Apprenticeship in Christian Ministry

• Duration: 12–14 months
• Cost: Training funded by the Welsh Government
• Delivery: Mondays - St Padarn’s Institute (Level 4 Mission & Ministry) AM and Coleg Sir Gâr (Essential Skills) PM
• Suitable for: Those exploring Christian ministry in Wales

This programme is designed for those exploring a vocation in Christian ministry — whether as a Vicar, Chaplain, Priest, Pastor, Minister, or Youth/Children/Family Worker — within any Christian denomination in Wales.

It is primarily aimed at young adults aged 18–30* who sense a calling to serve God and their communities through ministry.

Applicants over 30 may also be considered in certain circumstances.

Apprentices will usually work 30 hours a week, which includes one morning a week set aside for studying for the Level 4 Certificate in Workplace Mission and Ministry (Apprenticeship). The Certificate is made up 6 modules each of 20 credits delivered over 14 months. Delivery is designed to make it accessible to apprentices across the whole of Wales.

Four modules are taught on-line (although where geography allows apprentices choose to gather in hubs to access the on-line teaching together).

Modules of Study

5-10 October - St Padarn's Institute, Cardiff.

29 June -3 July - St Padarn's Institute Cardiff.

Salary

Approved Apprenticeships in Wales are fully-funded by the Welsh Government which means you don’t have to pay for their training programme. This funding will cover all the costs of the registration, delivery and certification of all qualifications within the apprenticeship framework. Although all training fees are covered, the local Church / Benefice / Circuit / Mission/Ministry Area will employ the apprentice and will need to renumerate them a minimum of £226.50 a week. However, if you can provide accommodation, then that figure becomes £74.62*. This is based on the full time/30hours pattern mentioned earlier. But it is also possible to undertake a part time apprenticeship at a minimum of 16 hours a week*. Both these options attract the free training programme funded by Welsh Government.

*While these numbers are based on best estimates, you should check with the employer. Although £7.55 per hour is the minimum wage for apprentices. So, no employer can pay below this.

*The minimum wage is still £7.55 an hour. But accommodation can still be used to offset this figure. But it is in your hands as an employer if you wish to offer this option.

*This hourly rate rises to the national living wage rate in year 2 but the housing allowance will still apply.

Holidays

Apprentices receive 20 days paid holiday per year, plus bank holidays. But they should ensure that holidays are not taken when there are residentials or teaching mornings.

Additional Funding

There are often incentives advertised by Welsh Government that those employing apprentices on an approved Apprenticeship Framework can apply for. In previous years the Government have offered a flat rate grant for those employing apprentices. This year the funding is available for those employing apprentices who have a disability. Because of the recognised importance of introducing younger people to church leadership, some national offices/diocese/regions may also provide grant funding at various levels. It is always worth making the enquiry.

For more advice on pay, pensions and employee National Insurance contributions for apprentices please see the Gov.UK website:

Apprenticeship pay https://www.gov.uk/national-minimum-wage-rates

Accommodation offset rules https://www.gov.uk/national-minimum-wage-accommodation

Pensions - Workplace pensions: Joining a workplace pension - GOV.UK

National Insurance Contributions https://www.gov.uk/national-insurance-rates-letters

• 30 hours full time
• 16 hours part time (at least)

An Undergraduate Certificate (Level 4) in Workplace Mission & Ministry (Theology) through a series of Monday morning Zoom teaching and residentials. There is no cost to do the Level 4 Qualification. This is paid for by Welsh Government whether the Apprentice is full or Part Time.

• We will provide a package of support for those with additional learning needs.
• We will provide Level 2 teaching in Numeracy, Literacy and IT for those who need it. There is a £2k bursary available from Welsh Government for Apprentices with disabilities.

Yes. You will need to employ them. They will be your employees. They will be paid at the Apprentice Rate which is £7.55 an hour or £226.50 for a 30hour week. However, if you are providing accommodation then you can reduce this figure by £74.62 per week, making the Apprenticeship take home salary £151.88.

This hourly rate rises to the national living wage rate in year 2 but the housing allowance will still apply.

Yes. St Padarn’s will contribute £1k per apprentice to each employer who take up this option to provide support with the educational aspects of the apprenticeship – help with portfolios etc. In addition to this, the majority of our dioceses will pay an additional £1k per apprentice to each employer. To find out if your diocese is supporting this, drop an e-mail to your director of ministry.

If your diocese is on board, you will receive £1k from St Padarns (educational grant) and at least £1k from the diocese. Hence an apprentice will cost you £50 a week in real terms. All Church in Wales churches are eligible for the St Padarn’s contribution, but your Director of Mission will be able to advise if your diocese is making a a further contribution

Apprentices should be given 20 days holiday in their first year. However, please ensure holidays are not given during training days or residentials.

• You will need to advertise the post (internally and/or externally).
• You will need to recruit to a job description – and once employed they will need a contract of employment

Ideally Apprentices will start during the summer. But the formal academic part of the Apprenticeship programme runs September to July. So we need to ensure they are in post by September 1st

There are no formal entry requirements for this apprenticeship. But we would expect:

• Trust, integrity and honesty – these are characteristics valued by employers in the Church/Ministry services sector.
• DBS checks – these are essential as employees may well find themselves working with vulnerable adults and children.
• At least 12 months experience of a Church Community

The answer is yes as long as you are paying them above the minimum apprenticeship level, in which case you can designate them as Apprentices for the purpose of the Level 4 Theology qualification.

E-mail us at apprenticeships@stpadarns.ac.uk with the following information:

• Who is the employee (include their e-mail, age, address and last formal qualification)
• Who is the employer (where are you paying from Church Council, MA Council, DBF etc)
• Who is line managing the Apprentice (the first point of contact). Again, provide e-mail and address

We will then contact you and the Apprentice and move things forward from there. We will quite quickly enroll them on the Wales Apprenticeship database and on the UWTSD Level 4 course.