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Employer eligibility

For employers interested in offering an apprenticeship placement, the following information provides you with the key points you need to know.

Groom plaiting horses

For apprentices to be eligible for an apprenticeship placement, they need to fit certain criteria included but not limited to:

  • The right to work in the UK.
  • Being employed by you, a connected company or connected charity as defined by HMRC.
  • The employer must be a British Dressage paid member of any category from Club and beyond.

For employers to be eligible, you also need to fit a certain criteria:

  • BD Member 
  • An equine business but may relate to clothing, nutrition, tack and equipment or saddlery etc

Must be able to demonstrate the necessary technical knowledge to support an apprentice in one of the following ways:  

  • BD Judge List 3 and above
  • BD Level 3 Coach and above
  • Competition Criteria – features on the technical trainers, meeting the advanced medium, Prix St George and/ or Grand Prix.
  • Employer Requirements – Industry/Business: An equine business but may relate to clothing, nutrition, tack and equipment or saddlery as an example. 

Those holding qualifications issued by another member body but not meeting the technical criteria above, should contact Clare.Stockley@britishdressage.co.uk 

Checklist for employers

There are a number of other elements that need to be in place when employing an apprentice:

Contract of employment

You must provide and sign a contract of employment to your apprentice. This should give details including pay, working hours and working conditions.

Training

As part of the apprenticeship programmes, your employee will need allocated time for 'off the job training' to be completed at your premises or online, using a combination of options with an assigned equine tutor. At least 20% of the apprentice's standard working hours should be used for off the job training. They may also need to study for maths and English qualifications as part of their apprenticeship. As this sits outside of their employed role, you must
allow your apprentice time to study and take part in apprenticeship training within their normal working hours.

Terms, conditions and pay

Your apprentice should meet and/ or fulfil the following conditions:

  • Apprentices should be 16 years old or older by the end of the summer holidays.
  • There is no upper age limit for apprentices.
  • Apprentices should not be in full time education.
  • Apprentices need to work in a role that is relevant to their apprenticeship.
  • Paid working hours should amount to enough to allow sufficient training to achieve their apprenticeship.
  • Apprentices can be new employees or current employees already working for you.
  • The minimum duration of each apprenticeship is based on an apprentice working 30 paid hours a week or more. This includes any off the job training they do.

Commitment statement

Employers must sign a commitment statement with the apprentice and training provider. This sets out how you, your training provider and the apprentice will support the successful achievement of the apprenticeship, including through experience gained on the job. You should make sure that the person in your organisation that is managing the apprentice on a day-to-day basis is aware of the commitments that have been made. The apprentice will only get their apprenticeship certificate after they have passed the assessments at the end of their study. This demonstrates they are occupationally competent.

Financial implications

Depending on the age and circumstances of your apprentice, you could be eligible to receive up to a £1,000 incentive per apprentice. This applies for 16-18 year olds or those with educational healthcare plans. If your apprentice is over 18, or they are an existing employee you would like to upskill, you may be required to contribute up to 5% of the apprenticeship cost (if you aren’t using levy funds). More information regarding levy funds and incentive eligibility can be found on the
UK government website.

Below are the funding values for the apprenticeships and the potential 5% employer contributions for your reference:

Apprenticeship Funding value 5% employer contribution
Level 2 Equine Groom £5,000 £250
Level 3 Senior Equine Groom £6,000 £300
Level 3 Business Administrator £5,000 £250
Level 3 Team Leader/ Supervisor £4,500 £225
Level 3 Digital Marketing £11,000 £550
Level 5 Operations/ Departmental Manager £7,000 £350
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