just it employer info guide

The Employer Info-GuideJust IT Apprenticeships

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IT & Digital Apprenticeships

Welcome

Simon PerritonFounder and CEO 020 7426 [email protected]

I’d like to personally welcome you to the initial stages of the Just IT Apprenticeship Programme.

It’s my personal and professional goal to provide life-changing opportunities to learners around the UK by equipping them with the skills necessary to start their IT or Digital career. I believe so strongly in Apprenticeships because of the benefits enjoyed by learners and employers alike.

Employers are able to nurture their own talent pool and develop a workforce with all the industry-relevant skills, whilst young tech enthusiasts are given a chance to take that all-important first step into their career.

Our expert support teams will guide you smoothly and seamlessly through the work based learning process, but should you have any specific concerns you are always free to get in touch with me directly.

Looking for a more senior hire?

Apprenticeships is not all we do. Just IT Recruitment (JITR) are an IT and digital recruitment specialist with the capabilities to fill IT roles from 18k to 120k. We have dedicated Network & Infrastructure, Software & Web Development and Contracting recruitment teams engaging the best senior and entry-level talent from across London, the UK and Global markets.

Want to upskill your current staff?

As a leading IT training supplier and broker, Just IT Commercial Training can provide scheduled and bespoke training courses for all sizes of business. With access to the best rates from all major providers, we can maximise the value of your IT training budget.

Part of the Just IT Family

IT & Digital Apprenticeships & Training

www.justit.co.uk

Network of Careers Advisors

www.centralcareershub.co.uk

Leadership & ManagementApprenticeships

www.skillsteam.com

Recruitment Specialists

www.jitr.co.uk

IT & Digital Apprenticeships IT & Digital Apprenticeships

Apprenticeships can make your organisation more effective, productive and competitive by addressing your skills gaps directly.

The balance of on and off-the-job learning ensures that Apprentices gain the skills that work best for your business. At Just IT we tailor the Apprentice’s learning to reflect your needs.

Over 250,000 companies offer Apprenticeship places because they understand the benefits that Apprentices bring to their business – increased productivity, improved competitiveness and a committed and competent workforce.

Facts and Figures

• 96% of employers that take on an Apprentice report benefits to their business• 72% of businesses report improved productivity as a direct result of employing an Apprentice• Two-thirds of Apprentice-employers also report the introduction of new ideas to the organisation, improved

staff morale and better staff retention• Since 2010, there have been over 2 million Apprenticeship starts in England• Over 500,000 people start an Apprenticeship each year• 90% of Apprentices stay in employment after finishing their Apprenticeship• 67% of Apprentices stay with the same employer• The government will invest £3 billion in Apprentices by 2020

Stats accurate October 2016, as reported by the National Apprenticeship Service.

1 Apprenticeships & Work-Based Learning


Just IT have been a leader in IT training and recruitment since 2001. Using our experience in developing skills and qualifications for the digital technology sector, we’ve created a IT and Digital Apprenticeship programme with standards to meet the needs of forward-thinking employers. Our programme provides motivated young people with the qualifications, skill-development and support they need to thrive in IT and Digital related roles.

Every year, we place hundreds of young people into London companies for hands-on experience of the modern tech industry. Alongside paid employment, Apprentices work with our training and career support teams to develop soft-skills and gain important IT and Digital certifications for their future careers. It is testament to the quality and success of the programme that over 90% of our Apprentices move onto a full time IT and Digital position.

Our Apprenticeship completion rate is 80%

91% of our Apprentices stay in full time employment, of which 87% stay with their current company

50% of our employers are new to the Apprenticeship programme, many of which are already thinking about taking on further Apprentices

77% of employers we work with state their Apprentice has definitely added value to their team

*Statistics correct October 2016

Employer Comments

“I have been working closely with Just IT for around 3 years now, and the most pleasing aspect I have had since then is the care they show for their clients. I have been involved with a few other apprenticeship suppliers, and no others come close to Just IT in terms of taking out the time to show that they care about what they are doing, but also the quality in doing so at the same time.”Tom Watson, dsp Global

“Don’t regret it for a second, smartest thing we have done in a long time. We take people on in entry basis and apprentices are good pool of resources to do that, bringing drive and enthusiasm to the team.”Toby Wakelin, Virtual IT

“From the time we have spent with our Apprentices, it has been one of the best decisions we have ever made.”Daniel Gill, Technical Support Manager at BigHand

2 The Just IT Apprenticeship Programme



Our three different pathways have been designed to deliver skills that are in-demand across the IT and digital sector.

