East Midlands Local Authority Apprenticeship Agency

The East Midlands Improvement & Efficiency Partnership (EM IEP), in partnership with the East Midlands Councils, the National Apprenticeship Service (NAS) and Unionlearn, is proud to launch the East Midlands Local Authorities Apprenticeship Agency (EMLAAA).

In the last decade Apprenticeship numbers have already more than trebled. Apprenticeships bring considerable value to organisations, employers, individuals and the economy. Organisations across the country are now increasingly realising the enormous benefits that Apprenticeships create, not only in terms of a highly skilled workforce but also by boosting productivity
and staff retention.

EMLAAA seeks to stimulate at least 300 16 to 18 year old Apprenticeship starts across the region in Local Authorities, Schools & Children's Services, and the five Fire Authorities. The planned starts include 20% from Black Minority Ethnic Groups and 5% from those identified as being part of the PSA 16* category.

EMLAAA will play a role in coordinating quality assured training providers who will be fully funded by the NAS to provide Apprenticeship training for 16 to 18 year olds (the NAS does not pay wage or other costs). The duration of the Apprenticeship programme depends on the discipline and the level; however, the average duration for a Level 2 is 15 months and for a Level 3 is 25 months. There are almost 190 Apprenticeship frameworks at Levels 2, 3 and 4.

Each of the four partners has agreed to resource the project and is committed to its success. Local Authorities / Schools/ Fire and Rescue Authorities' commitment is required to host Apprentices for suitable employment and training, pay at least the national minimum Apprenticeship wage, and support the training programmes funded by the NAS and delivered by the accredited training provider.

EMLAAA will:

- Co-ordinate activity through a Steering Group.
- Promote nationally recognised Apprenticeship frameworks.
- Develop an Apprenticeship Handbook for Middle Managers.
- Develop an Apprenticeship Handbook for Unionlearn representatives.
- Through Unionlearn engage with recognised Unions in the workplace
- Through Unionlearn provide mentoring support in the workplace.
- Raise awareness and share best practice both from within the East Midlands and from outside.
- Seek additional funding opportunities to grow the programme.
- Promote continued employment after the Apprenticeship has ended.
- Provide support for Apprentices who do not have the opportunity of continued employment.

EMLAAA will help deliver:

- A contribution to stretching Apprenticeship start targets set by Government departments (in line with the trajectory from
circa 234,000 Apprentices on programme currently to 400,000 by 2020).
- The aspiration that one in five young people will be an Apprentice by 2020 (currently one in eleven in the East Midlands).
- The entitlement to education, training or employment with training for 16 to 18 year olds.