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Employer

Getting started

Hiring an apprentice involves navigating new information and our free guide simplifies recruiting an apprentice in England.

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Resources

Learn more about Apprenticeships

Discover valuable resources to learn more about getting started with apprenticeships.

Find the right apprenticeship

Find an apprenticeship course that aligns perfectly with your desired job role.
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Choose a training provider

Choose a training provider to deliver high-quality training for your apprentice.
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Create your apprenticeship account

Create an apprenticeship service account to easily set up and manage your apprenticeship programs.
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Recruit the right apprentice

Begin your journey to finding and recruiting the ideal apprentice for your role.
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Help Center

Questions? Answers.

Quick answers to questions you may have. Can't find what you're looking for? Drop us a message.

The cost of an apprenticeship can vary depending on several factors, such as:

  • The number of apprenticeship positions being created.
  • The size of your organisation.
  • Whether your organisation pays the apprenticeship levy.
  • The salary and benefits offered to the apprentice.
  • The time and resources allocated by you and your colleagues to support the apprentice.
  • Costs associated with covering work during the apprentice’s off-the-job training.
  • The age of the apprentice.
  • Additional qualification costs from the training provider.

Yes, government funding may be available to support apprenticeship training. For example, employers who hire apprentices aged 16–18, or those aged 19–24 with an Education, Health & Care (EHC) Plan or who are care leavers, may be eligible for a £1,000 government payment.

Additionally, funding for training and assessment is available based on factors like the apprentice’s age, the size of your organisation, and whether you pay the apprenticeship levy. Employers who do not pay the levy typically cover 5% of the training costs, with the government covering the remaining 95%.

There’s also a "levy transfer" scheme where another employer can fund 100% of your apprenticeship training costs. Visit Gov.uk for the latest information on funding opportunities.

Large employers paying the apprenticeship levy can transfer up to 50% of their unused levy funds annually to support apprenticeship training and assessment for other businesses.

This allows them to focus their support on specific sectors, skills, or local areas. For example, they could choose to back engineering apprenticeships nationwide, digital apprenticeships locally, or support a specific town or city. The decision on which businesses and apprenticeships to fund is entirely up to the transferring employer.

For further details, visit Gov.uk.

When hiring an apprentice, you can set their salary, provided it meets the National Minimum Wage requirements for apprentices.

The apprentice’s salary is a crucial component of the package you offer, but additional benefits can make the role more attractive. Consider researching similar roles to gauge:

  • The salaries and benefits other employers offer for comparable positions.
  • Insights from training providers about successful job postings they’ve supported.

With over 700 apprenticeship standards available, it’s essential to choose one that aligns with the knowledge, skills, and behaviours (KSBs) your apprentice needs to develop.

Start by visiting the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education. Training providers can also assist in narrowing down the right standard, considering the apprentice’s level and prior experience.

A training provider supports both the employer and the apprentice by delivering off-the-job training and assisting with the overall apprenticeship plan.

If you’re not already working with a training provider, research those offering the apprenticeship standard you need. Select a provider that best meets your organisation’s goals and the requirements of your apprenticeship.

All employers offering apprenticeships must register for a government apprenticeship account. This account is essential for accessing and managing apprenticeship funding.

The registration process is free and straightforward. Detailed guidance can be found here.

Through your apprenticeship account on Gov.uk, you can create and post vacancies on the Find an Apprenticeship platform, where candidates can search and apply for roles.

You can also promote vacancies through:

  • Your company website.
  • Social media.
  • Employee referrals.
  • Local schools and colleges.
  • The DWP’s Advertise a Job platform.