They were developed through our partnerships with national IT and Apprenticeship organisations, including CompTIA, Microsoft and City & Guilds. This ensures the qualifications and training we provide are of the highest standard, and we can guarantee our programme delivers value to both Apprentices and employers.

IT Support & Networking

This unique Apprenticeship programme is aimed at young people with a real passion for solving IT problems and helping people. Typical positions include:

• 1st Line Technical Support• Helpdesk Engineer• IT Technician• IT Support Apprentice

IT Web & Software Development

We’ve developed this Apprenticeship programme for young people passionate about creating software and designing websites. Typical positions include:

• Junior Programmer• Software Developer• Web Administrator• Entry Level Programmer

Digital Marketing

This Digital Marketing pathway is a Apprenticeship programme for young people passionate about social media, digital marketing and technology.

• Digital Marketing Assistant• Digital Marketing Executive• Marketing Assistant• Marketing Executive Apprenticeship Qualifications

Each of the three pathways we offer teaches industry recognised certifications and qualifications.

NVQ and QFC qualifications are designed around the skills the Apprentice needs to thrive in the workplace. Each qualification is comprised of units that test the Apprentice’s competence. They set out what they must be able to do, and to what standard. These standards are set by national employer-led bodies, who know exactly what skills are needed to excel in an IT or digital role.

Assessments are made by a qualified assessor and often take place within the workplace.

3 Our Three Framework Pathways


New Trailblazer Standards are to replace the existing frameworks over the next few years. It sets new skill and assessment standards for Apprenticeships, with support from government, professional industry bodies, training providers like Just IT, and awarding bodies.

They have been created by employers to be more flexible to meet the needs of employers and to match the specific requirements of individual job roles and can be customised to suit a specific requirement. In comparison to current Apprenticeship pathways, the new standards set out the knowledge, skills and behaviours needed to thrive in a specific job role. They will include assessment criteria and qualifications designed to stretch Apprentices over at least 12 months of training.

Infrastructure Technician

This Apprenticeship can be customised to the employer’s needs, providing young tech enthusiasts the skills and confidence they need to successfully support and troubleshoot a business’ IT systems.

Network Engineer

A unique Apprenticeship designed for employers who require support for their network configuration, cloud, network administration and monitoring tools.

Software Development Technician

This Apprenticeship is adapted for software development, mobile app development, and programming.

Software Developer

An Apprenticeship for individuals passionate about coding and web development. This can be customised to ensure a productive and secure working environment.

Software Tester

Designed to ensure that employers’ software works as intended. This Apprenticeship enables logical and creative individuals to gain an understanding of software lifecycles and software development practices.

Data Analyst

Tailored for employers’ that require data analysts, engineers or modellers. This is a Apprenticeship that is for analytical individuals passionate about data structures and database systems.

Future trailblazer standards Just IT will be introducing include IT Technical salesperson, Institute of Leadership & Management, Digital Marketer and Associate Project Management. This will be added to our portfolio in time of the Apprenticeship Levy - May 2017. Talk to a Just IT consultant for more information on new standards.

3 New Trailblazer Standards


An Apprenticeship will last between 12 and 24 months, depending on the level of the Apprenticeship undertaken.

What to Expect From Your Apprentice

It is likely your Apprentice won’t have had a full time job before, so they will need a period of adjustment to get used to the differences between education and the workplace.

Some typical challenges that Apprentices can encounter during those first transitional weeks include:

• Being unsure about who to talk to when they have a problem, or feeling uncomfortable asking for help• Adapting to a longer working day• An initial lack of confidence and professional awareness

These teething problems are generally easily resolved, and with the right support from their employer and our team most Apprentices will seamlessly adapt to working life.

From the word go, an Apprentice should bring new approaches and fresh ideas to your business. Having selected to pursue an Apprenticeship for their desire to get stuck into working life many Apprentices will possess a real career focus. On top of this, as technology enthusiastic they are likely to have a strong understanding of consumer technology, and what users want from products and services.

The Candidate Selection Process

One of the biggest misconceptions employers have about taking on an Apprentice is that a candidate will simply be assigned to them, but that couldn’t be further from the truth.

Before the hiring process even starts, Apprentices have already gone through a comprehensive, strict pre-screening process at our assessment centre. Candidates with the necessary grades for the scheme meet our pre-employment team face-to-face to discuss their reasons for application and their individual career aspirations.

Selected candidates then attend a further series of sessions designed to develop their soft skills and outline the technical qualifications they will need to pass as part of the Apprenticeship.

Once pre-screening is complete, Apprenticeship candidates can be shortlisted for roles which match their pathway choice and career goals. With the help of our team, Employers can view and interview shortlisted candidates to find the right match for their business. You also have a choice of using your office for interviews or using one of our provided rooms at our assessment centre.

