Advanced Learning Loans

Advanced Learning Loans have been introduced by the UK Government to allow learners aged 24 and over to access funded studying at Level 3, Level 4, Advanced and Higher Apprenticeships from 1st August 2013.

To be eligible for one of these loans you must:

• Be aged 24 or over at the start of your course
• Be undertaking an eligible course through an approved college or training provider in England.  Your college/training organisation can advise you on their approval status and confirm which courses are eligible if you wish
• Be living in the UK on the first day of you course
• Have been living in the UK, Channel Islands or Isle of Man for at least 3 years immediately before the start of your course
• Be a UK National or have “Settled Status” (i.e. there are no restrictions on how long you can stay in the UK).  Your college/training provider can also inform you of others ways you may qualify if you do not satisfy the conditions above
• Be able to produce forms of identification required during the application process, for example UK Nationals can use their valid UK Passport details
• Have a National Insurance Number – If you do not have an NI number you may still apply for a loan but may be contacted by Student Finance England should you be required to obtain one
  

Loan applications do not depend on your income or previous education history and no Credit Checks are carried out.
The loans themselves are used purely to cover the costs of the course and are paid directly to your college/provider:  Repayments (see below) are deducted automatically from your salary in a similar way to tax and National Insurance to ensure a hassle-free experience

Repayments of the loan are based on your income, and do not begin until:

• your annual income is above £21,000 per year (which is £404 per week or £1750 per month before UK tax)
• Repayments do not begin until the April after you complete the course (and not until April 2016)
• Repayments are simply calculated:  You pay back 9% of any income over £21,000; e.g. If you earn £25,000 your repayment will be 9% of the additional £4,000 monthly (approx. £30 per month)
• Click This link to access the Advanced Learning Loan repayment calculator which will allow you to easily estimate what your repayments are likely to be

  

The National Careers Service provide a number of very useful documents to help you fully understand Advanced Learning Loans and by clicking the link, you can read their page and download their Fact Sheet and FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) pack.
This website also contains an Eligibility Checking Tool (to see if you qualify for an Advanced Learning Loan) and a link to the Money Advice Service website – We strongly recommend you visit both websites before making a final decision on whether you wish to apply for the Loan.


If you are happy to choose an Advanced Learning Loan, have an idea of the course you wish to undertake and are happy for Remit to support you in gaining your qualification, please contact our dedicated team atadvance24@remit.co.uk and someone will be in contact to further advise you.

Remit is backing British female Rally Champion, Louise Cook, for the second year running

Remit, is backing British female Rally Champion, Louise Cook, for the second year running as she races to the top of her game.

 Remit, based in Nottingham, works with more than 1,600 motor industry apprentices across the country. The company is sponsoring Louise, who will be wearing the Remit logo on her overalls.

In a male-dominated industry, Remit is always looking to encourage young women to make a move into the automotive sector.

Remit’s Chief Operating Officer, Steve Yardley, said: “Louise is a fantastic role model for young women. Louise is really making her mark on a male dominated industry and is not afraid to compete with some of the world’s top rally drivers.

 “Last year we backed Louise for the first time and even gave her the extra boost she needed to make it to the WRC Brother Rally in New Zealand. She competed all over the world last year and we know is planning to build on her successes in the 2013/14 season.”

Twenty six year old Louise was the first ever female to gain a FIA Rally Championship Title when she became the FIA WRC Production Cup Champion whilst finishing 8^th from 15 in the Production World Rally Championship.

 She is in her fourth full season of rally driving and plans to compete in her Ford Fiesta R2 at some of the most famous rally events in the world.

 

Louise said: “I had so much fantastic help from my sponsors last year, Remit being one of them. They were also one of the sponsors that boosted their support to make sure I got to compete on Rally New Zealand.

 “Starting a career with Remit, could mean a future at the side of the race track or on rallies working with drivers like myself. Without our technicians, we would not be able to get through even one of the stages of the rally, so I am always grateful for what my rally team do.

 “I hope working together with the team at Remit I can help inspire more young people, particularly young women, to break into the automotive industry.”

