Recruiting an Apprentice

Gen2: Empowering Skills Across Cumbria

Gen2 is a leading provider of technical and vocational education across Cumbria, operating from four state-of-the-art Skills Centres located in Energus, Lillyhall, Carlisle, and Ulverston.

Key facts about Gen2:

• A dedicated workforce of over 100 staff, committed to learner success
• Accredited to ISO 9001, 14001, and 18001, affirming our quality, environmental, and health and safety standards
• Established by major employers in the nuclear, engineering, and manufacturing sectors, ensuring strong industry relevance
• Trusted by over 300 customers, including leading businesses and organisations
• Supporting more than 1,250 apprentices currently in vocational training programmes across Cumbria
• Achieving a remarkable 93% progression rate into full-time employment for apprentices who complete their qualifications
• Proud recipient of the RoSPA Industry Sector Education and Training Award, recognising excellence in health and safety within education

Gen2 offers a comprehensive recruitment service which can include the sourcing of applicants, aptitiude testing, support with interviews and selection. Our business development team will work closely with you to understand your business needs and suggest the most appropriate apprenticeship for your business. Once your apprentice has been selected our operations team will work with you to tailor the apprenticeship to meet the needs of the apprentice and business.

Since the introduction of the new apprenticeship levy many employers are choosing to use their levy budget to upskill their existing workforce. There are no age limitations on apprenticeships so provide an ideal platform to help train existing staff to national standards, whilst in employment. Our business development team will work with you to help you maximise the levy funding.

As an apprentice employer your commitment would include:

• Employing the apprentice from day one, providing at least the minimum national apprenticeship wage
• Allow the apprentice to complete 6 hours a week off-the-job Job training.
• Provide a suitable work environment with a work place mentor that allows the apprentice to meet the criteria of their apprenticeship

The Apprenticeship Levy was introduced in 2017 and is a UK tax on employers which can be used to fund apprenticeship training. Currently it is payable by all employers with an annual pay bill of more than £3 million at a rate of 0.5% of their total pay bill.

The levy due by an employer is paid to HMRC and is held in a 'digital fund' that employer can use to pay for apprenticeship training.

Funds in the ‘digital fund’ remain available for 24 months from the date of payment. Any amount that remains unspent after that period will expire and will be reclaimed by HMRC.

Payment from the digital fund is made directly to training providers on a monthly basis, for as long as the apprentice remains on the scheme (i.e., until the apprenticeship is completed or the apprentice leaves).

Our Business Development Team have been working with employers since its introduced in 2017 and can help guide you through the process. Find out more by contacting our team.

Apprentices would earn the minimum national apprenticeship wage. As of April 2025 the wage will increase from £6.40 per hour to £7.55 per hour.