The Met Quarterly | Issue 2

THE MET QUARTERLY A new newsletter for employers in the Liverpool City Region

WHAT'S INSIDE? National Apprenticeship Week 2022 Sector spotlight on Life Sciences Meet the apprentice, Caitlin Sullivan Nominations open for Apprentice of the Year 2022 Top tips to support your apprentice Supported Internship success for Cameron The Apprenticeship Levy Transfer explained

February 2022

NATIONAL APPRENTICESHIP WEEK - TOP TIPS TO SUPPORT YOUR APPRENTICE PAGE 4

SECTOR SPOTLIGHT: THE LIFE SCIENCES PAGE 6

APPRENTICE SPOTLIGHT -CAITLIN SULLIVAN PAGE 5

WORK EXPERIENCE OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUR BUSINESS PAGE 7

SUPPORTED INTERN LANDS A JOB AT JACKSONS PAGE 6

PROMOTION FOR NHS APPRENTICE PAGE 7

APPRENTICE OF THE YEAR NOMINATIONS NOW OPEN PAGE 8

BOOK A TABLE AT OUR NEW FINE DINING RESTAURANT PAGE 8

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT COURSES FOR YOUR STAFF

LATEST APPRENTICESHIP LEVY TRANSFER RULES EXPLAINED PAGE 9

PAGES 10 - 11

Got a story to want to get featured?

Email your ideas to employer.services@wmc.ac.uk

Top tips for supporting your apprentice in the workplace mentor.

1

Provide your apprentice with a This person will be instrumental in developing the apprentice’s confidence and to reduce any anxiety they may have about asking ‘silly’ questions. The mentor will also benefit by developing their coaching and mentoring skills.

2

Provide regular to support their development. Set clear goals and review progress towards achievement of these goals on a monthly basis.

3

Be alert to any support needs your apprentice has, such as caring responsibilities, financial pressures or mental health issues. You can signpost your apprentice to the through the student and apprentice Intranet. Additional learning support is also available for apprentices from Wirral Met.

4

feedback and encouragement

wealth of support available

here to help!

We are You don’t have to wait until a Progress Review with the apprentice and their Trainer Assessor to raise any concerns you may have – get in touch with us straight away.

Kuba Matusiak is an Accounts and Finance Assistant Apprentice for Caffe Cream in New Brighton.

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Apprentice spotlight: Caitlin Sullivan Caitlin Sullivan embarked on her apprenticeship journey in 2019 after securing a politics degree from the University of York. We chat to Caitlin about why she chose this route and her exciting next career chapter...

Hi Caitlin, what made you chose an apprenticeship as your next steps after university?

Upon graduating I was really concerned about my graduate prospects. The question of ‘getting a graduate scheme’ became the golden question and it ruled my third year experience.

When I moved back home to the Wirral after graduating, and amidst the flurry of job-hunting, I found the apprenticeship scheme with Wirral Borough Council and I felt like it would open a lot of doors for me.

Having just graduated with a degree in politics, I wanted to work in the field in some capacity.

The scheme offered me the best opportunity to do so whilst staying at home, earning money and gaining crucial experience. I certainly fell on my feet with landing a place on the scheme, and it was the best decision I could’ve made at the time.

What did your apprenticeship involve?

My apprenticeship was in the Finance and Investment division as an apprentice accountant.

Embarking on an accountancy qualification was the greatest skill I learnt throughout my time as an apprentice. I am incredibly proud of my qualification, because it reflects hard work and ambition.

We hear you've now progressed on to a Masters degree at Queen's University Belfast congratulations! How did your apprenticeship experience help with this?

My apprenticeship experience has been really important to me in two ways. Firstly, my ability to work with numbers and data. This is a skill I learnt through doing the AAT qualification and my practical experience having worked in accountancy and finance for two years.

Secondly, confidence. In my masters, I decided to undertake a quantitative thesis, which includes gathering, coding and analysing my own data. This shows how much confidence I gained throughout my apprenticeship that I had the decisiveness and vision to go down that route. Whilst I know I’ll encounter challenges in applying my knowledge at a masters level, I know that I can do anything when I put my mind to it, which is something I attribute to my apprenticeship journey.

Without the practical and technical experience I gained throughout my apprenticeship, I don’t think I would’ve embarked on doing a masters in the first place. So in that regard, I would 100% call it a life changing experience!

Read the full interview on our website.

Sector spotlight: Life Sciences The Life Sciences 2030 Skills Strategy report tells us that the Life Sciences sector has the potential to create approximately 133,000 jobs, through replacement and growth, over the next 10 years.