Remit IT Apprentice Wins Microsoft Apprentice of the Year

Remit IT Academy apprentice, Jamie Sauvarin, was named the Microsoft Apprentice of the Year at the company’s national awards.

The Surrey-based young person is based at BrightStarr Ltd in Eashing, and works with the Remit team in our London-based IT Academy. Jamie was chosen from hundreds of apprentices from across the UK to receive this accolade.

He was presented with his award by the Minister of State for Employment, Mark Hoban, at a special ceremony on Monday 24th June at the House of Commons.

Jamie said: “I’ve really enjoyed my time at BrightStarr so far and I’m so happy to have won this award. My apprenticeship has made me even keener to work in IT and has given me a chance to get the skills I need to do that. I would like to say thank you to Microsoft, BrightStarr and Remit for giving me this opportunity.”

Jamie was nominated by his employer for his hard work and commitment throughout his apprenticeship. He was commended in particular for managing the difficulty of moving to a different training provider halfway through his apprenticeship. 

Remit was selected to help Jamie complete his apprenticeship, but the transition did mean Jamie’s learning took longer than anticipated. He was commended by his assessor, manager and colleagues for maintaining a positive attitude towards the difficulties, all of which were out of his control.

Hugh Milward, Director of Corporate Affairs at Microsoft, said: “There is a huge wealth of talent here in the UK and it’s really important to celebrate the achievements of these apprentices, who have developed their skills and started an apprenticeship during tough economic times. These young people are now firmly on the career ladder as 93% of Microsoft apprentices stay with our partner businesses and move into a fully qualified role.”

Mark Hoban MP, Minister of State for Employment, said: “This government is committed to ensuring our young people are given the best chance to get on in life. In order for the scheme to work we rely on businesses like Microsoft opening their doors to aspirational young people, giving them the opportunity to gain the skills and training they need to get into work.”

Remit is one of just four training providers working alongside Microsoft in the UK to deliver apprenticeships. The company has IT Academies in the North, South (London) and the Midlands, with apprentices working with local employers across the country.

The IT apprenticeship can be completed in twelve months and is a combination of training and experience with an employer coupled with off-the-job training blocks. Once they have completed their training, apprentices will have gained qualifications equivalent to A Levels.

To apply you must have GCSE grades C or above in Maths and English. If you have predicted GCSE grades for this year’s exams, this would also be accepted for an initial application.

For more information, or to apply for an IT apprenticeship with Remit IT Academy, please call 01623 410020, visit the website: www.remit.co.uk, like the Facebook page ‘Remit Group’ or follow @RemitTraining @Remit_IT  

Ideagen Plc adopts Microsoft apprenticeship scheme with Remit IT Academy

Ideagen Plc, a UK-based leading supplier of compliance based information management software, has announced the adoption of the new Microsoft apprenticeship scheme that will provide employment opportunities for participants within the East Midlands region.

The new Microsoft apprenticeship from Remit IT Academy, the training provider of apprenticeships across the UK, is a twelve-month long initiative and offers participants pay and qualifications, as well as an opportunity to gain permanent positions. The programme allows participants to gain an Advanced Apprenticeship at Level 3, the equivalent of two A levels. The time apprentices dedicate to the programme is divided between their place of work and the IT Academy.

Apprentices learn practical skills by spending time in a real working environment. By shadowing qualified members of staff, apprentices learn first-hand how to go about the job. At the end of the programme and after passing the final exams, participants obtain CompTIA and Microsoft certification.

Ideagen’s announcement continues the company’s commitment to providing work opportunities for young people.

David Hornsby, CEO of Ideagen Plc, said: “Our new Microsoft openings are a great way for apprentices to improve their skills in the world of IT. Our programme is aimed at developing the young talent and helping them implement their knowledge in real life projects.”

Upon successful completion of the apprenticeship, participants will gain the following academic qualifications and MS certifications:

• Level 3 Diploma in ICT Professional Competence
• Level 3 Certificate in ICT Systems and Principles for Apprentices
• Microsoft Office, Word, Excel and Outlook
• CompTIA A+ certification
• Microsoft Networking Fundamentals certification
• Microsoft Windows 7, Configuring certification
• Microsoft Windows 7, Enterprise DST certification
• MCP (Microsoft Certified Professional), Title

 

Tom Pearson is Ideagen’s first apprentice in this scheme. Tom’s time at Ideagen is split between two sections: 20% is spent working towards his academic qualifications and Microsoft certification, and 80% on being an active member of the team.

