22 January 2025

Take an Apprenticeship in Joint Sealant Application

Here, we spoke to Warren Hill to find out about the CITB’s Specialist Applied-skills Programme (SAP) apprenticeship in Joint Sealant and the funding available.

To mark our third year sponsoring All Mastic Ltd.’s training and NVQ assessment programme, we spoke to Warren Hill, All Mastic’s Contracts Director to find out about the CITB’s Specialist Applied-skills Programme (SAP) apprenticeship in Joint Sealant and the funding available.

What is All Mastic’s involvement with the CITB’s SAP Joint Sealant apprenticeship?

Initially, All Mastic supplied the training for the CITB’s SAP apprenticeship on behalf of the Association of Sealant Applicators (ASA) at our training centre in Portishead, Bristol; but three years ago, we applied to be the direct provider of the scheme, taking on all administration duties. Since then, we have been the UK’s only CITB recognised provider for apprenticeships within the sealant application trade.

Who can take the apprenticeship and what does it entail?

Any person over 16 and working full time for a sealant application company can take the Joint Sealant apprenticeship. The course runs over an 18-month period, beginning every September. Apprentices are required to attend our training centre in Portishead a total of 18 times over an 18-month period as well as four outsourced training courses that are arranged locally to them.

The apprenticeship training covers all aspects of the industry. As well as the joint sealant application NVQ level 2 qualification course, candidates also take a module on Health and Safety that covers topics including IPAF certification, PASMA certification, abrasive wheel training, asbestos awareness and first aid. Plus, there is a module on BS8000 – Workmanship on construction sites.

Who can take the apprenticeship and what does it entail?

Is there any funding available to apprentices and employers on the scheme?

For candidates, the course currently costs £6,620, but full funding is available via the CITB through a series of grants: an initial enrolment grant of £4,000 and a £1,000 completion grant (both applied for through us), plus an additional £1,620 grant that is applied for by the employer. CITB funding is also available for the apprentice’s travel costs and any hotel accommodation that is needed during the course duration.

The cost to the apprentice’s employer is £1,500, which is split into five payments of £300 spread equally across the 18 months.

Is there any funding available to apprentices and employers on the scheme?

What advice would you give to someone considering an apprenticeship in Joint Sealant or an employer taking on an apprentice?

I would recommend the course to any company that would like their employees to receive a full set of qualifications and training related to the sealant application trade without a huge outlay. As the cost of an NVQ alone is over £1,000, the course benefits employers and employees financially, whilst allowing them to gain valuable qualifications.

Taking on an apprentice can also help a company to stand out to future clients when tendering for work and recruiting new staff, so it is a worthwhile investment.

What advice would you give to someone considering an apprenticeship in Joint Sealant or an employer taking on an apprentice?

For more information about All Mastic and the SAP Joint Sealant Apprenticeship, please visit: www.allmastic.co.uk/.