Apprenticeship Schemes

Transport and Logistics Apprenticeships

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Upskilling existing staff through Apprenticeships

One of the best ways to upskill your staff force is through modern apprenticeships. Apprenticeships are still considered to be for young people leaving full time education. The reality is that modern apprenticeships are for all, including existing staff.

Staff that enter apprenticeships understand that their employer is investing in them, and this nurtures a stronger employee and employer relationship, leading to increased loyalty.

As apprenticeships generally have a progressive format, you can see your staff develop from junior managers to senior leaders through apprenticeship learning.

The Apprenticeship Levy

The Apprenticeship Levy is a contribution made by employers that have an annual staff salary bill in excess of £3 million pounds.

A Levy paying business will make a monthly contribution, and this is applied to the businesses Levy Pot allowing the business priority access to their contribution.. The individual contribution has a 24-month window for the business to access it. When that expires, the money is absorbed into the National Levy Fund.

Businesses that contribute to the Levy, can access apprenticeships for 100% funding providing they have sufficient funds in their pot. If a business uses all of the funds it has contributed, they can still access the levy fund for 95% funding with a 5% paid contribution.

If a business is a Non-Levy paying employer, they can access that National Levy Fund and apply for 95% funding towards the apprenticeship. This allows smaller businesses the opportunity to access funds to educate and upskill their staff. If the potential apprentice is under 22 years of age, the small business can access 100% funding.

They Levy is a fund that is generally considered a shadow tax. Employers rarely understand how to access this funding and how beneficial it can be for the purpose of investing in their people.

Apprenticeship Responsibilities

Employing and training an apprentice is a tripartite relationship, each party holds a unique set of responsibilities in order for the apprenticeship to be a success.

Employer Responsibilities

Signing the apprenticeship agreement and ensuring the apprentice has a copy
Liaising with SP Training to ensure the apprentice has the opportunity to cover all aspects of the training plan
Ensuring that the apprentice has the time to complete their Off The Job training (OTJ) during normal working hours
Working in collaboration with SP Training to resolve any concerns or complaints
Ensuring the apprentice has a safe and healthy environment in which to work
Attending an end of apprenticeship review
Supporting the apprentice through Gateway and End Point Assessment

SP Training of Carlisle, Cumbria put two new Scania vehicles on the road in partnership with Stobart Group, Yodel and Scania ( Great Britain ) Ltd

SP Training Responsibilities

To provide a detailed individual learning plan for the apprentice and employer
To discuss the training plan with apprentice and employer making sure it accounts for any recognised prior learning, maths and English requirements and any additional support that may be required
Providing the learner and employer with start and end dates for training
Explaining how the OTJ will be delivered and recorded
Explaining how the End Point Assessment will be assessed
Taking responsibility for scheduling regular progress reviews with all parties
Making sure any concerns or complaints are delt with appropriately in line with company policy

Apprentice Responsibilities

Reading and signing the apprenticeship agreement
Discussing training needs with the employer and SP Training
Informing the employer and SP Training of any learning or health needs they have
Completing OTJ and recording in line with the training plan
Explaining how the End Point Assessment will be assessed
Attending all training sessions, completing learning activities and assignments
Taking part in the 12 weekly progress reviews

Apprenticeship Structure

All apprenticeships are made up of several key components and are based around the industry relevant knowledge, skill’s and behaviours (KSB’S) that are set out within the standard. These are all specifically tailored to ensure each apprentice receives the training necessary to succeed and grow within their job role.

Institute For Apprenticeships

The apprenticeship can be broken down into distinct steps:

Information advice and guidance

Employers and apprentices will receive specific information on the apprenticeship path that has been selected, this will help you to understand the length of the programme, the entry requirements, the training plan that will be put in place and the 20% off the job training requirement.

OTJ explained
Off-the-job training is a statutory requirement for an English apprenticeship.
Definition: It is training which is received by the apprentice within their practical period, during the apprentice’s normal working hours, for the purpose of achieving the knowledge, skills and behaviours of the apprenticeship they are undertaking.
By normal working hours we mean the hours for which the apprentice would normally be paid, excluding overtime.
The minimum volume of off-the-job training for any apprentice is 278 hours and this applies to all apprenticeship standards with a typical duration of 12 months. If the apprenticeship is over a longer duration the additional hours must be calculated accurately eg. If the apprenticeship training period is 18 months long the OTJ will be 278 / 2 = 139 + the original 278 = 417.
OTJ includes the following:
• Attending tutor led workshops to develop knowledge and theory.
• Online learning activities set in our interactive online platform (OLLIE)
• Practical training in the workplace
• Shadowing
• Mentoring
• Time spent researching and writing assignments
Initial Assessment, enrolment, ongoing learning and support

Learners who can not evidence their Maths and English grades, or, who have grades lower than the entry requirements will sit a short assessment before being enrolled and the commitment statement being signed. They will receive their individual training plan detailing scheduled teaching sessions, log in’s to our interactive online learning platform and details of the support they will receive throughout the programme delivery.
Monitoring progress

All learners will have review meetings on a 12 weekly basis, these will be conducted with the tutor, workplace mentor and apprentice present.
Gateway preparation

The apprentice will have a scheduled meeting with the tutor and workplace mentor as they approach the end of the training plan, this is to ensure that they are ready for the end point assessment and all the KSB’s have been covered. At this point further professional development will be highlighting additional apprenticeships that would further career development.

