Apprenticeships

[Allsorts]

I have been approached by a 16 yr old wanting a job as an apprentice, working 4 days, college 1 day a week. What is the going rate of pay and are there any grants available?

 

[Still Farming]

Lots of tractor and machinery dealers will not even reply about Apprenticeships or 1 day a week work experience because of Covid and Pandemic times ?

 

[neilo]

I don’t think there is a going rate of pay, so can pay anything (or nothing) I believe.

I am informed that there is a grant of £1500 available if you employ him for at least 16 hours a week, or £3000 if you employ him for more than 30 hours.
That’s in Wales though, not sure if it’s a UK scheme or a Welsh one.

 

[Ffermer Bach]

there is a national minimum wage for apprenticeships (this is lower than the rate for a non apprentice), however I believe he has to be signed on to an apprenticeship scheme to make sure you don't fall foul of the minimum wage board (apprentice rate £4.15, under 18 rate £4.55/hr). No idea if there are any grants available in England. Usually (for a building apprenticeship) the employer pays wages for the day in college too, as it is a work day.

 

[JWL]

Moved on from my apprenticeship, £25/week Youth Opportunities Programme Scheme, work way above the hours of a basic week for no pay, it was in recognition that I had been given a job in the first place.

 

[Scholsey]

Think it’s 4.20/hr Minimum wage and grants depend on college bodies, get £500 after 6months and another £500 after the second 6 months.

 

[Frank-the-Wool]

The Ag colleges should be able to help with all the paperwork and what pay rates need to be paid. Most apprentices come through this route. Talk to the college and I think you will find they are desperate to get bums on seats!

 

[Still Farming]

The Ag colleges should be able to help with all the paperwork and what pay rates need to be paid. Most apprentices come through this route. Talk to the college and I think you will find they are desperate to get bums on seats!

Lot of lessons online and reluctance by placements to take students on because of rules,regs. With Covid and Pandemic ongoing situations.

 

[steveR]

Lot of lessons online and reluctance by placements to take students on because of rules,regs. With Covid and Pandemic ongoing situations.

Sadly, the point about Rules and Regs is very pertinent, as is the "wage" that needs to be paid. There seemed to be little recognition that the student was in many cases a "liability" for 4-5 months, needing a lot of hand holding and watching, not always easy on a farm work place...

I had 6-7 Students over several years here, when there was a bit more work on the farm, some poor, some good, a couple excellent. All bar one stayed in Agriculture and I still see or speak to some many years later.

BUT the move to Apprenticeships with a relatively high cost to the farm, until the student gets some skills/experience, deterred me from going down that road again.

I am contempating the Kickstart scheme in the New Year, as I like having some young blood about... Just need to give a bit of thought to the process. https://www.gov.uk/government/news/landmark-kickstart-scheme-opens

@delilah , have the LWA any involvement with this?

 

[Poorbuthappy]

Potentially you could use the kick start scheme?

[Withdrawn] Kickstart Scheme

The Kickstart Scheme provides funding to employers to create jobs for 16 to 24 year olds on Universal Credit.

www.gov.uk

This might not be a) what the lad wants
Or b) he may not qualify.

But if suitable the govt pay min wage for 25 hours a week and help with further training.
You also need a local facilitator because minimum requirement is for 30 placements.

Edit to add - its only a 6 month scheme

2nd edit - I see @steveR beat me to it.

 

[steveR]

Potentially you could use the kick start scheme?

But if suitable the govt pay min wage for 25 hours a week and help with further training.
You also need a local facilitator because minimum requirement is for 30 placements.

Edit to add - its only a 6 month scheme

2nd edit - I see @steveR beat me to it.

Only just... I wass trying to find the links...

Cannot see that the local College has anything for Ag trainees... :-(

 

[Poorbuthappy]

Only just... I wass trying to find the links...

Cannot see that the local College has anything for Ag trainees... :-(

There's a partnership involving a local chamber of commerce in our area. I have registered an interest, and am told they should be able to organise something with the local ag college. There's at least 1 other farmer applied under their scheme.

 

[Al R]

there is a national minimum wage for apprenticeships (this is lower than the rate for a non apprentice), however I believe he has to be signed on to an apprenticeship scheme to make sure you don't fall foul of the minimum wage board (apprentice rate £4.15, under 18 rate £4.55/hr). No idea if there are any grants available in England. Usually (for a building apprenticeship) the employer pays wages for the day in college too, as it is a work day.

Holy moly where can I find them for that..

 

[Robt]

See it as a massive opportunity. The whole industry is in need of more young blood. Sadly our business can’t take apprentice due to travel and nights away but would jump at chance if I could

 

[steveR]

See it as a massive opportunity. The whole industry is in need of more young blood. Sadly our business can’t take apprentice due to travel and nights away but would jump at chance if I could

Agree, which is why I am looking at the Kickstart scheme. The 25hr week will work for me I reckon, whereas as Day Release Apprentice is more than I want/need. I did explore sharing a lad with a near nighbour, but that was far too complicated!!

The trouble is, there is no chance that I can offer a job afterwards to a young person... But if it helps them become employable, then that's a Win.

 

[steveR]

There's a partnership involving a local chamber of commerce in our area. I have registered an interest, and am told they should be able to organise something with the local ag college. There's at least 1 other farmer applied under their scheme.

Same here, and I know someone locally who has setup as a Gateway.

 

[Muddyroads]

Moved on from my apprenticeship, £25/week Youth Opportunities Programme Scheme, work way above the hours of a basic week for no pay, it was in recognition that I had been given a job in the first place.

That brings back memories. Holme Lacy 82-84, YTS, then YOPS.

 

[deleted user 837354]

See it as a massive opportunity. The whole industry is in need of more young blood. Sadly our business can’t take apprentice due to travel and nights away but would jump at chance if I could

Totally agree. If people can't even be arshed to take young folk on and pay them sub £5/hour then what is the point. Much better to train them to do a job, lot of hand holding and training and give them a decent wage from outset to focus the mind.

 

[neilo]

Totally agree. If people can't even be arshed to take young folk on and pay them sub £5/hour then what is the point. Much better to train them to do a job, lot of hand holding and training and give them a decent wage from outset to focus the mind.

I’m glad your farming business is in a position to pay a ‘decent wage from outset’ to young kids that may, or may not, be able to do anything useful, and very pleased that your business is so well sorted that you can spare the time for the ‘hand holding’ too.

It’s a useful start for some kids of course, but certainly not an Avenue that lots of small ag businesses that have been forced to cut expenses to the bone can follow though.

 

[deleted user 837354]

I’m glad your farming business is in a position to pay a ‘decent wage from outset’ to young kids that may, or may not, be able to do anything useful, and very pleased that your business is so well sorted that you can spare the time for the ‘hand holding’ too.

It’s a useful start for some kids of course, but certainly not an Avenue that lots of small ag businesses that have been forced to cut expenses to the bone can follow though.

I'm sorry Neil but this is a zero sum game. You can't expect young blood to work for a pittance when they can train to drive a ADT and get paid £16/hr with a bit of experience under their belts.

Industry needs to take a realistic look in the mirror and into the future and say, ok, what's the long term plan?