Here’s what he told Ideagen:

What motivated you to choose Microsoft apprenticeship programme with Ideagen?

I chose not to go to college or university and go down the apprenticeship route as I am a very practical person. I learn better doing things than sitting in the classroom. I am very happy with my decision so far. My apprenticeship at Ideagen Plc is as a Software Support Technician.

How were your first two weeks at your apprenticeship with Ideagen?

I really enjoyed them. Everyone is easy to get along with and I'm having a great time. My team is really helpful and I have learnt a lot already. Ideagen has been really good to me and have bought me a new computer to help me with my work and studying. I have even been allowed a day off for my driving test!

How will this apprenticeship help you with your personal and professional development?

This apprenticeship will help me in so many ways. Being made redundant from a previous apprenticeship was a really big blow. I put so much effort into studying to be told I am no longer entitled to the qualification I worked for was devastating. After being made unemployed for the first time since I finished school I decided I have better things to do with my time than sit at home all day watching TV!

Being offered the position has made my family and friends extremely proud of me. This apprenticeship will change my life for the better, forever. It will help me get my foot onto the career ladder. Jobs nowadays are really hard to come by, especially at my age with limited experience. I am extremely grateful that I was offered the position at Ideagen, this will give me a much better chance at having a successful future.

 What do you expect to learn during this scheme?

During this apprenticeship I will be learning a lot of things, mainly involved around IT support. I will be helping clients resolve issues they may be having. This will involve talking to customers on the phone, using remote viewing software to control and fix errors with their computers and much more. The skills I learn will be an invaluable asset to me in the future. IT aside, I am really looking forward to gaining experience within a professional business environment as well as receiving my qualifications at the end of the scheme. Being paid for learning is just a huge bonus!

Diabetes Awareness Week 9-15 June 2013

What is Diabetes?

Diabetes is a common life-long health condition. There are 3 million people diagnosed with diabetes in the UK and an estimated 850,000 people who have the condition but don’t know it.
Diabetes is a condition where the amount of glucose in your blood is too high because the body cannot use it properly. This is because your pancreas does not produce any insulin, or not enough, to help glucose enter your body’s cells – or the insulin that is produced does not work properly (known as insulin resistance).
Insulin is the hormone produced by the pancreas that allows glucose to enter the body’s cells, where it is used as fuel for energy so we can work, play and generally live our lives. It is vital for life.
Glucose comes from digesting carbohydrate and is also produced by the liver. Carbohydrate comes from many different kinds of foods and drink, including starchy foods such as bread, potatoes and chapatis; fruit; some dairy products; sugar and other sweet foods.
If you have diabetes, your body cannot make proper use of this glucose so it builds up in the blood and isn’t able to be used as fuel.

Information Source:

http://www.diabetes.org.uk/

The drive to get you places

Steve Yardley, Chief Operating Officer for Remit Group

It has been fantastic to see apprenticeships being given a great deal more attention in recent years. There are now more opportunities than ever for young people to get onto the career ladder and train in their chosen field.

But it’s really important that apprenticeships are not just seen as the university route’s poorer cousin. They are not just a way to reduce unemployment figures, get people out of the job centre and into work, offering employers cheap labour, or even a way to pass on the jobs employers don’t want to do themselves.

An apprenticeship is a springboard to a career. It offers valuable training, on-the-job experience, not only in technical skills, but in life lessons too. And to top it all off, you’re paid to do it – not racking up debts in excess of £20,000, a burden that so many graduates carry with them into working life.

At Remit the majority of our work is in the automotive industry, a traditional apprenticeship route, which is still incredibly popular with young people. But it does carry age-old stigmas, and to many wouldn’t even be considered over a university education.

However I hope people like myself and many of our assessors and senior managers at Remit can serve to allay some of those stigmas.

