Apprenticeship - FAQ's
What is an Apprenticeship?
Can my Apprentice work part time?
What are the benefits to employing an Apprentice and what is involved?
What happens if my Apprentice need time off work?
How will the end point assessment work?
Is it possible to fail the end point assessment?
What is Off Job Training and what makes up the 20% requirement?
Will I have to complete my English and Maths qualifications?
Can I pay for my own Apprenticeship?
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Apprenticeship Levy - FAQ's
If I have to, how do I pay Levy?
I already pay Levy but i don't currently employ an Apprentice?
What do I do if the Levy pot runs out?
What if my payroll is less than £3m a year?
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NVQ's - FAQ's
What is an NVQ?
How are NVQ's achieved?
What level NVQ do I need?
How much does the NVQ cost?
Can I get funding for my NVQ?
What units will be covered?
How long will it take to complete?
Can I fail my NVQ?
Do I need to attend college/night school?
When will I meet my assessor?
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CSCS Cards - FAQ's
Which CSCS card do I need?
Why do I need a CSCS Card?
How do I apply for my card?
How much does it cost for my CSCS card?
Which Health & Safety test do I need to sit?
When will my card arrive?
Do Floortrain apply for/send me my CSCS card?
How much does it cost to do the Health & safety test?
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FAQs
Click the buttons and questions below to find the answers to our most frequently asked questions
What is an Apprenticeship?
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Apprenticeships are traditionally recognised as a route to earn as you learn. An apprenticeship combines “on the job” and “off the job” training and provides the apprentice with both practical training and the vital underpinning knowledge that is crucial to develop all round competence as the apprentice works towards nationally recognised qualifications.
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At Floortrain, Off the job training involves monthly visits to one of our regional centres and combines theory and practical training, delivered in state of the art training facilities, whilst using a broad innovative range of e-learning solutions within the programme.
Can my Apprentice work part time?
No - In order to do an Apprenticeship, your learner must be employed for at least 30 hours a week. This is so that the Apprentice has enough time to do all of their required on the job and off the job training making it possible for them to complete successfully.
What are the benefits to employing an Apprentice and what is involved?
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As you are taking on a learner who knows nothing of the trade, you are able to train them to how you wish and mold them to fit perfectly within your company. If your Apprentice is aged 16-18 you may also be entitled to receive a £1,000 employer grant.
Additional benefits to taking on an Apprentice include:
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Improved Productivity
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Increased employee satisfaction
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Reduction of recruitment costs
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Reduction of staff turnover
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You will be required to release your Apprentice for a minimum of 2 sessions per month so that they can attend their sessions with us.
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You will be need to be involved with your Apprentices' training including taking part in there progress reviews which are carried out on site by our training advisors, helping them with workbooks and revision for tests if needed as well as teaching them the job itself.
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For more information, please take a look at our Employers page
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What happens if my Apprentice needs time off work?
If your Apprentice is off work for a long period of time due to circumstances that can not be helped, we can arrange for them to have a break in learning. This will enable them to return to us when they return to work to continue with their training from where they were without it having any detrimental affect on their progress.
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How will the end point assessment work?
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The end point assessment will be an independent assessment (not carried out by Floortrain) and it will only take place once you are deemed competent and once the minimum duration of your Apprenticeship has been completed. The requirements in which you will have to meet will be found in the assessment plan for standards. The price agreed with your employer will include the end point assessment fee and you employer will select an Apprentice Assessment Organisation to deliver the assessment from the Register of Apprentice Assessment Organisations (RoAAO). Your results will be graded as Pass, Merit or Distinction.
Is it possible to fail the end point assessment?
If you fail your end point assessment then you will be booked in to redo it at a later date. The amount of times you can do it will be identified in your individual learner plan (ILP). The whole assessment will have to be redone as they are holistic assessments meaning you won't be able to just do individual units/elements.
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What is Off the Job Training and what makes up the 20% requirement?
Off the job training is training that you do that isn't your normal day to day job role.
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Examples of what can make up your Off Job Training are:
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Attending theory and practical sessions at Floortrain
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Completing your workbooks
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Revising for your end units tests
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Revising for your Functional Skills tests
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Using the Floortrain App
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Observing/shadowing your employer to learn new skills and techniques
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Attending any external training days
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The 20% requirement is the minimum that an Apprentice should complete to help them towards achieving their qualification. For example, if an Apprentice works 30 hours a week then they should complete a minimum of 6 hours Off Job Training per week and they should also receive full payment for this as it is done in works time.
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Will I have to complete my English & Maths qualifications?
If you have previously achieved your Maths and English to at least a Level 1 then you will not be required to do them again unless you wish to go ahead and work towards your level 2.
However, if you have not achieved these previously then you will be required to work towards and achieve your level 1. You will be fully supported through doing this though and we have a lot of resources available to help you with achieving this.
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Can I pay for my Apprenticeship?
No - If you are aged 16-18 then your Apprenticeship will be fully funded and your employer may even be entitled to received a £1,000 employer grant. If you are aged 19+ then your Apprenticeship will be co-funded and your employer will be required to pay 10% towards your training. As you must be employed in order to do an Apprenticeship, you can not pay for this yourself.
