 or email start@smart-training.com

Work placements

If you don’t need a new member of staff, but would like to give something back, please get in touch. At Smart Training, we offer a Traineeship programme where young people who are looking for work take on an unpaid placement for two days a week. This is a great opportunity to not only get an extra pair of hands for free, but also help young people get the skills and experience they need to to find a job and get into the world of work. All you would need to do is to offer a work placement for two days a week for six weeks. To find out more please contact our team on 0207 609 4198