Government Announces Package to Boost Apprenticeships

Government announces package to boost apprenticeships- how to support the next generation of beauty therapists

When done well, apprenticeships can prove to bring nothing but positivity to a beauty business say the British Association of Beauty Therapy and Cosmetology (BABTAC).

Not only does an apprentice provide an increase in available treatment hours, but research shows that 64% of apprentices are likely to continue with the same employer once their apprenticeship is over while a whopping 80% remain in industry employment. To add to this, it’s an organic way to grow your business, as well as the people in it.

Benefits for all involved

There are also financial benefits; in England, apprenticeships receive up to a minimum of 95% of funding while businesses can use employer levy funds or reserved funds for non-levy paying employers. Under the new measures, large employers who pay the apprenticeship levy will be able to transfer up to 50% of their funds to support other businesses, including smaller firms, to take on apprentices. This will help SMEs hire more apprentices by reducing costs and enabling more employers to get the skilled workers they need while unlocking more opportunities for young people in a huge range of sectors, industries, and professions.

When it comes to employees, it’s not always easy to walk straight into a job and with apprenticeships open to applicants from aged 16 upwards it provides clear direction and motivation for those who know they want to pursue a career in the beauty, holistic and wellbeing industries. All apprenticeship vacancies in England are visible and posted on the National Apprenticeship Service, under find an apprenticeship.

The positive impact of learning on the job

Diane Hey, founder of the government-approved Armonia Training Academy and BABTAC Board Member, has championed the benefits of employment-ready training for the spa industry and has worked on several UK Government initiatives to raise and maintain standards for both trainees and employers.

“I’ve always wanted to furnish our apprentices with the things I learned on the job after my training, and what better way to learn than in a job,” explains Diane. “Our mission is to enable employers to develop thoughtful, empowered, highly skilled therapists and sector professionals that our industry so badly needs – this can be, and is, successfully achieved with apprenticeships.”

Providing structure and relevant business skills in a real working environment where new knowledge and behaviours can be applied, the apprenticeship route provides a comprehensive pathway for both apprentices and employers and is also a really good organic way to grow your business and the people in it.

Hands-on experience is invaluable, as is learning from peers, appreciating how a business runs from the bottom up and integrating with clients and guests day in, and day out.

“We’ve found that apprentices learn quickly and can apply that learning practically while also earning a wage,” says Diane. “Also, being able to showcase their ability and track their progress while learning and earning leads to personal development and greater workplace satisfaction.”

Hands-on experience is invaluable, as is learning from peers, appreciating how a business runs from the bottom up and integrating with clients and guests day in, day out. “We’ve found that apprentices learn quickly and can apply that learning practically while also earning a wage,” says Diane. “Also, being able to showcase their ability and track their progress while learning and earning leads to personal development and greater workplace satisfaction.”

*The England Model

• Apprentices can work for up to 40 paid hours a week but ideally work no less than 30 hours per week, they are not able to be employed for less than 16 hours per week.
• At a notional English level 2, for a beauty therapist make-up consultant or nail services technician, the apprenticeship would last a minimum of 12 months, for a beauty therapist it is typically 15 months, all English apprenticeships must last a minimum of 12 months before entering gateway and End Point Assessment. Off-the-job training (OTJ) must equate to 20% of employment and all evidence must be confirmed with the employer. Progression routes onto notional English level 3 continue with Holistic and Wellbeing Therapist apprenticeship standard or Advanced Beauty Therapy Standard. Apprenticeship standards can be located
• The endpoint assessment is accessed following successful achievement of the on-programme learning and entering gateway. It is graded Fail/Pass/Distinction for notional English level 2 and Fail/Pass/Merit/Distinction for the Holistic and Wellbeing Therapists and Advanced Beauty therapist, notional English Level 3
• On successful recruitment you as the employer would employ the apprentice, paying their wage and the government would fund their learning. This enables the Training Academy to deliver and support them through their beauty professional apprenticeship standard.
• The employer has to offer apprentices the same employment conditions as other employees working at similar grades or in similar roles.

^{*Devolved Nations operate variable models}