I began my career as an apprentice mechanic in Nottingham in the eighties. I don’t think if you’d have asked a 16-year-old me where I thought I’d be in 30 years time, I’d say running a £14.5 million company, responsible for training nearly 6,000 apprentices across the UK.

But I had the drive for it, and that’s what matters.

I strongly believe that life is what you make of it. A driven and motivated young person can achieve anything, and I see so many of examples of this at Remit every day.

I never forget where I came from, as I wouldn’t be here without it.

Scottish Apprenticeship Week 2013

To find out about our Apprenticeships in Scotland call our team of recruitment advisers on 01506 411944

http://goo.gl/aDxK3 - To find out more about Scottish Apprenticeship Week

Unique challenge to design new Facebook app to help young people apply for Apprenticeships is launched - Apprenticeships

Apply by 24th May for your chance to design the new Apprenticeship Facebook App

Unique challenge to design new Facebook app to help young people apply for Apprenticeships is launched - Apprenticeships

Remit Group feature in YEPK's Newsletter

http://www.kiliproject.org/newsletters-and-documents/progress-summer-2013.pdf

Are you considering hiring an IT apprentice?


Find out more about how employing an IT Apprentice could benefit your business
12:00-14:00
4th June 2013
Remit IT Academy, Derby

If you would be interested in taking on an IT apprentice within your business,  and would like to find out more information, Remit invites you to come down to our Derby IT Academy on the 4th of June 12:00 until 14:00.

We will be providing lunch, as well as giving a session detailing how an apprentice will work within your company and how our high standard training is delivered to them.

Our IT Programme Leader, Les Meadows, along with IT Tutor, Steve Haigh, will be on hand to discuss the benefits of employing an apprentice and any queries you may have.

Here's the chance to find out more about why Remit IT Academy is a cost effective, hassle free way of recruiting and training talented, Microsoft Certified IT Support staff.

If you would be interested in attending, please contact us at marketing@remit.co.uk or call 01623 410029

Derby Remit IT Academy,  Oberoi Consulting, 19 St Christopher's Way, Patriot Way Business Park, Pride Park, Derby, DE24 8JY.

http://www.remit.co.uk/it_academy

Remit Staff Member Heading Back to Tanzania

Katy Pilling, has just returned from the foothills of Kilimanjaro, where she led a team of apprentices and staff

The trip was set up by the Remit as a prize for those apprentices that came top at Remit’s national awards.

In her day job Katy, works with apprentices across the country to make sure they get the additional support they need to complete their training. Her team provides training in functional skills such as literacy, numeracy and communication, as well as social support for those apprentices that need help tackling some of life’s barriers to learning.

She was selected by Remit’s senior management team to lead the group of apprentices, supported by her colleagues Sam Bold, Steve Knapp and Louise Ward.

As part of the trip, the group spent time with workers from the Village Education Project Kilimanjaro (VEPK). The charity, set up in 1994 by Katy Allen MBE, teaches children and young people in villages on the slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro.

Remit has been supporting the charity for the past couple of years, providing tools and resources to enable them to set up a new vocational centre teaching motor mechanics.

The team learnt more about the charity and met the young people who benefit. They also helped to plant trees, paint the new training centre, and worked with local Mamas, finding out what life’s really like for women running their homes in the rural villages.

Katy was so inspired by the trip, she has pledged to return to Tanzania in September to climb Mount Kilimanjaro. She will be raising as much money as she can for VEPK and the children and families it supports.

She said: “I’ve seen just how difficult the most simplest of tasks are for the Mamas and the children, who are growing up in a different world out there. One day it took an hour, just to make a cup of coffee. But these people never complain, it’s just their life.

“What VEPK offers these children is a chance for an education, and to learn vocational skills that will give them greater opportunities.

“I’m delighted to be a part of a company like Remit that is not only training young people across the UK, but supporting an organisation like VEPK to do the same for those children growing up in rural poverty in Tanzania.

“I am aiming to raise £2,500 for the charity, and having seen first-hand the good this can do, I am determined to achieve my target for VEPK and the people it serves.”

