Apprenticeships for Business
An Apprenticeship is a real job – employing an apprentice can bring many benefits to your business.
Your existing staff can also become apprentices.
Apprenticeships
Apprenticeships are very much like normal, full-time jobs but with tailored training and qualifications included within them. Apprenticeships give your employees the skills, knowledge and behaviours required for the job role.
Apprenticeships:
- 1 to 5 years to complete
- earn a salary
- Level 2 – 7
Apprentices need to be:
- 16 or over by the end of the summer holidays
- living in England
- not in full-time education
Your apprentices will get:
- work experience, alongside experienced staff
- job-specific skills, knowledge and behaviours
- a wage and get holiday pay
- time for study related to your role (usually one day a week)
Apprenticeships are real jobs.
Apprenticeships are a work-based programme with a skills development plan and assessments. It combines hands-on work with recognised training. Employers can hire a new employee as an Apprentice or grow talent with current employees.
Apprentices normally work a minimum of 30 hours a week, a minimum of 6 hours of the apprentice’s time will be spent completing off-the-job training (usually one day a week) at a College, University, Training Provider or on-site. They have the same rights as all employees, so they get paid and get sick pay and annual leave.
Apprentices will work towards qualifications from levels 2 -7 (education equivalent – GCSE to master’s degree).
Apprenticeships must last one year but can be up to 5 years for some qualifications.
Please see ‘Benefits of hiring an Apprentice’
The national minimum wage for apprentices can be found here – https://www.gov.uk/national-minimum-wage-rates
Apprentices are paid at least minimum wage. You can pay more than this.
Pay is dependent on the industry, location and type of apprenticeship.
For more information on minimum wage, please see
Many businesses employ apprentices, small employers with less than ten employees, and large multinational and global companies based in England.
Apprenticeships are available in many industries, from A to Z, from Accountancy through to Zoology.
Please contact us, and we can help you with the process of hiring an apprentice
See ‘Steps to Hiring an Apprentice ‘ for more information
For more information, contact us.
Steps to Hiring an Apprentice
Contact us, and we can take you through the following steps:
Explore the challenges that you face with recruitment and skills gaps within your organisation. Find out if the apprenticeship route is the right one for your business or if there is another skills solution needed
Discuss the range and levels of Apprenticeships that are available and which may be most suitable.
We will inform you about the training provision available in your local area.
We are impartial so that we will find the most suitable provider based on your needs and preference.
We can explain to you how apprenticeship funding works. We will let you know about any Government funding opportunities available.
We can introduce you to several local colleges and training providers who will then be able to talk to you in more detail about their delivery models and costs. These will vary between training providers.
The Training Provider or College will then help you to advertise your vacancy through the Find an apprenticeship website.
We can also promote your vacancy on our website and social media
If the apprenticeship is for an existing staff member, the training organisation will talk the employer and individual through the training plan and any initial assessments required.
Once you have selected your apprentice, make an apprenticeship agreement and commitment statement [gov.uk] with them. Your Training Organisation can help with this.
Throughout your Apprenticeship and skills journey, your chosen training provider will be on hand to offer support and advice. At any time, you can always get back in contact with us for free impartial advice and guidance.
Apprenticeship and Educational Equivalents
|
Name
|
Level
|
Equivalent Educational Level
|
|---|---|---|
|
Degree Apprenticeship
|
6 & 7
|
Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree
|
|
Higher Apprenticeship
|
4, 5, 6 & 7
|
Foundation Degree and above
|
|
Advanced Apprenticeship
|
3
|
A Level
|
|
Intermediate Apprenticeship
|
2
|
GCSE
|
FAQ & Myth Busting
Apprenticeships are available to people of all ages; anyone over 16 living in England can apply. There are different entry requirements depending on the industry, job role and apprenticeship level.
Apprenticeships are an alternative route into skilled employment. They are a great way to earn while you learn, gain vital work experience and start a successful career without taking out a student loan.
Employers hire apprentices so that they can get the future talent that their business depends on. So from day one, you are given real work experience alongside industry professionals, where your opinions and contributions are valued.
The Department of Education reported 54,000 apprenticeships were started in the South West during 2016/17.
In 2018, there were over 500 West Somerset apprenticeship vacancies posted.
In fact, more than 90% of apprentices stay in employment after their course ends, with 67% remaining with the same employer.
Not necessarily! Our Skill Up Apprenticeships and Skills Adviser can speak to your employer if they don’t already offer an apprenticeship program.
You won’t need to change your contract and will take part in off-the-job training. Get in touch today for free impartial advice and guidance – Contact us
Benefits apprentices can bring to your business
Hiring an apprentice can bring many benefits to your business.
An apprentice can help boost morale, as employees can be motivated and committed for the long term by helping them develop their skills over several years. Another benefit is that you can tailor the training to develop skills and knowledge directly relevant to their jobs and your business.
Your apprentice will know that they will be working towards a qualification that is valuable to them individually and to you as a business.
Costs for employers
Costs for employers
Non Levy Payer
(pay bill of less than £3 million a year)
If you have pay bill of less than 3 million you are a Non Levy Payer.
From 1st April the Government funds all training and assessment costs for those 16-21 years old.
The Government pay a minimum of 95% towards apprenticeship training, and assessment costs are paid for by the government.
You will be asked to pay up to 5% of these costs.
You will pay your cash contribution directly to the provider.
For more information about the costs of supporting an Apprenticeship please contact us
Apprenticeship Levy Payer (pay bill over £3 million a year)
If you’re an employer with a pay bill over 3 million you will need to pay the Apprenticeship Levy
From 1st April 2024, you can now transfer up to 50% of your unspent levy funding
The Apprenticeship Levy allows employers to have control of their training.
You will fix a price for each apprenticeship.
You report and pay your levy to HMRC through the PAYE process.
An extra 10% is paid directly to employers’ apprenticeship accounts.
For more information about the costs of supporting an Apprenticeship please contact us
Find out more about Apprenticeship Levy Transfers
Could your small business benefit from an Apprenticeship Levy Transfer?
Are you looking to transfer your unspent apprenticeship levy?
Apprenticeship Levy information