Apprenticeships in Automotive Glazing

Apprenticeships can help your business as you are investing in developing the practical skills your business will need in the years ahead.  Apprentices receive relevant training, specific to your business needs, so they can have an immediate effect and make a real contribution. As they are learning while they are earning as employees, they gain continuously from the skills and experience of others. Apprentices are highly motivated and committed to making a difference. The extra responsibility from being an employee makes them feel more valued. This improves loyalty and they are therefore easier to retain in the long term.

An Apprenticeship is a form of vocational training which allows an apprentice to earn while they learn. This is because they are employed. An Apprenticeship is a combination of both ‘on the job’ and ‘off the job’ training.

‘On the job’ means that an apprentice learns skills while they are employed under the guidance of a mentor who is a more experienced member of staff. ‘Off the job’ training requires an apprentice to spend time with a specialist training provider, IWA, so they can work towards the qualifications which make up the Apprenticeship.

The Apprenticeship framework contains the following elements, which are all certificated upon completion:

An Apprenticeship is completed usually in two years.

IWA works with the Glass Qualifications Authority (GQA) which is a qualifications awarding body and it issues the certificates that apprentices achieve.

What does it cost?

An apprentice is an employee and is paid a salary that reflects their skills, experience and age. From August 2009, the minimum salary payable is £95 per week.
Apprenticeships for 16-18 year olds are financed by the Learning and Skills Council, supplemented by a small employer contribution. The LSC provides IWA with funding towards the following:

Does it involve loads of paperwork?

No. There is a requirement to ensure that all the required assessments and records of evidence are compiled correctly and kept up-to-date but employers receive support and guidance on this process from the Assessor who would be assigned to the business to monitor an apprentice’s progress.
It’s important for the employer to give the apprentice an induction into their role and provide on the job training. Employers are also responsible for the wages of apprentices. You need to take your own legal advice in relation to your rights as an employer as an apprentice is classed the same as other employees.

How can I find an apprentice?

IWA can help you select, recruit and train the most suitable apprentices. Every employer must undergo a Health and Safety check prior to taking on an apprentice. This is standard procedure and we can facilitate this for you.

What’s in it for the apprentice?

Doing an Apprenticeship in Automotive Glazing means you can earn while you learn in a job which gives you ‘hands on’ experience in a skilled trade. Apprenticeships are designed by employers for employers, and there are lots of benefits.

You can start earning a salary from the age of 16. By the end of an Apprenticeship you will have been employed for two years already, giving you a great head start and helping you become more financially independent earlier in life.  At IWA, we aim to give apprentices ‘added value’ by providing additional training in glass repairs, use of razor wire and other techniques to give them a great head start.

Apprenticeships can be demanding but they are very rewarding. Because Apprenticeships train you in the skills employers want, they give you choices in your career which can lead to very attractive earnings potential.

Your employer or training provider will make sure you have a mentor. This is someone who will be responsible for you in the workplace and their job is to ensure that your training fits your personal requirements and that it meets all the standards. They will also be there to help you through any difficult times.

Our promise to you

IWA is committed to making Apprenticeships benefit both the individual and the employer. We make sure we fully understand your objectives and requirements before beginning the process of selecting the right person for your business. All applicants go through a rigorous selection process to test their commitment, technical aptitude and academic ability. This includes a series of tests and interviews before applicants are offered an interview with an employer.

IWA supports you every step of the way. We assist with finding and interviewing your apprentice and creating a training programme that meets both their needs and your needs as an employer. Once taken on as an employee, one of our team of assessors will visit you and your apprentice regularly to monitor progress, observe specific tasks being done in the workplace and plan future training.

If you’d like to find out more about the value of Apprenticeships and hear what others have to say, click on our Links page to go to the Government’s dedicated website on Apprenticeships.