To sponsor Katy, please visit her Virgin Money page at http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/KatyPilling1, where you can also find out more about the VEPK charity.
from Remit, on a trip to support a Tanzanian charity.

Remit Tanzania Trip 2013: Back on English soil and missing it already...

Remit Tanzania Trip 2013: Back on English soil and missing it already...: So it's Wednesday and we're back on English soil. Back to reality and everything has gone from Pole-Pole to Haraka Haraka (quickly...

Remit Tanzania Trip 2013: Hefferlumps, Giraffes and a race to the finish...

Remit Tanzania Trip 2013: Hefferlumps, Giraffes and a race to the finish...: Tuesday is our last day and there were m ixed feelings from everyone this morning over  breakfast. We have the excitement of our morning o...

Remit Tanzania Trip 2013: Hakuna Matata, what a wonderful phrase...

Remit Tanzania Trip 2013: Hakuna Matata, what a wonderful phrase...: Well what a way to start a Monday!  For a few of us the 6.30am breakfast was a bit of a lie in compared to a Monday morning heading down ...

Remit Tanzania Trip 2013: The car in front is a Dala Dala...

Remit Tanzania Trip 2013: The car in front is a Dala Dala...: Sunday Some baboons we spotted on our journey Not a lot to say for today. We drove and drove and drove!  Winlock and Davis picked us...

Remit Tanzania Trip 2013: Bye bye Chem Chem, safari here we come...

Remit Tanzania Trip 2013: Bye bye Chem Chem, safari here we come...: Saturday A view from the top of Kilema Hill This morning we went to Kilema Hill. It represents Jesus being dragged up the hill and cru...

Remit Tanzania Trip 2013: A Pole-Pole day...

Remit Tanzania Trip 2013: A Pole-Pole day...: Friday Two local school children saying hello Today we woke up to rain. This is our day off, so we are taking everything 'pole-po...

Remit Tanzania Trip 2013: 'We take no responsibility for injury or death at ...

Remit Tanzania Trip 2013: 'We take no responsibility for injury or death at ...: Thursday Today we took a trip to Lake Challa. This was about 45 mins away and the weather today is glorious! Back in the Dalla Dalla we go...

Remit Tanzania Trip 2013: Remember this next time you put the kettle on...

Remit Tanzania Trip 2013: Remember this next time you put the kettle on...: My mamma, Anna and her husband Wednesday was our second day with the Mammas.  This was again another extremely hard day, and it just m...

Remit Tanzania Trip 2013: Raindrops keep falling on our heads..tents..clothe...

Remit Tanzania Trip 2013: Raindrops keep falling on our heads..tents..clothe...: Ok, two things: Anna's daughter, Happiness 1. Who's idea was it to camp in tents during rainy season in a rainforest setting on...

Remit Tanzania Trip 2013: Hard work, big bricks and one sore eye...

Remit Tanzania Trip 2013: Hard work, big bricks and one sore eye...: Our second day of project work today and I have  woken up with a swollen eye. Not a  good look!  John Douglas insisted that I go to Giapa...

Remit Tanzania Trip 2013: Don't go chasing waterfalls, just stick to the cof...

Remit Tanzania Trip 2013: Don't go chasing waterfalls, just stick to the cof...: Not the most normal walk to church on a Sunday! This morning we attended a typical church  service in Arishi, which is the next village ...

Remit Tanzania Trip 2013: Digging deep for new Remit centre...

Remit Tanzania Trip 2013: Digging deep for new Remit centre...: Today was the first day of the project work at Remit's  vocational centre. After a  hearty breakfast we hopped in our Dala Dala a...

Remit Tanzania Trip 2013: The wheels on the bus..

Remit Tanzania Trip 2013: The wheels on the bus..: Today has been an incredible experience, once again!  We went to the local town (Moshi) which is approximately one hour away by Dala Dala....

Remit Tanzania Trip 2013: Pole-Pole...

Remit Tanzania Trip 2013: Pole-Pole...: So what have we done since last time we spoke? Well lots!  Checking out the local wildlife On Wednesday we arrived at Chem Chem cam...