This Strategy report outlines the need for the sector to recruit, reskill and develop employees in both specialist and non-specialist roles as the demand for innovation and integrated skills intensifies.

It also sets the scene for a demographic shift that has far-reaching consequences – an ageing population with growing healthcare requirements in need of solutions; skilled older workers leaving the sector and younger people replacing them with very different expectations.

Wirral Met offers apprenticeships in:

The need to develop skills and expertise across these sectors is essential to our continued success, and apprenticeships can provide a cost effective solution to recruitment and success planning strategies.

GET IN TOUCH

Laboratory Technician at Level 3 Technician Scientist at HND level/Level 5 Associate Project Manager at Level 4 Operations/Departmental Manager at Level 5

Supported Intern lands a job at Jacksons Supported Internship student Cameron Adamson has secured a job with local employer, Jacksons Leisure Supplies (JLS).

Cameron joined the company as a Warehouse Operative and has thrived in his role. Eleanor Jackson, Manager at JLS said: “Cameron has gained independence and confidence while on placement and is a real asset to our company. The support from Wirral Met has been first class.”

Supported Internships provide students with learning difficulties and/or disabilities the opportunity to gain valuable work experience in various roles.

Learn more on our website.

PAGE 6

Are you able to support your local community and provide work experience for Wirral Met students?

Traineeships are for young people aged 16-24 (and up to the age of 25 if the person has an Education, Health & Care Plan) Traineeships are 6 weeks to 12 months in duration and involve a placement lasting a minimum of 70 hours. Traineeships can lead to a permanent role within the organisation and progression to an apprenticeship. This option allows you to nurture the trainee and develop them to your organisation’s specific skills requirements, and review how they fit within the organisation before committing to offering them a permanent position within the company.

Please note, trainees cannot be qualified above Level 3 / 3 A-Levels to be eligible to undertake the programme.

If you would prefer to work with students before hiring them, a further option would be to consider a longer term Industry placement or a shorter Work Experience opportunity.

Please contact our team for further details.

Why a Traineeship? you to nurture a prospective ✔ Allows employee and develop them to your organisation’s specific skills requirements.

quite ready to hire an apprentice? ✔ Not Through a traineeship, you will still be helping young people get into employment!

Promotion for NHS apprentice Congratulations to HR Consultant/Partner Apprentice Janie Thomson, who has recently secured a promotion in the NHS. Janie says she "would not have achieved this without the course" and is looking forward to progressing on to a higher apprenticeship after completing the Level 5 qualification.

can claim a £1000 incentive ✔ Employers payment for each trainee they recruit

and complete a minimum of 70 hours work placement with. This is for up to a maximum of 10 trainees and is available for trainees starting a programme on or before the 31st July 2022.

LEARN MORE

wmc.ac.uk/employers

Fine Dining Restaurant Now Open!

Step into our Hamilton Campus every Thursday for a contemporary fine dining experience delivered by Culinary Arts and Hospitality students. From delicate flavour packed canapés to exquisite desserts, you can expect creative cooking and exceptional service with 5 courses from just £16.50 per head.

Please book early to avoid disappointment!

VIEW THE MENU & BOOK

Apprentice nominations open for the Further Education Awards 2022 Wirral Met's Further Education Awards Ceremony will take place on Thursday 7th July 2022.

The annual celebration, held at the Floral Pavillion in New Brighton, will shine a spotlight on our hardworking students and apprentices.

Nominations are now open and Wirral Met is inviting employers to recognise an apprentice who has made a positive impact on your organisation.

If you would like to nominate your apprentice for an 'Apprentice of the Year' award, please send an email to employer.services@wmc.ac.uk, providing the name of your apprentice, details of their apprenticeship and why you feel they deserve an award.

PAGE 8

Latest Apprenticeship Levy Transfer rules explained Have you heard about the opportunities for larger employers to pass on up to 25% of their annual levy funds to support other businesses to recruit apprentices free of charge?

Apprenticeship Levy paying employers

Small to medium sized organisations

Do you know how to take advantage of the Apprenticeship Levy Transfer to support your local employers or supply chain?

Small to medium sized businesses can take advantage of the Apprenticeship Levy Transfer to recruit apprentices with 100% of the apprenticeship training and assessment costs covered.

Since September 2021, levy paying employers have been able to create a pledge of up to 25% of their annual levy funds to support apprenticeships in other businesses.

