The Shared Apprentice Ltd is a not-for-profit organisation which has been set up to address construction industry skills shortage, support local construction employers and encourage young people to work in the sector. The Shared Apprentice Ltd is one of the first of its kind in Scotland, has been established to offer added value apprenticeships in the construction sector. It is aimed at small and medium size companies who cannot commit to taking an apprentice for the whole 4 years of the apprenticeship but can still contribute to the training of apprentices throughout their apprenticeship without the long term commitment.

The host employer enjoys:

• No National Insurance costs
• No holiday pay
• No pay while at college
• No pension contributions costs
• No PPE costs
• Short term commitment
• Help provide a flexible workforce
• Basic toolkits provided for each MA
• All paperwork, behaviour issues, wages, holidays etc all picked up by the Shared Apprentice

Apprentices are placed with construction host employers in the following trades: joinery, brickwork, painting/decoration, roofing/slating and electrical. The Shared Apprentice Company is the main employer covering all wages when apprentices are in the college, annual leave, sickness and maternity/ paternity pay. Host employers are invoiced for the time apprentice worked with them plus 20%. Apprentices’ wages align with Scottish Building Apprenticeship and Training Council (SBATC) and Scottish Joint Industry Board (SJIB) wage rates. The host company is asked to support apprentices for a minimum of 3 months at any time, although placements can last longer.