When the candidate has secured a job we then plan their curriculum for both on and off the job training, specifically tailoring their learning to fill the skill gaps you have in your company.

4 Roles and Responsibilities



What Does the Course Contain?

Across all our Apprenticeships we teach:

• Competence• Pathway specific technical knowledge• Transferable skills (English, maths and ICT)• Employee rights and responsibilities• Personal learning and thinking skills• Professional behaviours

Learning Portal

The Just IT Virtual Learning Environment is the foundation platform for delivery of our online learning. Bespoke in design, it allows you to track the progress of your Apprentice, as well as guide and mentor them through their curriculum.



Roles and Responsibilities

Induction Period

Our Role

• Provide induction training for Apprentices who have begun the programme• Explain work-based learning and the role of everyone involved• Advise you on workplace induction and initial training• Explain how Apprenticeships are achieved• Explain to Apprentices their rights and responsibilities• Check that Apprentices understand the information they’ve been given during induction• Provide Apprentices with written information to support what they have been given during induction, to which

they can refer in the future• Assess any learning or medical needs and share information with the employer if relevant

Your Role

• To ensure the Apprentice has a thorough induction into the company, including a health and safety briefing• Issue Apprentices with a contract of employment• To pay Apprentices on time• Facilitate and support the agreed upon schedule for both on-site and off-site training• Providing a mentor to the Apprentice

Training Delivery

Our Role

• Provide help and advice on planning workplace training and learning activities• Be aware of the learning activities that are taking place within the workplace• Provide appropriate off-site training sessions to support the skills that the Apprentice is developing in the

workplace, in order for them to be able to achieve their qualification• Keep you informed of what the Apprentice has covered during off-site training activities• Keep you informed of any additional learning or social-needs support provided, wherever appropriate

Your Role

• To help Apprentices develop their knowledge and skills by providing a wide range of learning and training opportunities whilst in your employment

• Allow Apprentices to attend off-site training sessions or exams at agreed times• Help Apprentices put into practice what they have learnt during off-site training sessions• Initiate a meeting with us if you have any concerns about any aspect of the training delivery


Learner’s Progress

Our Role

• Organise a schedule of regular review meetings• Involve the Apprentice and the workplace line manager in the review• Find out and record the progress made by the Apprentice• Identify additional training and support needs and update the training plan accordingly• Agree and record actions and targets between this and the next review• Make sure the Apprentice and the workplace line manager have a copy of the record of the review

Your Role • Let us know how the Apprentice is progressing in the workplace• Advise us of any concerns which you may have regarding the Apprentice’s progress• Attend Apprentice progress reviews• Advise on workplace training and assessment opportunities that may occur in the period to the next review

Equality and Diversity

Our Role

• Promote equality and diversity throughout the work-based learning process• Have a written equality and diversity policy that staff, Apprentices and employers understand and are committed

to• Advise you on equality and diversity issues and legislation• Explain to Apprentices how they should treat other people

Your Role

• Comply with equality and diversity legislation• Demonstrate your commitment to equality and diversity in the workplace• Ensure equality and diversity during selection, recruitment and learning activities• Ensure that Apprentices are treated fairly and equally• Make sure that Apprentices are not bullied, harassed or made to feel unwelcome in the workplace• Explain to Apprentices what to do if they have a complaint about the way they are treated


IT & Digital Apprenticeships IT & Digital Apprenticeships


Health and Safety

Our Role

• Verify that you can provide a healthy, safe and supportive learning environment• Assist you with questions of health and safety, as well as safeguarding requirements and their application to

individual apprentices• Monitor health and safety practices on an ongoing basis• Provide health, safety and safeguarding training for Apprentices to raise their awareness of potential risks• Check Apprentice’s understanding of health, safety and safeguarding risk awareness• Investigate any accidents involving Apprentices within the workplace and agree preventative action• Ensure our staff are trained to recognise potential safeguarding issues• Ensure our staff are registered with CRB/ISA schemes

Your Role

• Ensure the health, safety, safeguarding and welfare of Apprentices and bring your policy statement to their attention

• Comply with health, safety and safeguarding legislation• Inform the Apprentice who is responsible for health, safety and safeguarding matters within the company• Provide initial and ongoing health, safety and safeguarding training in the workplace for Apprentices whilst

providing necessary protective clothing if applicable• Report immediately to us any accidents concerning Apprentices• Assess the risks to which Apprentices are exposed at work and apply the general principles of prevention• Introduce and maintain appropriate measures to eliminate or control risks to the lowest reasonable practical

level


5 Safeguarding Learners

Just IT is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all learners, particularly young people and vulnerable adults. We have a duty to help employers, staff and learners to recognise their responsibilities, through guidance, support and training.

