The government has published a guide to its reformed apprenticeships for schools.

The guidance, which includes an explanation of what apprenticeships are, which parts of the school sector are affected and how to choose a training provider if you want to offer apprenticeships, is aimed at school leaders and governing bodies in all schools in England, as well as local authorities, professional associations, unions and staff working with apprentices.

“Apprenticeships are a great way for schools to improve the skills base of their employees,” it says. “They are a tried and tested way to recruit new staff, and to retrain or upskill existing staff of all ages and levels of experience, in a wide variety of roles.”

Apprenticeships tailored for your school

The guidance adds: “You can use apprenticeships to provide training that is tailored to the needs and requirements of your school, with learning in the workplace, as well as through formal training, to minimise disruption and maximise impact.

“Schools should consider apprenticeships as part of strategic workforce planning, promoting a diverse and inclusive workforce and supporting recruitment and retention more widely.”

Schools should check if they are paying the levy - which is paid by all businesses with a payroll of over £3 million - and whether their school is in the scope of the public sector target, according to the government document. “If your school is part of a larger employer group (for example, if a local authority or multi-academy trust is the employer), get in contact to agree how to access available funds to spend on apprenticeships,” it adds.

Who has to pay the levy?

• For voluntary-aided and foundation schools, the governing body is the employer. If the governing body’s pay bill is more than £3 million then it will need to pay the levy.
• For community and voluntary controlled schools, the local authority is the employer, and so is responsible for payment of the apprenticeship levy for schools under their control. The local authority will advise its schools on whether they need to take account of the apprenticeship levy in their annual budgets. 
• For academies, including free schools and academies in multi-academy trusts (MATs), the trust is generally the employer of all the academies’ staff. If the trust’s pay bill is more than £3 million then it will need to pay the levy.
• If a school becomes a voluntary aided school, foundation school, free school or academy part of the way through a tax year, the academy’s governing body or trust will be responsible for the apprenticeship levy from this point.

What should schools consider when thinking about apprenticeships?

• Are other schools in your area already using apprenticeships, and, if so, what can you learn from them?
• What skills do your employees need now and in the future, and can apprenticeships help with this?
• How do the roles in your school fit with the apprenticeships currently available? A range of apprenticeships relevant to schools is either already available or currently under development. Schools are able to employ teacher apprentices from September 2018.