FAQS BUSINESSES

How does it work?

The apprentice is employed by you – on the same Ts and Cs as any other employee - and they will spend most of their time in your office, working as part of your team. You give them ‘full day release’ to be trained at The Juice Academy in Castlefield, Manchester. Initially, apprentices will attend The Academy for intensive training on a weekly basis and thereafter, for the rest of the year, bi-weekly. The final months of the 15 month programme will be the assessment period and apprentices will be expected to produce a portfolio of work. When they’re at work they are working as part of your team but also set tasks (homework if you like) to do to show they’re learning and to provide evidence for the course assessors

What happens then?

Hopefully, dependent upon how impressive they’ve been, you’ll offer them a permanent position (and maybe a raise!)

What are the apprentice entry criteria?

They must have an A-C in English and Mathematics at GCSE or equivalent to ensure their basic skills are the best. And ideally they’ll also have a qualification in ICT although this is not mandatory

What are the company entry criteria?

You need to employ at least four people, have an office in the North West where the apprentice will work during normal office hours and you also need at least one person in your team who is knowledgeable in digital marketing and social media. These apprentices will be very ‘raw’ when they start and will need full-time day-by-day guidance from their own colleagues, i.e. not just from the programme team. You must provide a quality portable laptop that the apprentice can bring to The Academy. Providing quality mobile phones is strongly recommended in order for the apprentice to create and post content and monitor social media channels out of the office.

What is the qualification?

The programme is 15 months, however this does depend on learner progression and therefore could end up being slightly shorter or longer. Assuming the apprentice is successful, at the end of their apprenticeship they will receive a Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship in Junior Content Producing. 

What do we pay?

All Juice Academy apprentices are paid a minimum standard package across the 15 month programme. This consists of £10,000 salary for the first 12 months, thereafter increasing to the National Living Wage (£8.21 per hour from April 2019). 

Training is government funded, however depending on the size of the company and the age of the apprentice, there are some extra costs involved, or grants available. For full details please see our cost flow chart here.

What are the working hours?

These are employees and therefore subject to the same terms, conditions and working practices as any other employee of your company. Remember, they are very young and they are training, so they might need a little more support and flexibility. You also need to allow them time and access to equipment to complete their tasks/homework - we recommend two hours a week during work.

How will they be recruited?

See Selection

Do I get to choose my apprentice?

To a point. See Selection

What if we don’t get an apprentice this time?

There are four intakes of 20 apprentices over the course of the year so if we’re oversubscribed this time, we can speak with you about being involved next time

Will I need to pay a travel allowance?

No –  As with any apprenticeship or college/university course, the apprentices are expected to make their own way to your office and the training academy in Manchester at their own expense. If, however, you wish to cover any element of this, it is entirely up to you

What if I don’t like the apprentice once they start?

Apprentices are employees just like anyone else  in your company. While obviously we’d like you to do all you can to make the relationship work – remembering these people are possibly younger and far less experienced than anyone you’ve ever employed before - ultimately your company’s standard HR rules, terms and conditions apply. The course leaders are also on hand to support you during selection and throughout the course.

How do I apply?

See Apply