Employers also have a responsibility to the learners that they employ, so it is important that you understand your responsibilities to the learner and what safeguarding means to you.

What is Safeguarding?

Safeguarding is defined by The Children Act 1989 and means that agencies and organisations working with young or vulnerable adults take all reasonable measures to ensure that the risks of harm to the individual’s welfare are minimised.

Why is Safeguarding Necessary for Employed Learners?

Work-based learning providers have not been specifically named (in The Children Act), however in their duty to safeguard and protect they have a common law duty to ensure that any young/vulnerable adult is safe at all times. This means both within the workplace, and also to identify and act on problems outside of the learner’s work.It is the responsibility of the employer to ensure the team working alongside any learners are free from convictions, of sound character and judgement, and will not pose any threat or danger to learners.

Roles and Responsibilities of Employers and Staff

• To understand what is meant by safeguarding, promoting the welfare of learners and the different ways in which they can be harmed

• To be aware of the statutory duty to safeguard and promote the welfare of the learners (in accordance with The Children Act 2004)

• Be familiar with guidance and procedures relating to the involvement of Just IT – for example, who to report suspected harm to

• Provide discreet and secure safeguarding contact point through our dedicated telephone number: 079 2268 3100

Procedures to Use When Harm Is Suspected

• Employees working closely with young or vulnerable learners should be alert to the possibilities of harm• It is the duty of staff to inform only, not to investigate - this is the role of the police or social services• If an employer or any staff member, in the course of their work, has a learner safeguarding issue brought to

their attention, it must be treated as a priority and the designated person at Just IT must be contacted as soon as possible

• Our designated person will then take the advice from the appropriate organisation for the best course of action. Remember, the main priority is to protect learners from harm

• All serious cases of harm should be reported to either local police or social services who will log the report and make further investigations; our designated officer will report this on the learner’s behalf if the employer and learner have not done so themselves. If in doubt, contact our designated person for advice on 079 2268 3100


5 Safeguarding Learners

PREVENT AGENDA

Just IT is committed to supporting the PREVENT agenda which is 1 of the 4 elements of CONTEST, the government’s counter-terrorism strategy. It aims to stop people becoming terrorists or supporting terrorism, and promotes safeguarding of vulnerable people. In 2011, the government strategy of PREVENT was implemented.

In keeping with the government strategy document any references made to ‘Radicalisation’ and ‘Extremism’ within Just IT are defined as per the below:

• Radicalisation refers to the process by which a person comes to support terrorism and forms of extremism leading to terrorism

• Extremism is vocal or active opposition to fundamental British Values, including democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect & tolerance of different faiths and beliefs.

All staff within Just IT are required to undertake CPD activities and complete the Channel Awareness online training module. All learners are introduced to the PREVENT agenda through the induction programme and reinforced at training and assessment sessions. A Safeguarding Risk Assessment is completed and version controlled to identify possible risks and actions required.

The Just IT reporting process for PREVENT matters is as follows:

• Staff member to inform Safeguarding Officer• Incident Report completed• Safeguarding officer to determine judgement on the outcomes of below staged actions:

o Initial meeting with learner o Dependent upon outcome of meeting safeguarding officer to contact the local PREVENT co-ordinator o PREVENT police to intervene and liaise with student’s local authority police department

Contact Us

Just IT are dedicated to introducing new skills and talent into the UK IT and Digital sector. We are a proudly unique company with services covering all levels of IT recruitment and skill development.

Apprenticeships are just one part of our offering, and since 2001 the Just IT Group has provided a blend of recruitment and training solutions which have enabled us to bring real value to companies across London.

Just IT Training

Since 2001, our IT training programmes have launched the careers of over 4500 IT professionals – many of whom have now moved up to senior positions. Our position as a leading IT training supplier allows us to provide bespoke training courses for all sizes of business. With access to the best rates from all major providers, we help forward-thinking companies maximise the value of their commercial training budget.

Just IT Recruitment Group (JITR)

Just IT Recruitment Group are a multi-award winning recruitment agency with a unique approach to hiring. Since 2002 they have been forging their own path within the IT and digital industry. Their creative solutions range from their own IT labs, Hosted interviews, running and offering bespoke pricing recruitment campaigns to technical testing and training candidates. An agency with a difference, they find amazing.

For more information or to discuss your training or recruitment needs call 020 7426 9835, and one of our team will be happy to answer any questions you have.

We welcome and value feedback from our employers. If you have any questions or feedback then please use our customer service email address - [email protected]

Just IT Head Office 020 7426 9835Just IT Training Centre020 3540 6900

just it employer info guide

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