What are you looking for

Whether you're recruiting your first apprentice or expanding your workforce, we're here to help. From choosing the right apprenticeship to finding a training provider and supporting your apprentice in the workplace, this guide explains the key steps involved. 

Before you start

Before recruiting an apprentice, think about:

  • The skills your business needs now and in the future
  • Whether you'd like to recruit new talent or develop an existing employee
  • The role you want the apprentice to carry out
  • The level of apprenticeship that best matches your requirements

Not sure which apprenticeship is right for your business? Our team can help you explore your options.

  1. 1

    There are hundreds of apprenticeship standards available across a wide range of sectors and occupations.

    When choosing an apprenticeship, consider:

    • The skills and knowledge needed for the role
    • The level of apprenticeship required
    • Your future workforce needs
    • Progression opportunities within your organisation
  2. 2

    Many employers can access significant government support towards apprenticeship training costs, including:

    • £1,000 employer incentive when recruiting someone aged 16-18, 19-24 with an EHCP, or a 19-24 year old care leaver.
    • Apprenticeship Levy Transfer from another organisation.
    • Up to £3,000 Youth Jobs Grant if you recruit an eligible young person, 18-24 on Universal Credit, unemployed for 6 months.
    • Up to £2,000 Hiring Payment to recruit an apprentice aged 16-24.
    • National Insurance Relief for apprentices under the age of 25, subject to earnings threshold.

     

  3. 3

    Training providers deliver the learning and assessment that supports the apprenticeship.

    A provider can help you:

    • select the right apprenticeship
    • develop a training plan
    • understand funding and eligibility
    • recruit an apprentice
    • support your apprentice throughout their programme

    It's worth speaking to more than one provider to find the best fit for your organisation and workforce needs.

  4. 4

    You can:

    Recruit new talent

    Advertise a vacancy and recruit someone new into your organisation.

    Develop an existing employee

    Use an apprenticeship to help current staff build new skills, progress into new roles or prepare for future responsibilities.

    Many employers use apprenticeships as part of their wider workforce development strategy.

  5. 5

    A successful apprenticeship starts with good preparation.

    Consider:

    • who will supervise the apprentice
    • what training and support they'll need
    • how their progress will be reviewed
    • what opportunities they'll have to apply their learning

    Identifying a workplace mentor can help apprentices settle in and develop confidence more quickly.

  6. 6

    Apprentices learn through a combination of workplace experience and structured training.

    Throughout the apprenticeship, you'll work with your training provider to:

    • review progress
    • support learning and development
    • provide opportunities to apply new skills
    • help the apprentice achieve their goals

    Training can be delivered through a range of approaches, including day release, block release, workplace delivery and online learning.

Your responsibilities as an employer

When employing an apprentice, you must:

  • provide a genuine job role
  • offer a contract of employment
  • pay at least the appropriate minimum wage
  • provide opportunities for learning and development
  • support the apprentice throughout their programme

Your training provider can help you understand these responsibilities and ensure everything is in place before the apprenticeship starts.

Your apprentice should:

  • Work with experienced staff
  • Learn job-specific skills
  • Spend 20% of their apprenticeship on off the job learning activity
  • Receive appropriate mentoring and supervision   

The employer must support the apprentice to gain the knowledge, skills and experience they need to gain their apprenticeship.

Apprentices from Carrs Jaguar stood outside building with arms crossed

Employer Success Stories

"Apprentices invigorate our crews and the new roles have created a lot of excitement within the Service."

Kathryn Billing

Group Manager Cornwall Fire, Rescue and Community Safety Service

"It is absolutely essential that new blood is developed for the Bakery industry which is best done via the apprenticeship route." 

Mark Norton

Managing Director Prima Bakeries

"The value that the apprentices have added to our business has paid this back many times over." 

Michelle Pearce

Practice Director RRL accountants

"We have seen many employees progress though apprenticeships, giving us the opportunity to produce high quality engineers."

Darren Etherington

Production Director Watson-Marlow

"Apprenticeships aren't just entry level jobs for youngsters coming straight out of school - they're fantastic opportunities for upskilling existing employees too." 

Mark Holden

Pubilcan Victoria Inn

Need help getting started?

Whether you're exploring apprenticeships for the first time or ready to recruit, support is available. Talk to our team about your workforce needs and we'll help you find the right next step.

Contact us
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