EAL takes steps to reduce industry Apprenticeship costs

Employers can save on the cost of registering new apprentices, thanks to Apprenticeship support packages launched by EAL, the specialist awarding organisation for industry qualifications.

The Specialist Industry Apprenticeship packages are designed to boost the number of staff trained on the job in engineering, manufacturing and logistics.  Each package features nationally recognised EAL qualifications, developed with professional bodies and businesses of all sizes to tackle industry-specific theory and practical skills.

Signing up for the EAL packages means employers and providers can save 10 per cent on learner registration fees.  The packages include free access to qualifications covering transferrable skills – such as teamwork, creative thinking and self-management – as well as industry employment rights and responsibilities.

EAL has also invested in its online systems to provide a new facility that halves the time it takes customers to register a new apprentice for their choice of qualifications.

Financial help and better processes have formed a key part of Government efforts to encourage more employers to support Apprenticeships.  As well as making it easier to advertise apprentice vacancies, the National Apprenticeship Service (NAS) recently launched an employer incentive for companies who have never taken on an apprentice before or have not been able to do so in the past year.  

Up to 40,000 grants worth £1,500 each are available to employers with up to 1,000 staff, to help them recruit 16 to 24 year olds onto Apprenticeship programmes.

Ann Watson, Managing Director of EAL said: “There’s no question that training apprentices offers a huge payoff for industry employers – not just in terms of skills, but also the motivation and commitment it breeds.  By simplifying the options and exploring new ways to reduce costs, we want to encourage more businesses to make that initial investment and reap the benefits for years to come.

“Many of EAL’s Product Specialists and External Verifiers began their own careers as apprentices in industry, which puts them in a great position to explain how Apprenticeships can work in practice to support all kinds of roles.  I’d encourage any employer or learning provider to take advantage of that expertise and start a conversation about building for the future.”