Want to take on an apprentice?

Apprenticeships have a history almost as long as time itself. In the 18th century BC the laws of Babylon in Iraq required master craftsmen to provide training for the young. In England the system originated in the medieval craft guilds. The charter granted to the Worshipful Company of Plumbers (www.plumberscompany.org.uk) by James 1 in 1611 empowered the Company to inflict fines upon anyone working as a plumber unless he had been educated or taught as an apprentice for seven years. This was made statutory by Elizabeth 1 - a law that lasted until 1814.

Although apprenticeship has continued to be an essential, although voluntary, route for providing industry with a fully qualified and experienced workforce, today things are rather different! After a period of decline in the 1980’s and 90’s, The Labour Government has re-introduced the principle of apprenticeships. General information can be found on http://maframeworks.lsc.gov.uk/

Apprenticeships in plumbing and heating are the responsibility of SummitSkills, the Sector Skills Council covering building services engineering. With their help we have compiled the following information that we hope will be of help in recruitment and employment of apprentices. The skills training scene is changing rapidly so you are advised to check with the organisations listed at the end for the very latest information.

Please Note: The following information applies to England and Wales. Those in Scotland and Northern Ireland should contact SNIPEF on 0131 225 2255.

Why take on an apprentice?

Taking on an apprentice can be a very worthwhile experience that can be beneficial to both the trainee and the employer. Plumbing and heating engineers take on apprentices because:

• Passing on your knowledge and skill to the next generation can give you a real sense of well being and achievement through giving something back to the industry.
• You can train an apprentice to the high standards you as an employer require.
• You can train someone to work in the manner you wish them to work.
• You are expanding your business - when sufficiently competent, your apprentice can allow you to take on bigger plumbing and heating jobs.
• By developing an apprentice you will develop your business – the training they receive will be of direct benefit to your company.
• An apprentice will add to your team and make you more effective/efficient.
• Someone gave you the chance, now its your turn to do the same.

Apprentice funding support

Funding is currently available to support those who are expected to achieve the full Plumbing Advanced Apprenticeship by their 25th birthday. However, during 2004 it is planned to extend this funding to mature entrants also. SummitSkills advises that those seeking funding should contact the national learning providers, or those who operate locally to identify any funding available (see www.lsc.gov.uk). SummitSkills also runs a dedicated careers helpline on 08000 688 336.

Employers funding support

There is funding available to support the training process which may (in cases) total up to £16,000 over the Advanced Apprenticeship period. This is provided through the local Learning and Skills Council (www.lsc.gov.uk for a local contact) directly to the learning provider.

The amount of funding and the timescale over which it is provided will be identified as a result of initial assessment by the learning provider.

Employers will be expected to make a contribution to this process through paying the apprentice’s wages for the period of training.

Employers will be expected to support the centre training the apprentice i.e. ensure the apprentice is not working when s/he should be attending college.

Rates of Pay and Allowances

This information has been supplied by the Joint Industry Board (JIB) and is related to rates of pay effective from Monday 5th January 2004 and Monday 3rd January 2005.

Working hours: Normal working week = 37.5 hours. Under 18’s should work no more than 40 hour week and no more than 8 hours a day.

The Joint Industry Board recommends apprentices should have 22 days annual holiday at a date agreed in advance with the employer.

The Basic Hourly Rates of Pay – inclusive of tool allowance shall be:

	from 5th Jan 2004	from 3rd Jan 2005
4th year of training with NVQ Level 3*	£8.48	£8.99
4th year of training with NVQ Level 2*	£7.67	£8.13
4th year of training	£6.75	£7.16
3rd year of training with NVQ Level 2*	£6.68	£7.08
3rd year of training	£5.49	£5.82
2nd year of training	£4.87	£5.16
1st year of training	£4.26	£4.51

*Note: Where apprentices have achieved NVQs, the appropriate rate is payable from the date of attainment except that it shall not be any earlier than the commencement of the promulgated year of training in which it applies.

Choosing an apprentice

The demand for plumbing and heating training is high, so how can you ensure you take on someone with the aptitude for the trade? An excellent way to start is to arrange for any applicants to take the Plumbing & Heating Industry Alliance/British Plumbing Employers Council practice “Aptitude Test” provided on the Plumbing Careers CD at schools, careers offices or at a plumbing college. The test is also free to employers (contact details below). The Learning and Skills Council, or other funding authority for Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland that has responsibility for funding training in your area, will require that a person has achieved an appropriate level of education before commencing on an Advanced Apprenticeship.

If the applicant is not successful on the practice aptitude test, they should seek advice on upgrading their skills before entering into a plumbing and heating qualification as the funding may be insufficient for them to achieve.

The “Aptitude Test” is available from the British Plumbing Employers Council (BPEC), tel 0845 644 6558, fax 0131 226 7638 or order on www.bpec.org.uk.

Contracts

Many plumbing and heating engineers in business are reluctant to take on an apprentice due to uncertainty about the apprentice’s future once qualified. There is the risk that the apprentice will complete his/her training and decide to immediately set up in business by themselves. Many employers are now taking up contracts with their apprentices regarding the amount of time the apprentice will spend in employment after attaining their training. This way the apprentice gains the knowledge and skill they need and the employer is repaid for the time and effort put in to training.

Insurance

Be aware of your insurance policies. Will work undertaken by an apprentice be covered? If the apprentice will be driving a van, make sure your insurance covers him/her. Don’t be caught out by the small print. Speak to your insurance broker or alternatively contact Courtprice Limited (the Institute’s Insurance broker) on 0845 603 2023.

Health & Safety Regulations

All Health and Safety Regulations apply to the apprentice. If you have an apprentice through a body such as JTL, please contact them in regard to rules covering notification of accidents etc.

Learning Providers & Centres in your area

The local Learning and Skills Council will be able to provide details of approved learning providers in your area, or you can contact JTL or BEST, both of which provide a national service for plumbing training (see contacts section).

Information on plumbing centres in your area is available on www.summitskills.org.uk and you can call the SummitSkills training hotline on 08000 688 336.

Helpful literature

BPEC Good Business Guide 2, “Selection and Recruitment of Craft Operatives”. Price = £35.25 + VAT (available free to employers in North West Regional Development Agency area through NW Skills project – contact SummitSkills for more information).

BPEC Employers Guide, “Succeed in the Plumbing and Heating Industry by Putting People at the Heart of Your Business”. Price £10.00 + VAT (for micro businesses).

BPEC Good Business Guide 4, “Succeed in the Plumbing and Heating Industry by Putting People at the Heart of Your Business”. Price £35.25 + VAT (for use by larger firms).

Contacts

SummitSkills Limited
Vega House
Opal Drive
Fox Milne
Milton Keynes
MK15 0DF
Locall number: 0870 351 4620
Employment Freephone Helpline: 08000 688 336
Email: enquiries@summitskills.org.uk
Website: www.summitskills.org.uk

Learning & Skills Council
Tel: 0870 900 6800
Website: www.lsc.gov.uk

JTL
Freephone: 0800 085 2308
Website: www.jtlimited.co.uk

BEST
Freephone: 0800 917 8419
Website: www.best-ltd.co.uk

BPEC
Tel: 0845 644 6558
Website: www.bpec.org.uk

CITB
(For construction companies with plumbing departments “In-Scope” to CITB)
Tel: 01485 577577
Website: www.citb.co.uk

SNIPEF (for information relating to Scotland and Northern Ireland)
Tel: 0131 225 2255
Website: www.snipef.co.uk