TRAINING AND QUALIFICATIONS
How apprenticeships can alleviate the recruitment crisis
The Alliance’s Judith Saxon explores the ways in which apprenticeships can benefit the early years sector during the ongoing recruitment and retention crisis
Judith is the training quality manager for the Alliance, overseeing the quality of teaching, learning and assessment of all accredited qualifications
Over recent years, the early years sector has faced a growing recruitment crisis due to a shortage of qualified staff.
The sector encompasses a wide range of roles, all playing a crucial element in shaping the development and wellbeing of young children during their early years. However, attracting and retaining qualified staff has become increasingly difficult, leading to staff shortages and increased workloads for existing employees.
Apprenticeships are the answer!
One of the key benefits of apprenticeships is the opportunity they provide for on-the-job training and development. Apprentices learn by working alongside experienced staff in settings, gaining hands-on experience and practical skills that are essential for success. This hands-on approach accelerates their learning and ensures that they are equipped with both the skills and real-life expertise needed to excel in their roles going forward.
Though often seen as a way for younger people to enter skilled workforces, apprenticeships are not just for new staff; they’re an excellent way to support existing staff gain new skills and knowledge, progress their career and take on more responsibilities in the setting!
Complementing this on-the-job training, the Alliance holds monthly virtual classroom sessions for all apprentices that builds their off-the-job training. These sessions are scheduled during the day and provide the knowledge underpinning the role of an apprentice, enabling them to show understanding against the Early Years Apprenticeship Standards.
Additionally, there are EYA Learn courses and personal development activities set each month to continue the apprentice’s development. The apprentice will be expected to complete a minimum of six hours a week of off-the-job time – for which they’re paid – to: carry out research and complete written work; complete EYA Learn training; attend First Aid training; complete reflective accounts on their practice; and meet with their assessor.
The Early Years Alliance offers apprenticeships at L2 and L3, so please get in touch if you would like to discuss further. Together, we can bridge the gap and create a brighter future for the early years sector and the children!
A recent change to funding means that apprenticeship training is now fully funded for learners aged 16-21 years (previously 16-18 years) working in small settings with fewer than 49 employees. For learners aged 22 and above, most settings will only be required to pay a 5% employer contribution towards apprenticeship training costs, making an apprenticeship a cost-effective option for training employees!
Funding for apprenticeship training is accessed by setting up an employer’s apprenticeship service account. Funding can then be reserved for your apprentice, ready to be paid to your chosen Training Provider once training has commenced.
For more information on how to set up an apprenticeship service account visit: bit.ly/U5-apprenticeships-employersguide.
The Early Years Alliance can support you with advertising vacancies on the government ‘Find an Apprenticeship’ website, give initial advice on recruiting an apprentice and provide ongoing guidance and support as needed throughout the apprentice’s journey. Apprentices can bring fresh perspectives, energy, and a willingness to learn, making them valuable assets to your organisation. There are also monthly support meetings for setting managers/mentors to meet with managers/mentors from other settings, ask questions and gain more information on apprenticeships.
"Apprentices are a great opportunity to introduce and guide a new practitioner into an exciting and rewarding role within Early Years.
"Having an upskilled workforce helps us to develop and grow. Apprentices are known to increase productivity, service quality, and enables us to mentor them to meet individual needs for settings, so it benefits everyone. Helping our local communities is a really important role within Early Years, it helps to build good foundations within the local areas to provide an excellent start in education for the future generations."
Sally Heathcote, Assistant Manager
"While recognising the benefits of experience, it can come with the difficulty of adapting and making changes. Each setting is unique in the service it provides and has its own processes for delivery.
"We have found employing an apprentice, starting with a clean canvas, is an opportunity to achieve a tailor-made trained staff member.
"It enhances the team spirit as staff unite to mentor and support the apprentice. It also builds staff confidence as they share their knowledge and experiences of the setting.
"It is very rewarding when the apprentice achieves their qualification, and you know it is in part thanks to your support."
Angela Palmer, Manager
Under 5 magazine
The magazine of the Early Years Alliance