Today's the Day Remit Fly to Tanzania

Remit Tanzania Trip

Here is a picture of the Apprentices and Remit staff looking really excited. This was taken before they set off for the airport this morning. They are currently on their flight to Tanzania. We wish them a safe trip.

Remit Tanzania Trip 2013

Thursday, 4 April 2013

Let's get Ready to Rumble....

 



It's T-minus five sleeps till I lead a team
of Remit apprentices and staff members
more than 7,000 miles
south of here to the African country of Tanzania.


I want one of these!!

Our four apprentices, David 'Daps' Price, Eric Riley, Ryan Olone and Anthony Panayi, have all excelled over the past couple of years as Remit apprentices and were given the chance to join me and three other members of staff - Louise Ward, Sam Bold and Steve Knapp - on a charity trek to Tanzania.

Remit has been working with the charity VEPK (Village Education Project Kilimanjaro) for the past couple of years, and has been supplying them with tools and resources to enable them to start vocational training for young people in car mechanics. The charity works to provide schooling and training to children and young people from the deprived rural villages on the North Eastern slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro.

We will be heading out to Killi for 12 days and have a packed itinerary which means our four young men will get the chance to see the work the charity is doing, help out to plant some trees in the local area, learn what life is like for the Mamas in the region and camp out under the stars. We will have a treat at the end of the trip as we head out on Safari, so I can't wait to see all the animals - in fact I might try and fit a baby elephant into my hand luggage!

It's been a busy few weeks organising everything from passports and visas, to jabs, malaria tablets, tickets and flights, but I think I can safely say nearly every list is ticked off.

So ladies and gents, get your bags packed, your sensible footwear polished and ready for inspection, and we're ready to hit the road!

We leave Remit's G7 offices at 8.30am on Tuesday morning. Next stop Gatwick! 

 

Follow Katy's blog for news updates throughout the trip - Click Here 

Remit hits 100 mark with Starbucks

Alex Smith from Starbucks’ Northampton drive-thru store was the 100th young person to be taken on by the company since its apprenticeship scheme began in London last year.

Remit, which works with nearly 7,000 apprentices across the country, was selected by Starbucks to manage the training for all its apprentices across the UK.

Eighteen year old Alex will be training with Remit for a year while he completes his NVQ Level 2 in Customer Service and his Barista qualifications. The company works closely with Starbucks to make sure each apprentice gets the right amount of support to complete their qualifications, the majority of which is done on-site or through specially tailored webinars.

Steve Yardley, Chief Operating Officer at Remit, said: “We’ve been working with Starbucks for over a year now and it’s fantastic to see the first cohort of apprentices achieving their qualifications and doing so well in their jobs.

“These young people have real ambition and the training they receive alongside the valuable work experience they get with Starbucks will give them the boost they need for a career in a highly competitive, fast moving industry.

“I wish Alex the best of luck with his apprenticeship, along with all the other Starbucks apprentices.”

For more information on Barista apprentices with Remit click here or call our recruitment team on 0845 839 9200.

Remit secures best companies accolade

Remit Group employs 178 staff, its workforce is predominantly based in Nottingham and Mansfield, but also has four other remote sites working with apprentices and employers across Britain.
 Remit applied for the Best Companies Accreditation for the first time last year.

The accolade follows the elite ‘Michelin style' star rating system for organisations that demonstrate high levels of employee engagement. It is based on staff feedback, and reflects what it's truly like to work for one of the ‘best companies'.

With ‘one star' awarded, Remit sits proudly alongside big names such as Best Companies itself, the National Trust, Virgin Money, Boots and EE.

Anthony Bromirski, quality and group services director, said: ‘Being named in this elite group of companies for the second year running is a fantastic honour.’

‘To perform as an excellent company we need a team of people that feels valued, and we continuously strive to achieve this for every one of our employees.’

An internal staff survey carried out at Remit's Christmas Conference 2012 reaffirmed the Best Companies findings, with just over 97% of staff believing Remit is a good employer, and they would recommend them.

Anthony added: ‘Remit is constantly growing and this can put huge demands on our people, but we do everything we can to support them and in return they all work incredibly hard. I'm proud to be a part of this company and am delighted to say, so are our employees.’