More and more employers today are waking up to the benefits of apprenticeships. This can either be employing a new member of staff as an apprentice or encouraging an existing employee to further their career by taking up an apprenticeship.
An apprenticeship allows individuals to study for a work-based qualification that will markedly improve their earning potential and career satisfaction. It also provides benefits for the employer. Apprenticeships deliver the skilled workers of the future. They ensure that the skills developed by employees are matched to the company’s future needs. This feeds any skills gaps and provides businesses with a source of future managers and leaders from within. Employees who have been trained in-house tend to be highly motivated, committed to the company and supportive of its business objectives.
Why should a company consider involvement in degree apprenticeships?
Employers with an annual wages bill of more than £3 million already contribute to the Apprenticeship Levy. It seems logical therefore for companies to maximise the benefits they can from a service they are already paying for.
Combining on-the-job training with off-the-job learning, higher and degree apprenticeships are a technical alternative to university degrees. Apprentices learn practical skills alongside academic knowledge, and consequently tend to make the most productive employees.
The current apprenticeship programs are designed by businesses for businesses, so apprentices develop the specific skills and knowledge they need to progress in their occupation. This is what happened with the Clinical Trials Specialist apprenticeship, which was devised and delivered by a consortium of partner organisations deeply embedded in the UK pharmaceutical industry.
- Clinical Trials Specialist apprentices will perform actual jobs and make a real difference from day one – adding value back into the industry.
- Clinical Trials Specialist apprentices bring fresh ideas into the workplace, helping the rest of the team reflect on how they get things done.
- Clinical Trials Specialist apprentices learn the specific skills they need to work in their business. Compare this to spending 3 – 4 years on a generic science degree; they would instead be learning how to make a contribution to their new employer.
- Clinical Trials Specialist apprentices are highly skilled recruits who will form the next generation of your workforce and take your business forward.
How does the apprenticeship levy work?
Employers with an annual pay bill of more than £3 million contribute to the Apprenticeship Levy fund. Contributors are allowed to access this fund to pay Government-approved education providers for specific training courses that meet with a national-agreed standard for a particular job role.
In addition to the amount paid into the account, the Government applies a 10% top up on funds, meaning that for every £1 paid in, the employer gets £1.10 to spend on apprentice training. Smaller non-contributing employers can draw from the Apprenticeship Fund without cost to themselves.
What kind of commitment do I need to make to an apprentice?
Apprentices have the same rights as other employees. Employers who take on an apprentice are required to pay their wages and provide appropriate work release for study, currently mandated at 20% study within working hours. They are entitled to a contract of employment and a minimum of 20 days paid leave each year, plus bank holidays. You can expect an apprentice to work at least 30 hours per week but they must be allowed to undertake part-time study, which may be conducted through a mixture of day/block release, distance and e-learning.
What does my organisation gain by taking on an apprentice?
Traditionally, employees in the pharmaceutical industry have degrees in pure scientific disciplines not directly related to the skills required for the day-to-day roles they perform. The Clinical Trials Specialist Degree Apprenticeship ensures that the skills developed are matched to the company’s current operational practices and future needs in roles associated with clinical operations. This will serve to bring diversity into their organisation while building skills and business insight for the future.
Employees who have been trained in-house tend to be highly motivated, committed to the company and supportive of its business objectives. An apprenticeship encourages employees to think of their job as a career and to stay with the company for longer, which reduces recruitment costs. According to data from the National Apprenticeship Service, 92% of companies that have taken on apprentices believe this leads to a more motivated and satisfied workforce and 80% have seen a significant increase in employee retention. However, hiring an apprentice does not require you to have a role set aside for them when they qualify, though it is highly likely that having trained and worked with the individual for 5 years they will be filling your next vacancy.
High-value employees often find their time is taken up by smaller tasks when they should be concentrating on their key areas of work. Delegating these basic jobs to an apprentice allows them to learn and take responsibility, while freeing up the time of your more experienced staff. Better allocation of work can make your business more productive.
Apprentices often bring a fresh approach and a positive attitude into the workplace, which can have a knock-on effect on existing staff. The average age of an apprentice is lower than the general age of employment in the pharmaceutical industry, effectively providing an injection of youth. As apprentices come from a range of backgrounds – including high-caliber candidates who do not want the costs of going to university – they can bring fresh insight into your business activities.
Finally, a company that is willing to invest in people by supporting apprenticeships is showing a positive approach to Corporate Social Responsibility, which is good for attracting both customers and future high-quality staff.
What do I need to get involved?
If you are already contributing to the apprenticeship levy you should have access to the digital account and your finance department should be familiar with the portal. Contact your Human Resources department to talk to them about their Apprenticeship Strategy and how they plan to draw on the levy. You can also contact the Clinical Trials Specialist apprenticeship group for more information here.
When does the program start?
The CTS program has already started and students are already engaged in programmes within the industry. Employers should consider getting into local colleges early in the academic year to inform the best candidates of opportunities within your company. The degree component can strata any time but traditionally aligns with the September university intake. However it can start at any time of the year. Alternatively, you can advertise placements on our website here.You can advertise placements on our website here.
Where do I get more information?
You can register your interest for updates, information and any developments on our contact page at http://www.clintrials-specialist.co.uk/contact