APL Apprenticeships
APL Apprenticeship Webinars
October 3rd, 10th & 17th Hosted by Lee Price of Myerscough. 6-7pm
Find out all you need to know about the apprenticeship and how to get your apprentice on board with the first class apprenticeship scheme.
Use the link below
Myerscough Apprenticeship Webinar
Or if you can't attend and are looking to give your apprentice the best possible start in their landscape career, then take a look at the APL Apprenticeship.
Read through the info below and if interested contact Phil Tremayne at [email protected]
APL Apprenticeship.
THE APL LANDSCAPING APPRENTICESHIPS
For many years now The APL have worked with Myerscough College to deliver a high quality Landscaping apprenticeship programme.
It is a 2 year programme with 7 weeks block attendance at Myerscough College Preston Campus.
The programme is designed to meet the specialist needs of the Landscaping Industry. Each block or ‘bootcamp’ as we like to
call them see apprentices challenged in a wide range of skills with input industry experts.
Currently the practical sessions are being run by The Landscape Academy ensuring a consistent approach to the training and a commitment to ensure that all current legislation and standards are being taught.
Apprentices work towards the Level 2 Landscape Operative Apprenticeship programme, and also are encouraged to participate in the World Skills UK Landscaping competitions.
Myerscough College apprentices have achieved several gold medals in the competition, including a recent gold with Cameron Barker, who also became the Lancashire Apprentice of the Year and the APL rising star winner for 2022. Cameron has now gone on to own his own business in the region. CB Landscapes are now a pre accredited member of APL.
So What Makes It Different?
A lot of people ask, "What makes The APL Apprenticeship different to any other"
The simple answer is practical training. The curriculum and modules are exactly the same as any other level 2 apprenticeship. But what The APL have done is increase the level of practical training away from the standard amount that an be delivered in a day release.
When cohorts attend the week long sessions, they will be tutored by The Landscape Academy.
They are taken through the process of setting out, understanding drainage and falls, through to paving using all types of frequently used materials, driveways, walling, retaining walls, gabions, self binding gravels, gravelled grid systems, decking, fencing, water features, lighting, planting, plant partnerships and much, much more.
They are delivered in compliance with British Standards and APL Codes of Practice and importantly trained at industry pace.
Feed back to employers is provided by APL following each session.
The bootcamp sessions are from 8.30am until 5pm, with extra sessions on the evening for industry talks from people like ACO, Makita, Matt Spedding and Mark Gregory.
This is why the programme is different.
What’s an apprenticeship?
An Apprenticeship is recognised as the gold standard for work-based training for new and existing staff
members. It is a teaching, learning and assessment programme designed to develop an apprentice’s
knowledge and skills and is delivered both in the workplace and in off the job workshops at Myerscough
College, Preston over a 20-month period.
Who can apply?
• A staff member already employed who, if not already, will need to be contracted to work a minimum of 30 hours per week, throughout the year. This person must not have already completed a similar qualification at Level 2.
• A new recruit, employed into the business to begin their career in landscaping.
VERY IMPORTANT – APPRENTICES CANNOT ALREADY HAVE ANY QUALIFICATION IN HORTICULTURE AT LEVEL 2 OR ABOVE.
How long does it take?
The Apprenticeship programme will be delivered over a maximum 24-month timeframe but must be at least 20 months. We would recommend 20 months as an appropriate length of time for Apprentices to complete this course.
Why choose the APL Apprenticeship Programme?
Industry standard:
• The APL Apprenticeship Programme has been designed by the industry for the industry.
• It has joined together industry, education and training expertise.
• It will focus on industry quality standards and work pace.
• It will be delivered by tutors/trainers who are technically excellent and industry experienced.
• The service will be continually quality assured by the APL team.
Intensive delivery:
• It will incorporate 7 x 1 week long residential Bootcamps that will focus on particular technical
areas in an APL authorised delivery centre.
• On-line learning access will be provided to support apprentices learning.
• Employees’ productivity and confidence will be increased, delivering a more efficient and
effective employee, quickly.
• It will use the latest equipment to support delivery, working with APL partners to source this.
• Exposure to industry leaders/champions, inspiring apprentices to aim high.
