Funding elements of the NDT apprenticeships

More employers than ever are looking to put individuals through the BINDT NDT apprenticeship training programmes, with major organisations and small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) up and down the country either choosing to upskill existing staff or take on a new starter to pursue a career in NDT.

Hiring an apprentice is a productive and effective way to grow talent and develop a motivated, skilled and qualified workforce. Organisations can employ an apprentice at any age, from school leavers and university graduates to people who want to further their careers or change career direction completely. Being from Barnsley, I hear the term “How much?” quite often; however, this is very rare when it comes to discussing the cost of the NDT apprenticeship training programmes. I am pleased to say that the government has increased the cash incentives for employers who take on a new apprentice from 1 April 2021 to £3000, regardless of age, which is set to run until September 2021. This is in addition to the existing incentive programmes, such as the £1000 cash incentive for every 16-18 year-old apprentice enrolled or 100% funding for any learners aged 16-18 for any of the NDT apprenticeship programmes.

Here are a couple of examples to simplify the current funding opportunities:
If you take on a 16-18 year old and put them through any of the NDT apprenticeship training programmes you will not pay a penny for any of the training over the duration of their apprenticeship (including PCN, EN 4179 or CSWIP qualifications), plus you will receive £4000 in incentives if they are enrolled between April and September 2021.

If you are an SME and put an individual age 19+ through any of the NDT apprenticeship training programmes you will only have to pay 5% of the cost of the apprenticeship and you will still receive the £3000 cash incentive for recruiting a new apprentice.

If you are thinking of taking on an apprentice, then there are a few rules you must bear in mind. Here are the basics that you must be able to guarantee an apprentice:

A contract of employment
A wage of at least the National Minimum Wage for apprentices
A working environment that is compliant with health and safety requirements
Time to complete their training as set out in the training plan.

If you have any questions on the funding elements of the NDT apprenticeships, then please get in touch.

Please note that the views expressed in this column are those of the author and do not represent the views of Skills Training UK or BINDT.

Sam Cunningham is with Skills Training UK and is a member of BINDT’s Education & Professional Development Committee, which oversees the development of the NDT apprenticeships.

Employers in England looking to recruit an apprentice can find up-to-date guidance at: www.gov.uk/recruit-apprentice

Details of the current apprenticeship vacancies in England are available at: www.gov.uk/apply-apprenticeship

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