Support your local community or supply chain to enable SMEs to recruit apprentices with 100% of the apprenticeship training and assessment costs covered.

25%

Step 1: Decide on the apprenticeship standard(s) you need to recruit an apprentice for.

Step 2: Select Wirral Met as your chosen training provider.

Step 3: Set up your digital account on the National Apprenticeships Service website.

Large employers can transfer up to

Step 4: Find a business to fund your apprenticeship training from the list of levy paying organisations’ funding pledges.

of their levy funds each year to other businesses.

Step 5: Select an organisation and follow the instructions on how to apply online.

wmc.ac.uk/employers

Online professional development courses In a world of constant change, we all need to refresh and update our skills regularly.

We offer a range of flexible courses that will support the professional development of your employees.

Delivered online from as little as £30, with many courses also FREE to those who live or work in the Liverpool City Region, our online courses offer a cost effective solution to CPD.

Short CPD courses Costing £30, short courses are automatically assessed, providing you with certification immediately upon successful completion.

Level 2 and 3 courses Lasting from 8 to 20 weeks, Level 2 and 3 courses can be completed flexibly around workload and have support and feedback from specialist tutors.

Funding Level 2 courses may be free if students are: unemployed and in receipt of a state benefit studying a full Level 2 course, are aged 19-23 and have not already successfully studied a full Level 2 qualification a resident of the Liverpool City Region (Wirral, Liverpool, Sefton, Knowsley, St Helens or Halton) or if you live outside of the Liverpool City Region and earn less than £17,374.50 per year (£1,448.00 per month)

PAGE 10

Level 3 courses may be free if students are: aged 19-23 and do not already have a full level 3 qualification aged 19+, do not already have a full Level 3 qualification and are choosing to study a course funded by the Lifetime Skills Guarantee

FIND OUT WHETHER YOU ARE ELIGIBLE FOR FUNDING

Admin, Accounting & Finance

Level

Study Time

Certificate in Event Planning

2

12 weeks

£249 (funding available)

Certificate in Principles of Business Administration

2

11 weeks

£249 (funding available)

Certificate in Principles of Customer Service

2

14 weeks

£299 (funding available)

Certificate in Equality and Diversity

2

12 weeks

£269 (funding available)

Certificate in Principles for Digital Skills in Employment

2

8 weeks

£150 (funding available)

Certificate in IT User Skills

Price

2

12 weeks

£234 (funding available)

The Importance of Online Safety

CPD

Flexible

£30

Solving Problems and Making Decisions

CPD

Flexible

£30

Planning and Allocating Work

CPD

Flexible

£30

Principles of Internet Safety

CPD

Flexible

£30

Personal Money Management

CPD

Flexible

£30

General Data Protection Regulation

CPD

Flexible

£30

Level

Study Time

Certificate in Leadership and Management

3

20 weeks

£549 (funding available)

Certificate in Principles of Team Leading

2

12 weeks

£299 (funding available)

Performance Management

CPD

Flexible

£30

Organising and Delegating

CPD

Flexible

£30

Leading and Motivating a Team

CPD

Flexible

£30

Conflict Management

CPD

Flexible

£30

Understanding Leadership

CPD

Flexible

£30

Level

Study Time

Health and Safety in the Workplace

CPD

Flexible

£30

COSHH Risk Assessment

CPD

Flexible

£30

Prevention and Control of Infection

CPD

Flexible

£30

3

12 weeks

£299 (funding available)

Level

Study Time

2

12 weeks

£234 (funding available)

Mental Health Awareness Introduction

CPD

Flexible

£30

Understanding Anxiety

CPD

Flexible

£30

Understanding Depression

CPD

Flexible

£30

Principles of Healthy Eating

CPD

Flexible

£30

Principles of Weight Management

CPD

Flexible

£30

Understanding Eating Disorders

CPD

Flexible

£30

Alcohol Awareness

CPD

Flexible

£30

Level

Study Time

CPD

Flexible

Level

Study Time

Certificate in Behaviour that Challenges in Children

2

12 weeks

£249 (funding available)

Certificate in Understanding Autism

2

12 weeks

£249 (funding available)

Certificate in Understanding Specific Learning Difficulties

2

12 weeks

£299 (funding available)

Management

Health and Safety

Award in Prevention and Control of Infection

Health and Social Care Certificate in Awareness of Mental Health Problems

Catering Food Safety Awareness

Education and Childcare

Price

Price

Price

Price £30

Price

LEARN MORE & APPLY ONLINE NOW

wmc.ac.uk/employers