Supportive:
• Employer engagement will be strong throughout from recruitment through to completion and recognition.
• E-portfolio access for both apprentice and employer to utilise. Apprentice can upload work
evidence against the learning programme and the employer can see progression of their employee whenever they need.
• Apprentice, employer and Tutor will meet every 12 weeks to discuss progression and support planning.
• The Bootcamps will be residential at Myerscough College with the provision of accommodation and support staff on site.
Core Qualifications Delivered as part of the course.
The following qualifications will be required prior to taking the end point assessments:
• Emergency First Aid
• Pesticides: Level 2 Principals of the Safe Handling and Application or Pesticides OR Level 2 Award in the Safe Use of Pesticides
• Abrasive Wheels Training
Bootcamps will be delivered at Myerscough College:
Intake December 2023
Contracts of employment for a newly recruited apprentice (i.e not already a staff member) will need to be in place by the end of August 2022. Ideally a new employee should have worked in your business for
a month as a minimum before the first block begins.
The below dates are for new apprentices for the first year.
It is expected that the apprentices will arrive on the Sunday prior to the course commencing at 08:30hrs on the Monday morning
Block Week 1 Monday 4th December 2023
Block Week 2 Monday 5th February 2024
Block Week 3 Monday 13th May 2024
Block Week 4 Monday 16th September 2024
Block Week 5 Monday 13th January 2025
Block Week 6 Monday 14th April 2025
Block Week 7 Monday 2nd June 2025 (Mock End Point Assessment)
Employer’s financial investment
The apprenticeship costs can be broken down as follows and will be dependent upon the age of the person you employ.
Employer Costs
Businesses will need to contribute the following amounts in support of delivery of this apprenticeship:
For Apprentices aged 16-18, the Employer Contribution is £2,500
For Apprentices aged 19+, the Employer Contribution is £2,750 which includes the mandatory 5% contribution for small employers
A Payment Plan can be discussed on a case-by-case basis. Please speak to our finance team once you receive the invoiced cost. (Normally around 6 weeks after starting)
These contributions also include the costs of all accommodation and all meals whilst on the block training weeks at Myerscough College.
As part of the initial sign-up process employers will be required to set up a Digital Apprenticeship Account in order for Myerscough College to access the core funding of course fees for the programme
via the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA).
The additional employer contributions are to cover the additional costs associated with running the boot camps and also an age based contribution for Apprentices aged 19+ who receive significantly reduced funding from the ESFA.
Apprenticeship Pay
Current rates
These rates are for the National Living Wage (for those aged 21 and over) and the National Minimum Wage (for those of at least school leaving age). The rates change on 1 April every year.
| 21 and over | 18 to 20 | Under 18 | Apprentice | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| April 2024 | £11.44 | £8.60 | £6.40 | £6.40 |
Apprentices
Apprentices are entitled to the apprentice rate if they’re either:
- aged under 19
- aged 19 or over and in the first year of their apprenticeship
Example
An apprentice aged 21 in the first year of their apprenticeship is entitled to a minimum hourly rate of £6.40.
Apprentices are entitled to the minimum wage for their age if they both:
- are aged 19 or over
- have completed the first year of their apprenticeship
Example
An apprentice aged 21 who has completed the first year of their apprenticeship is entitled to a minimum hourly rate of £11.44.
Apprenticeship Levy
Apprenticeship Funding for SMEs?
Smaller organisations with an annual payroll bill of less than £3 million per year receive 95% of the cost of apprenticeship training from the government for employees aged 22 + and 100% of the cost for employees aged 16-21 (New mandate from 1st April 2024). There is currently no limit to the number of employees that an SME can upskill using apprenticeship funds.
All employers benefit from NOT having to pay Employers National Insurance contributions for employees – if they are doing an apprenticeship and are aged 16-24.
In addition, employers receive £1000 if they enrol an employee aged 16-18 onto an apprenticeship.
These government incentives are designed to help employers upskill their whole workforce, raise productivity levels and drive the growth of the UK economy.
The Apprentice Academy have a dedicated team focused on helping organisations understand and make the best use of the apprenticeship funding available to them.
For mor information go to Gov website HERE
Or you can email Lee Price at Myerscough who will be happy to talk you through the process.