The benefits of employing an apprentice in the Marine industry

By Paul Knox-Johnston Sales & Marketing Manager

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The practice of employing apprentices is widely recognised as a vital tool in bridging the skills gap in the marine industry. Apprenticeships enable businesses to harness new talent, expand their workforce, and address the shortage of skilled professionals, whilst creating unique employment opportunities with on-the-job training and development, for a new generation of marine professionals.

Marine businesses across the UK regularly partner with local education providers to help recruit their apprentices. A typical apprenticeship is around two years, but can vary between one to four years, depending on the job role and the marine industry sector. A combination of on-the-job training and off-site qualifications means that apprentices can contribute to the workforce almost immediately, with larger organisations often pairing apprentices with qualified mentors in their chosen trades, ensuring practical training is complemented by formal instruction.

For marine businesses of all sizes, there are significant advantages to taking on apprentices, with studies finding that the completion of apprenticeships can increase business productivity by hundreds of pounds each week.

The benefits of employing an apprentice extend far beyond improved productivity, with employers able to develop and train a skilled workforce to suit the specific needs of their business. Apprenticeships act as a more cost-effective solution to employing additional staff whilst also providing opportunities for existing staff to be transferred onto apprentice schemes to upskill and grow talent.

Apprenticeships are suitable for people of all ages and levels, including school leavers, university graduates, and those looking to progress their career or for a change of direction, this mix of untapped talent can often bring a fresh perspective and new ideas into the business. For the prospective apprentices, the idea of working and studying can be an attractive proposition, with less debt and a much more defined career path.

One of the major advantages of hiring an apprentice in the marine industry is the financial benefits it can bring to a business. By employing apprentices, marine businesses can hire new staff at a cost-effective salary level and train them for a long-term career. The government provides funding for apprenticeship training, and incentive payments are available to employers of 16-18-year-old apprentices or 19-24-year-old apprentices with an Education, Health and Care plan.

Additionally, employers of apprentices aged under 25 can apply for exemption from payment of secondary Class 1 National Insurance contributions. Businesses with a salary bill of more than £3 million per year are required to contribute to the apprenticeships levy. The levy is charged at a rate of 0.5% of the annual salary bill, with an allowance of £15,000 to offset against the levy required. If a marine business is required to contribute to the apprenticeships levy, they can use it to upskill employees within the company, and a proportion of the funds can be transferred to other companies within the supply chain.

It is important to note that when hiring an apprentice, marine businesses need to be aware of the relevant employment laws. The minimum wage must be paid, and the apprenticeship must last for at least a year. An initial agreement must be signed, detailing the training plan and apprenticeship content and schedule, including the amount of off-the-job training that the apprentice will receive. The agreement will also detail the skill, trade, or occupation the apprentice is being trained for, as well as what the employer is expecting and offering.

Generally, apprentices are employed under the statutory apprenticeship scheme, which provides greater flexibility for employers in the marine industry to take them on. Under this scheme, if the employer has a concern about the apprentice’s performance or conduct, the apprenticeship can be ended, as long as the usual employment laws are followed. As most apprenticeships are less than two years in length, the apprentice will not have the required two years’ service to bring an unfair dismissal claim.

While traditional ‘training’ apprenticeships can be offered without recognised frameworks or standards, they do not receive government funding, and the employer will have to fund the entire cost of the training. Alternatively, employers who do not want to hire and train an apprentice themselves can use a flexi-job apprenticeship agency. Under this scheme, the apprentice will be recruited and employed by the agency and placed with the host business for the duration of the apprenticeship. Flexi-job apprenticeships are commonly used by businesses that often use short-term contracts.

Overall, apprenticeships are a worthwhile investment, providing marine businesses with a cost-effective way to develop a skilled and motivated workforce while closing the skills gap in the industry. For apprentices, it offers the opportunity to acquire valuable skills and recognised experience through a combination of on-the-job training and formal qualifications to establish a long-term career within the industry.

While undoubtedly there are benefits for marine businesses in employing apprentices, Government figures also show that nearly half those starting an apprenticeship do not finish their training.

The majority of these non-completers reported that personal or domestic factors contributed to their non-completion, such as a job or career change, mental health issues or caring responsibilities.

In the latest Government survey, some apprentices also reported that they were not given enough time for learning and training, the training was not as good as they had hoped, and the apprenticeship was badly run or poorly organised, highlighting the importance of creating apprenticeship opportunities that are high quality and well organised.

However, taking all these factors into consideration, the numerous benefits associated with apprenticeships and the continuous demand for skilled professionals in the marine industry, makes them an increasingly popular choice for marine businesses.

For more information about apprenticeships visit gov.uk

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