Employers

As an employer participating in the HLA programme, you will play a vital role in supporting and developing apprentices as they balance work-based learning with academic study. Here’s an overview of your key responsibilities:

1. Employment and Contract Requirements

• The apprentice becomes an employee of your company with a contract of employment that must cover at least 21 hours per week, which includes the directed training day in college.
• Pay for Training Days: The training day spent in college is part of the apprentice's contracted hours, meaning they are paid for this time. For example, 4 days of work + 1 day in college = 5 days of paid work.
• Study Leave: Study leave is paid at the discretion of the employer (for Level 5 Accountancy – ATI recommends 3 weeks study leave to include 4 exam days per year)

2. Contract and Compliance

• Employers must draw up and sign a contract of employment with their apprentice, ensuring compliance with their own company policies and procedures, while also accommodating the apprentice’s attendance at college.
• Course Duration: HLA programmes typically last between 2 and 3 years, depending on the course.

3. Existing Employees

• If you are offering a HLA to an existing employee (someone employed for over 6 months), you must provide evidence of their transition into a new role. This is documented through the Department for the Economy (DfE) 'Existing Employee Application Form', which includes details of the current and new job roles.

4. Tripartite Agreement

• Employers are required to sign a Tripartite Agreement alongside the apprentice and training provider. This agreement outlines the shared commitment to the apprentice's successful completion of the HLA. This document is issued in September when the programme begins.

5. Mentorship

• Employers must assign an in-house mentor to support the apprentice in the workplace. The mentor should have relevant experience to help guide the apprentice throughout their programme. Detailed guidance on mentoring is available in the mentor guidance[AK1] : HLA-Apprenticeships-in-Work-Place_2024-04-15-144804_spou.pdf (src.ac.uk).

6. Wages

• HLA apprentices must be paid a wage that reflects the industry rate for the job and meets or exceeds the national minimum wage. They cannot be paid at the Level 1-3 apprentice rate.
• Employers cannot use financial support from other departmental budgets or programmes to pay the HLA apprentice's wage.

7. Insurance Requirements

• Employers must have a minimum of £5 million Employers’ Liability Insurance in compliance with the Employers’ Liability (Defective Equipment and Compulsory Insurance) (Northern Ireland) Order 1972.

8. Programme Audits

• The HLA programme is subject to audits by the Department for the Economy (DfE) Inspection Team to ensure compliance and quality.

9. Course Viability

• Each HLA course is subject to minimum enrolment numbers to run.

10. Data Sharing and GDPR Compliance

• To access the pool of HLA applicants, employers must complete the GDPR Data Sharing Agreement.

Take the next step and start developing the skilled workforce your business needs. Contact the HLA Team today to learn more about how you can benefit from the HLA programme. HLA@src.ac.uk

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• SRC offer FREE advice, guidance, marketing, and direct access to applicants to easily aid businesses to select and recruit HLA’s.
• Employing a HLA can help your company to grow a new talent pipeline of motivated, skilled, qualified, and professional staff.
• HLAs allow your company to upskill existing staff and promote internally.
• HLA’s offers work-based routes to Foundation degrees and Bachelors degrees in professions that have traditionally been the preserve of graduates.
• SRC provide you with access to a talent pool of HLA Applicants. All selection and recruitment is controlled by the employer, giving you the ability to enhance entry criteria.
• There is opportunity for employers to take part industry engagement activities to ensure academic content remains relevant.
• Tuition and registration costs are covered by the Department for the Economy.

If a company is offering the Higher Level Apprenticeship opportunity to an existing staff member, the employer must provide evidence to support the transfer into a new job role. The Department for the Economy requires each employer to complete an ‘Existing Employee Application Form’ which will include the current job role and the new job role. An existing employee is someone who has been employed by a company for more than six months before the start date of the apprenticeship.

Southern Regional College offers a free apprenticeship recruitment service to employers. Registered employers will access the HLA Portal to view and manage applicants for Higher Level Apprenticeships (HLA).

Timeline for Recruitment

1. November – August: SRC seeks employer vacancies for September recruitment.

2. SRC will assess employer eligibility and ensure mentor suitability to facilitate an apprentice in the workplace. Find out more.

3. Employers register their vacancies on the HLA Portal and complete a Data Sharing Agreement to proceed with the recruitment process.

4. March - Employers are granted access to the HLA portal in March. The first release of applicant details happens at the end of March, with further releases in June and August for additional applicants. This allows employers multiple opportunities to review new candidates throughout the recruitment process.

Recruitment & Selection

5. Employers review the applicants on the portal and conduct their own recruitment and selection process independently of SRC. This includes shortlisting, interviewing, and offering jobs to successful candidates.

Once a job offer is made, employers must inform both the applicant and SRC via the HLA Portal. If multiple job offers are made to an applicant, only one can be accepted.

In the case of oversubscribed HLA programs, places are allocated based on the date the job offer was submitted.

August (A-Level Results Day):

6. Applicants upload their A-Level results to the HLA Portal for verification.

SRC verifies if the selected applicant meets the academic criteria for the HLA program. If they do not meet the criteria, the employer will be informed.

Once verified the employer draws up the Contract of Employment.

Post A-Level Results

• SRC continues to share EAI forms with employers still recruiting.
• Only applicants who have met the academic criteria will have their EAI forms shared at this stage.
• Employers must complete the recruitment process by the first week of September.

Note: All HLA courses commence in the second week of September.

Note to Employers

• Interest in HLAs has increased significantly in recent years. Employers are advised to conduct their selection and recruitment as promptly as possible.
• It is recommended that employers select a reserve candidate in case the first-choice applicant does not meet the criteria or withdraws.
• Employers can also advertise their HLA vacancies on the SRC website.

The Data Sharing Agreement for 2024-25 can be accessed here.

Complete our simple form to start your journey as a Higher Level Apprenticeship Employer.