Gateway takes place before an EPA can start, each apprenticeship may have a different Gateway period depending on the content of the EPA eg. An EPA that consists of an observation with question and answers and a portfolio of evidence with a professional discussion will be approximately 8 weeks where as an apprenticeship with a case study and report may have a Gateway of up to 6 months. Details of each EPA and Gateway period can be found in Apprenticeship Categories.
In order to progress through Gateway the apprentice must meet the minimum criteria out line below.
• display occupational competency
• have evidence of or pass functional skill levels in English and maths
• complete mandatory training
• take any qualifications set out in the standard
• meet the minimum duration for their apprenticeship training

The employer and SP Training will review the apprentice’s knowledge, skills and behaviours to see if they have met the minimum requirements set out in the apprenticeship standard and are ready to take the assessment before submission to Gateway
End Point Assessment

End-point assessment (EPA) is the final stage of an apprenticeship. It is an impartial assessment of whether your apprentice has developed the skills, knowledge and behaviours outlined in the apprenticeship standard.
EPA’s are designed carefully by the awarding body to ensure the apprentice has developed all of the knowledge, skills and behaviours required to fulfil the job role competently.
This means that depending on the level and content of the apprenticeship the EPA’s content and expectations will differ.
Full details on the EPA schedule for each apprenticeship can be found in Apprenticeship Categories.
Achievement!

So, what’s next?
Our apprenticeships are designed so apprentices can continue on their chosen professional development path and gain further qualifications, knowledge and skills in order to better support their career and your business.

Apprenticeship Qualifications

At SP Training we ensure that we work with industry leaders and experts in order to provide the highest quality training and accreditation throughout all of our apprenticeships.
These include, but are not limited to Skills for Logistics and CMI. Both of which are leaders within their field.

The Chartered Management Institute (CMI) works with business and education to inspire people to become skilled, confident and successful managers and leaders. CMI is backed by a unique Royal Charter, they are the only organisation that can award Chartered Manager status – the ultimate management accolade.

We partner with CMI for the following:

Level 3 Certificate Principles of Leadership and Management
Level 3 Diploma Principles of Leadership and Management
Level 5 Diploma Principles of Leadership and Management
Level 3 Team Leader Apprenticeship including Diploma in Principles of Leadership and Management
Level 5 Operations or Departmental Manager Apprenticeship including Diploma in Principles of Leadership and Management

Skills for Logistics aims to address the skills gap within the logistics industry. They are the largest sector specialist organisation with an extensive customer base, enjoying a 25% market share in logistics apprenticeship assessments working with the largest training providers and employers in the country, and specialising in logistics, transport, supply chain, and procurement.
Skills for Logistics provides unrivalled, quality-approved support to apprentices, employers, and training providers throughout the End-Point Assessment process.
End-Point Assessments are delivered by VTCT, a government-registered End-Point Assessment Organisation (EPAO).

We partner with Skills for Logistics and VCTC as their awarding body for the following:

Supply Chain Warehouse Operative
Warehouse Operations Supervisor
Transport Operations Supervisor
Large Good Vehicle/Urban Driver/Passenger Carrying Vehicle

Apprenticeship Categories

We deliver a range of apprenticeships varying from Level 2 up to Level 5 over four key employment areas including, Logistics driver training, Leadership and Management, Warehouse and Transport.

We have been delivering apprenticeships successfully for over 20 years and are continuously developing our delivery options based on industry requirements and requests from the employers that we work with.

Apprenticeships are designed not only to introduce new staff to your business but to develop and train existing employees and offer career progression within the company.

Apprenticeships can support your business to grow and develop a skilled workforce by aligning training to your specific business needs, boosting staff loyalty and motivation.

Warehouse Apprenticeships

Supply Chain Warehouse Operative Level 2
Warehouse Operations Supervisor Level 3 with CMI level 3 Principles of Leadership and Management Certificate Combined

Full details of available Warehouse Apprenticeships

Transport Apprenticeships

Transport Operations Supervisor with Management CPC Combined and optional CMI level 3 Principles of Leadership and Management Certificate Combined

Full details of available Transport Operations Supervisor

Logistics Apprenticeships

LGV (Large Goods Vehicle)
Urban Driver
PCV (Passenger Carrying Vehicle)

Full details of available Driver Apprenticeships

Leadership And Management Apprenticeships

Team leader Level 3 with CMI Level 3 Principles of Leadership and Management Diploma Combined

Contact

If you have any question or would like to enquire about the role of apprenticeships in your business/company, please call us or complete the form and one of our expert advisors will assist you.

SP Training
Helvellyn Building
Carlisle Airport Business Park
Carlisle
CA6 4NW