Taking on an apprentice

[MartynVRS]

My cousin went self employed just over a year ago as a tiler and it's going really well. Best thing he's ever done as he's got plenty of work coming in and it's to the point he's got more than he has time to do. He's thinking about taking on one apprentice but isn't sure what the procedure is, if there are grants available and how long he can keep them on for. Any ideas?

[starblood]

Get him to approach his nearest Further Education college. They should have a "Work Related Training" (or similar titled) department and they will walk him through the process. I think the successful candidate would work 4 days a week with the employer and spend one day a week attending College to do a qualification.

And if this is your cousins first apprentice (which it sounds like it is) he should get a government grant of £1500.

[edc]

With the brief information provided I would question the motive for taking on an apprentice. Don't be fooled that you will necessarily be more productive with an apprentice especially if you are a one man band. The mentoring and training time to do the apprenticeship justice is not to be sniffed at. An apprenticeship isn't a quick fix but should be seen as a longer term strategy.

[MartynVRS]

He's just thinking about it at this stage. He knows a few people locally who know the basics of tiling so if he used one of them at least they wouldn't be completely new.

[MartynVRS]

It's a long term strategy he's looking at. The person he wants to take on is me but I can't just quit my current job and work for him (unless I can?), he wants to do it properly. The end game would be both of us tiling, I'd buy a van and on big jobs work together. Eventually both of want to buy a house together and rent it out but that's a long way off. After the tiling I'd go back and get the gas fitting qualification so we could cover most things. I'm just not sure where to start. Work is a pretty depressing place at the moment and I just want out.

[edc]

In this situation is it not just as feasible for him to employ you straight away as a simple trainee and for you to work alongside him and learn on the job. You won't have the bureaucracy or process of a formal apprenticeship, you will effectively get the same training as it is the same person doing it, you just won't get the certification.

[MartynVRS]

edc said:

In this situation is it not just as feasible for him to employ you straight away as a simple trainee and for you to work alongside him and learn on the job. You won't have the bureaucracy or process of a formal apprenticeship, you will effectively get the same training as it is the same person doing it, you just won't get the certification.

I know most of what the job entails as I've helped him on jobs before he went self employed. We both worked in a tile shop and I'd labour for him sometimes. The only thing I don't do much of is laying the tiles but everything else like measuring, cutting, mixing, sealing, etc I can do already so it would simply be a case of learning how to do that and I've seen it done so many times I could probably pick it up quickly.

[edc]

MartynVRS said:

I know most of what the job entails as I've helped him on jobs before he went self employed. We both worked in a tile shop and I'd labour for him sometimes. The only thing I don't do much of is laying the tiles but everything else like measuring, cutting, mixing, sealing, etc I can do already so it would simply be a case of learning how to do that and I've seen it done so many times I could probably pick it up quickly.

It sounds like you are barking up the wrong tree with a formal apprenticeship then, especially since there is nothing in place. There is nothing to stop you from recording and documenting your training as you go along. Indeed, for many workers this is done habitually as part of their CPD.

If you both want to work together and there is an agreement or understanding that you will be trained in some aspects then just go for it.

[MartynVRS]

So could I go self employed then bill him for my services instead? We are still working together and there's less risk for him that way.

[edc]

MartynVRS said:

So could I go self employed then bill him for my services instead? We are still working together and there's less risk for him that way.

This is an entirely different proposition and question from the apprenticeship. Why do you think there is less risk? There is no harm in a simple employment contract at minimum wage and a discretionary performance bonus if the risk you wish to mitigate is financial.

You need to better understand the nature of the work and that relationship and look at the HMRC guidance to decide whether you being self-employed is relevant.

What is the end goal? What are the issues as you think they are? It seems like you know what it is but are thinking up a variety of different ways to get there or have identified potential issues which may not be issues at all.

[anonymous-user]

What is stopping you working for him? The money? He cannot commit to a wage? I don't understand

[MartynVRS]

Think it's just the mental jump to give up a job to go it alone. Lots have said it's the best thing they have ever done. Money shouldn't be a real problem and I'll be saving quite a bit of it for the first few months and I have savings to back me up already. There's potential to earn quite a bit I think I just working out the best way to start.