FAQ

Employer Frequently Asked Questions about Sgil Cymru Apprenticeships

What is an Apprenticeship?
What is it like to be an Apprentice employer?
What is the financial commitment to the employer?
What will Apprentices learn?
Where will the training take place?
What roles does this Apprenticeship cover?
How many Apprentices can an employer take on?
How does the process work?
How will the Apprenticeship programme be structured?
How many roles can Applicants apply for?
Who can apply to this Apprenticeship programme?
Who cannot apply to this Apprenticeship programme?
What qualifications do Apprentices need to apply to this Apprenticeship programme?
What is the Apprenticeship framework?
What do we expect of employers and Apprentices once they are accepted on the programme, and how will they be supported by Sgil Cymru?
How will Apprentices benefit from this programme?
Who are the funders of this Apprenticeship programme?


WHAT IS AN APPRENTICESHIP?

An apprenticeship is a way of working and learning at the same time. Being an apprentice means that you have a job that includes gaining recognised qualifications and essential skills whilst you are working and earning a wage.

The apprenticeships offered by Sgil Cymru are:

WHAT IS THE FINANCIAL COMMITMENT TO THE EMPLOYER?

  • To participate in the Level 3 Apprenticeship Programme the employer will have to commit to a 12 month employment contract with an Apprentice.
  • To participate in the Level 4 Apprenticeship Programme the employer will have to commit to a 15 month employment contract with an Apprentice.

The minimum that you will have to pay your Apprentice/s is the National Minimum Apprentice Allowance.  Many companies do pay at least the Minimum Living Wage however, and we would encourage you to consider this. As skills develop employers could also increase the wages.

The Minimum Wage for Apprentices is £3.90 per hour* (please note that this is under the annual total taxable rate of income).

* Those aged 19 years or over will be eligible for at least the National Minimum Wage for their age group once their first 12 months as an Apprentice has been completed.

For further information on the minimum wage go to – www.gov.uk/national-minimum-wage-rates


WHAT WILL APPRENTICES LEARN?

Apprentices will learn the creative and technical skills needed to build a career, focusing on one job in particular.

As part of the above apprenticeships apprentices will be required to complete Essential Skills Wales (ESW) in Application of Number, Communication and Digital Literacy, if not achieved in prior learning.


WHERE WILL THE TRAINING TAKE PLACE?

Training will be split between the classroom and on the job training.

All classroom-based training will be held at Sgil Cymru in Great Point Seren Stiwdios, Cardiff.


WHAT ROLES DO THESE APPRENTICESHIPS COVER?

The roles offered will depend on what jobs companies are able to offer. These are just some of the roles:

Under the Level 3 Apprenticeship:

  • Camera Department
  • Special Effects
  • Post-Production
  • Construction
  • Costume Department
  • Production Office
  • Digital Content

Under the Level 4 (Interactive Multimedia Pathway) Apprenticeship:

  • Web Development
  • Multimedia
  • Games Development
  • Online Content Creation
  • App Devleopment

Under the Level 4 (Advertising and Marketing Communications) Apprenticeship:

  • Advertising
  • Marketing
  • Digital Media
  • Social Media

Please contact us directly to discuss the roles you may have in mind for an Apprentice on 07843 779 870 / help@sgilcymru.com


HOW MANY APPRENTICES CAN AN EMPLOYER TAKE ON?

A company can take on however many Apprentices they wish, as long as Sgil Cymru has funding available to take them through the training. Some larger companies have taken on 10 Apprentices, whilst smaller ones have taken 1 or 2.


HOW DOES THE PROCESS WORK?

Employer Discussions – Sgil Cymru works closely with the employer on discussing the needs of the company, and where any skills gaps could be met by employing an Apprentice.

Employer Confirms Role/s – Once the employer decides on the vacancies they wish to advertise, they will confirm this by providing Sgil Cymru with a job description/s (sample job descriptions are available if needed). Sgil Cymru will also need a short description of the company, along with a jpeg copy of the company logo and a link to the website.

Sgil Cymru’s Recruitment Campaign – Sgil Cymru will be responsible for dealing with applications to all the Apprenticeship vacancies. There is a dedicated online application form and monitoring form which are hosted on Sgil Cymru’s website (we do not accept CV’s or any other form of applications). Sgil Cymru will deal with all applications, and will ensure that the employer is kept informed of progress at all times. The advertisement of all apprentice jobs is a joint effort between Sgil Cymru and the employer as Sgil Cymru does not receive funding to advertise these apprenticeships.

Longlisting – Sgil Cymru will work with the employer to sift through all applications in order to decide on a longlist of applicants, who will then be invited to a 1 day Recruitment Selection Workshop* and/or a face to face interview.

*Recruitment Selection Workshops are only used for Level 3 Apprenticeship selections.

Recruitment Selection Workshop – This is a full day of activities designed to get to know the applicants better. They will work in mixed groups on various general tasks, before being set some tasks which are directly related to the job role they have applied for. All employers are required to be present for at least the afternoon during the workshop day. Sgil Cymru staff will work closely with employers to identify potential strong candidates.

Interviews – Employers will decide on whether they wish to bring a shortlist of candidates to interview at the company office. A representative from Sgil Cymru will also attend these interviews to provide information and guidance on the Apprenticeship qualification and processes.