If I have to, how do I pay Levy?
You will calculate, report and pay your levy to HMRC through the pay as you earn (PAYE) process alongside income tax and national insurance. For more information, please visit www.gov.uk/guidance/pay-apprenticeship-levy
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I already pay Levy but I don't currently have an Apprentice?
If your payroll bill is over £3m meaning you have to pay Levy anyway you will be able to get a return on your payments. For more information, please visit:
www.gov.uk/government/publications/apprenticeship-levy-how-it-will-work/apprenticeship-levy-how-it-will-work
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What do I do if the Levy pot runs out?
If the Levy pot runs out then you will revert to the rules of non-Levy payers which would be to make a 10% co-contribution
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What if my payroll is less than £3m a year?
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If you do not pay Levy and you learner is aged 19+ then you will only be required to pay a contribution towards your Apprentices training.
What is an NVQ?
An NVQ (National Vocational Qualification) is a work-based qualification designed to demonstrate that a person has suitable skills, knowledge and understanding to carry out the tasks associated with their job role.
How are NVQ's achieved?
When all your initial paperwork is completed, we allocate your portfolio to one of our assessors who will give you a call and introduce themselves. They will make an arrangement to come and visit you whilst you're working and gather evidence which can then be assessed against national standards. Once your assessor has gathered all of the required evidence, your portfolio will be taken back to centre where all IQA checks are carried out and your certificates are applied for.
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What level NVQ do I need?
Your job role and which CSCS card you require will depend on which Level NVQ you need.
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In order to gain your skilled workers card you will need to do the Level 2 NVQ Diploma in Floorcovering Occupation
For any other CSCS cards you will need one of the NVQ's below:
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Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Occupational Work Supervision
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Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Construction Contracting Operations
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Level 4 NVQ Diploma in Construction Site Supervision
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Level 6 NVQ Diploma in Construction Site Management
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Level 6 NVQ Diploma in Construction Contracting Operations Management
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Level 7 NVQ Diploma in Construction Senior Management
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How much does the NVQ cost?
The Level 2 NVQ costs £950 for one unit and an additional £200 per any additional unit. The units covered are:
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Textile (Carpets)
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Impervious (Viynl & Safety Flooring)
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Wood
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There is always the chance that you are eligible for a Fully Funded NVQ though so please contact us to find out
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Can I get funding for my NVQ?
We do have funding available for NVQ's. In order to find out if you are eligible for this funding please contact us
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What units will be covered?
The optional units available for your NVQ are:
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Textile (Carpets)
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Impervious (Vinyl & Safety Flooring)
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Wood
How long will it take to complete?
Floortrain have worked with over 6,500 floor layers and we've found that the average time to complete an NVQ is 3-6 months.
Can I fail my NVQ?
No - If you have not provided enough evidence your assessor will guide you to find any additional evidence needed. If you haven't provided the correct evidence, again we will assist in helping you find something more appropriate.
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Your NVQ can only be achieved through the demonstration of your skills. You will either be competent at the tasks you are doing or not yet competent. If your assessor believes your skills don't meet the national standards, Floortrain can provide the use of it's excellent training facilities to improve your current skill level.
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Do I need to attend college/night school?
No. NVQs are an assessment of your current competence in your workplace. An assessor will visit you in your workplace as a result of your daily job role.
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Organising and cross referencing your evidence and compiling your portfolio will also need to be done. You may be required to complete this at home if you do not have enough time during your working hours.
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If you would benefit from some additional training, we offer the opportunity to attend our centre on completion for some further up-skilling.
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When will I meet my assessor?
Once all of you initial paperwork is complete, your assessor will contact you within a few weeks and arrange to come and see you to carry out your assessment.
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Which CSCS card do I need?
Depending on what qualification you are undertaking and whether or not you have completed will depend on which CSCS card you need.
Please take a look at our CSCS Cards page for information
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Why do I need a CSCS card?
CSCS cards prove that you are competent and qualified to do the job. They can also improve business as customers can see that you/your staff are qualified and therefore good at your job.
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How do I apply for my card?
You can apply for your CSCS card by phone or by downloading their application form online.
Please visit www.cscs.uk.com for more information.
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How much does it cost for my CSCS card?
The current cost for a CSCS card is £30 but as of 01/09/2019 they will cost £36
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Which Health & Safety test do I need to sit to get my card?
To apply for a CSCS card you must have passed the CITB Health safety and environment Test within the previous two years.
When will my card arrive?
If you apply for you card by phone then it will be posted out to you the next working day.
If you apply for your card by post then it can take up to 15 days.
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Most cards arrive at there intended destination within 20 days.
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Do Floortrain apply for/send me my CSCS card?
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No - In order to get your CSCS card you must contact them directly yourself.
Please take a look at our CSCS Cards page of visit www.cscs.uk.com to find out how
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How much does the Health & Safety test cost and how do I book it?
The current cost for the Health, Safety and Envirnoment test is £21.
You can book your test by phoning 0344 994 4488 or by going online. For more information, please visit www.citb.co.uk
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