Finding an Employer
Interested in undertaking an apprenticeship with BMet and ready to get started? There are three ways that you can find the right employer for your apprenticeship:
- Search our current vacancies to find the latest opportunities with employers who have chosen BMet as their preferred training provider.
- Become a member of our Talent Matching Service
Our unique Talent Matching Service has been designed to ensure we match your skills, abilities and ambitions with the right vacancy and the right employer.
Once you’ve applied online and attended the college to meet the faculty team (and deemed suitable for an apprenticeship), we’ll start matching you to one of our many vacancies via our Talent Matching service. Our members have first pick of the vacancies as soon as we link in with new employers, so you’ll never miss an opportunity! If we don’t have a suitable vacancy available straight away then we’ll be in touch as soon we have and with tons of new vacancies added weekly you won’t be waiting for long!
As a Talent Member, you can access CV help as well as interview and employability support, which can ensure that you represent yourself to your full potential.
- Source your own employer who appeals to your career goals.
It may be that our current live vacancies don’t suit your requirements, so we encourage you to have a think about the business you may be interested in working for.
How to find the right employer
Ask around – many candidates successfully secure an apprenticeship though asking around their family and friends network. There may be a friend of a friend or family member who works in a business that interests you, and if so get in touch with them and chat about apprenticeship options.
Look local – spend some time looking at and researching businesses who are local to you. Approach them directly and/or ask for the best person to communicate with via phone or letter. You can drop in a copy of your CV and cover letter which can explain why you would be a great fit for their business. This shows initiative as well as a go-getting attitude to work.
Keep an eye out for opportunities – it could be you are already working in a part-time job and feel that there is scope to convert it into an apprenticeship, in order for your development and to gain education and training alongside your current role. Or you may overhear someone referring to staffing whilst you go about your everyday life, so seize the opportunity and be bold, introduce yourself and see where it takes you.
How to get the conversation started?
If you are stuck as to where to start when discussing apprenticeship opportunities with an employer, try discussing the following:
Why should an employer take on an apprentice?
• Funding – the programme is heavily (if not totally) government funded, meaning that it is unlikely to cost them anything, other than your salary. They get to develop their workforce without investing large amounts in training new employees and also could be eligible for additional grants, to support them in any extra costs they may incur by taking you on.
• Apprenticeship wages start at £4.15 per hour, and include time in work and also learning time, whilst in college. This is often a significantly lower expenditure for the employer than employing a full-time adult.
• Developing and investing in their workforce – apprenticeships not only contribute to the day-to-day running of the business, but also learn whilst at college, so many employers learn a thing or two from their apprentices too when they bring new and up-to-date information back into the workplace.
• Supporting their local community by employing local young talent.
If you are successful in finding an employer who is willing to take you on as an apprentice, get in touch with us and we can help guide you both through the next steps! Call us on 0121 362 2101.
Things that employers must consider:
• Must meet minimum wage for apprentice
• The employer must be willing to commit to the full duration of the apprenticeship (e.g. 13 months, 18 months or 24 months – depending on the type of apprenticeship undertaken), which often includes one day a week at college
• Apprentices must be continually supported/supervised in the workplace, during the entire duration of the apprenticeship
• The role must meet the requirements of the apprenticeship aims
• Employed for a minimum of 30 hours per week (includes time at college).