Work Experience – Some employers who are unsure about their selection are able to invite candidates to the workplace for a day’s work experience, before a final decision is made.


HOW WILL THE APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAMME BE STRUCTURED?

  • The Level 3 Apprenticeship runs for 12 months.
  • Both Level 4 Apprenticeships run for 15 months.
  • The programme will commence with an induction course to the creative industries. This will give all Apprentices the opportunity to meet the Sgil Cymru staff, meet fellow Apprentices who will also be on the programme and meet industry professionals.  Apprentices will work towards their qualification during this time and also gain the skills and knowledge before going out on placement.
  • All Apprentices will then go to their employers where they will work ‘on the job’ gaining the skills and knowledge required to work in the creative industries.  Further classroom based training will be provided during the programme, whereby Apprentices will be expected to come in to Sgil Cymru in Cardiff for blocks of two to three weeks to complete the ‘off the job’ elements of the qualification. Dates for these blocks of training will be provided at the start of the Apprenticeship.
  • Towards the end of the programme the Apprentices will come back to Sgil Cymru in Cardiff to complete an Exit Programme. This will prepare the Apprentices to become freelancers in the media industries.
  • IMPORTANT – Following the apprenticeship it is hoped that many of the Apprentices will gain work with their employers.  However, the Apprentices are told that this is not guaranteed as the industry is ever changing and many companies depend on commissions in order to gain future work.  The likelyhood is that following the Apprenticeship individuals will become freelance rather than permanently employed.


HOW MANY ROLES CAN APPLICANTS APPLY FOR?

Applicants may only apply for ONE role.


WHO CAN APPLY TO THIS APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAMME?

  • For the Level 3 Apprenticeship in Creative and Digital Media applications are open to those aged 16+.
  • For both the Level 4 Apprenticeships, applications are open to those aged 18+. There is no upper age limit.


WHO CANNOT APPLY TO THIS APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAMME?

The Apprenticeship in Creative and Digital Media is what is called a Level 3 qualification equivalent to A Levels.

Both the Higher Apprenticeship in Creative and Digital Media (Interactive Media Pathway) and the Higher Apprenticeship in Advertising and Marketing Communications are what is called a Level 4 qualification, which is equivalent to the 1st year of University.

Please note: our apprenticeship schemes are not aimed at graduates.


WHAT QUALIFICATIONS DO APPRENTICES NEED TO APPLY TO THE APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAMME?

At least 4 GCSEs at grades A to C (English and Maths preferred) or equivalent.


WHAT ARE THE APPRENTICESHIP FRAMEWORKS?


WHAT DO WE EXPECT OF EMPLOYERS AND APPRENTICES ONCE THEY ARE ACCEPTED ON THE PROGRAMME, AND HOW WILL THEY BE SUPPORTED BY SGIL CYMRU?

Employers will:

  • be required to complete and sign all relevant paperwork in relation to the qualification when needed.
  • commit to employing the Apprentice for the full length of the training programme. There will be no requirement to employ the Apprentice as a member of staff once this period has ended.
  • be expected to attend regular monitoring meetings with Sgil Cymru’s Training Manager, to give feedback on the Apprentice’s progress. They will be available to offer support and advice when needed.

Apprentices will:

  • be expected to attend regular monitoring meetings with Sgil Cymru’s Head of Training, to give feedback on the Apprentice’s progress. They will be available to offer support and advice when needed.
  • be expected to work as a junior member of staff and complete tasks set by their Supervisor.
  • be required to attend every classroom based session at Sgil Cymru.
  • be expected to complete all elements of the Framework resulting in the completion of the qualification.
  • need to attend meetings with their Industry Assessor on a regular basis to build competence unit portfolios to help gain the qualification.

Sgil Cymru will:

  • work with Apprentice and Employer to create an individual training plan, that will reflect the individual’s training needs and the progress will be monitored.
  • will conduct regular meetings between the Apprentice and Sgil Cymru’s Head of Training, to give feedback on the Apprentice’s progress. They will be available to offer support and advice when needed.

As a training provider, we would strongly recommend that the company appoints a designated mentor to the Apprentice, in addition to their Line Manager/Supervisor.


HOW WILL APPRENTICES BENEFIT FROM THE PROGRAMME?

At the end of the apprenticeship apprentices will have:

  • Gained a workplace experience – practical ‘hands-on’ training
  • Produced a showreel/portfolio
  • A reference from their employer
  • Built industry contacts
  • Improvement of job prospects
  • Gained technical and professional skills
  • Gained qualifications leading to the apprenticeship framework


WHO ARE THE FUNDERS OF THE APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAMMES?

The Apprenticeship programmes are part financed by the European Social Fund through the Welsh Government.

These Apprenticeships have been made possible through Cardiff and Vale College Apprenticeships; the Lead Training Provider for the Quality Skills Alliance (QSA) Consortium. Cardiff and Vale College Apprenticeships have been awarded a contract by the Welsh Government to deliver work based learning programmes across Wales.

The Quality Skills Alliance (QSA) is a collaboration of 22 Work Based Learning (WBL) providers who operate in specialised sectors and bring their skills and expertise to Apprenticeship delivery. Cardiff and Vale College Apprenticeships and the QSA cover a very wide geographical area with provision extending pan-Wales.  Cardiff and Vale College Apprenticeships and the QSA offer a broad range of programmes and work across 25 different vocational routes.

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