ACT was founded in Cardiff in 1988 and has gone on to become Wales’ leading training provider, supporting businesses looking to upskill their workforce.
To date, we have worked with more than 14,000 employers helping 75,000 learners to achieve their career goals.
We offer fully-funded, work-based learning in everything from social media and Green skills for business to business administration and data analytics. There are also opportunities to bring new talent into your organisation through hiring an apprentice or our Jobs Growth Wales + placements.
What are Apprenticeships?
In short, Apprenticeships are work-based training programmes designed around the needs of your business, which lead to nationally recognised qualifications for your employees.
Wales has a highly successful Apprenticeship Programme, focused on providing great training and the right skills pathways and levels of support to help achieve economic durability.
If you’re looking to invigorate your workforce or bring a whole new perspective to your team, apprenticeships can provide a fresh set of skills for employees and, in turn, give your operations a boost.
The benefits to your business
We all know that Apprenticeships make sense, but did you know that the advantages they bring to your business are enormous?
Apprenticeships deliver real returns to your bottom line, helping you improve productivity and be more competitive. Training Apprentices can also be more cost-effective than hiring skilled staff, leading to lower overall training and recruitment costs.
Apprenticeships deliver skills designed around your business needs, providing the skilled workers you need now and for the future. They also help you develop the specialist skills you need to keep pace with the latest technology and working practices in your sector.
Apprentices tend to be eager, motivated, flexible and loyal to the company that invested in them. Remember, an Apprentice is with you because they want to be – they have made an active choice to learn on the job and commit to a specific career.
The mixture of on and off-the-job learning ensures that an Apprentice learns the skills that work best for your business. Benefits that Apprentices can bring to your business include increased productivity and improved skills, knowledge and qualifications.
The best bit though is that funding is available. Whilst you the employer pay your Apprentice a wage, funding is available to cover the whole cost of the Apprentice’s training.
A bit about you…
Whether you’re an SME, a large conglomerate or self-employed, if you operate in Wales, we want to hear from you about your training and upskilling needs.
Work-based apprenticeships can offer different opportunities for different companies, whether that’s providing a base level of training for all staff in courses such as Digital Skills or ensuring those in specific roles within your business are up-to-date and highly knowledgeable when it comes to their specialism.
There is also the opportunity to bring new talent into your business through apprenticeships, or even our Jobs Growth Wales + placements. This helps a new generation of workers learn the skills of your industry, gaining the knowledge needed for a mutually beneficial venture – you get a passionate and enthusiastic employee, the learner gets the support needed to succeed in their dream role.
Apprenticeships are not limited to specific sectors or specific levels of experience; courses are designed to get the most from learners whatever their industry or capabilities.
- Apprenticeships are for everyone! From school leavers and university graduates to individuals who want to further their careers or change career direction completely
- You can hire someone new as an Apprentice, or simply access Apprenticeship funding and qualifications to upskill existing employees
- Apprentices are employees within a company and are paid at least the National Apprenticeship Minimum Wage
- Apprenticeships are available at four different levels:
Foundation Apprenticeship (Level 2)
Apprenticeship (Level 3)
Higher Apprenticeship (Level 4 and Level 5)
Degree Apprenticeship (Level 6)
- On average, an Apprenticeship takes 12 to 18 months to complete
- As an employer, you can access Welsh Government funding to help pay for Apprenticeship training.
- Apprenticeships form an important part of the Welsh Government’s Young Person’s Guarantee for 16-24 year olds.
- Help you choose the right Apprenticeship route and level for your business
- Help you recruit an Apprentice or support your existing staff into Apprenticeships
- Agree a training plan with your Apprentice
- Manage the training and evaluation, ensuring that national quality standards are met
- Design and deliver bespoke and integrated training
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Funding solutions for employers
At ACT we have extensive expertise in researching and accessing funding solutions for businesses, including nationally recognised qualifications and apprenticeships. Many of our clients benefit from solutions which attract 100% funding assistance. As part of the Cardiff and Vale College group, we have access to over £90 million in funding. Together, we offer unique training packages designed to equip Welsh employers and their employees with vital sector-specific skills.
Welsh businesses of all sizes and across all sectors are eligible for apprenticeship funding.
ACT will support with the training that falls under the apprenticeship programme. The apprenticeships are fully-funded by Welsh Government and we are here to ensure you utilise this funding opportunity to grow and develop your business.
All apprentices have monthly meetings with their Assessors to keep track of their progress. The qualifications are designed to be flexible to minimise disruption to your business
As an apprentice employer you are responsible for paying the apprentice’s salary and the cost of any additional training they need to complete their daily job role.
Employers don’t pay Class 1 National Insurance contributions for apprentices under 25 up to the Upper Secondary Threshold (£967 per week) and are exempt from the National Insurance increase as long as the apprentice is on an approved UK apprenticeship framework or standard, and working towards a recognised qualification (which all Welsh Apprenticeship Frameworks are).
For example a Welsh SME could save 13.8% of a young person’s gross annual salary by investing in apprenticeships.
Understanding the UK Apprenticeship Levy and Maximising its Potential in Wales
The Apprenticeship Levy is a UK-wide tax introduced by the UK Government in 2017 to encourage investment in apprenticeships by businesses. Its purpose is to address the skills gap, providing both employers and employees with the opportunity to develop and grow through work-based training courses and professional development.
The Apprenticeship Levy applies to all UK employers, including Wales, with an annual pay bill of £3 million or more and is charged at 0.5% of your annual pay bill. However, employers in Wales are not able to access the funding pot directly to support their apprenticeship and training programmes. This is where ACT can support you, as an approved Welsh Government training provider, we can work with you to draw down the most appropriate funding for your skills needs.
Whether a levy paying organisation or not, by working with ACT, employers can:
- Understand skill needs and maximise budgets. ACT will work with you to undertake an audit of the skills and training needs in your business, and help you maximise the funding available
- Upskill existing staff. Offering apprenticeship opportunities to current employees ensures ongoing development, improving productivity and job satisfaction.
- Attract new talent. Apprenticeships are a great way to bring fresh talent into your business, often tailored to your specific industry needs.
- Sourcing apprenticeships that meet business needs. By selecting courses that align with your industry needs, employers can ensure the training directly benefits business operations.
- Stay updated with new funding opportunities. We can offer guidance on available funding and Levy options, helping businesses make informed decisions about training investments.
For further information, visit the UK Government’s Apprenticeship Levy page
Interested in finding out more? Get in touch!
If you’re ready to search for your next Apprentice, have a member of staff looking to upskill, or simply want to find out more about our Apprenticeship programme, get in touch with our team today.