10 Things Employers Need to Know About Apprenticeships
From choosing the right apprenticeship standard and understanding funding to recruitment, training and workplace support, here are ten key things every employer should understand.
Why Use Apprenticeships?
Businesses use apprenticeships to recruit new talent, develop existing employees and build the skills they need for the future.
Whether you are bringing someone new into your organisation or developing an existing member of staff, an apprenticeship combines structured training with real workplace experience.
For employers, this provides an opportunity to develop people around the skills, processes and knowledge your organisation needs while creating a qualified and motivated workforce for the future.
Taking on apprentices within a small business is not only a cost-effective way of expanding and growing the workforce, but it also offers a unique opportunity to train a person to company procedures and standards from an early point in their career.
10 Things You Need to Know
Select each topic below to understand the main responsibilities, decisions and considerations involved in employing an apprentice.
01
Programme Choice
Apprenticeship Standards
Apprenticeship Standards
Apprenticeship standards set out the knowledge, skills and behaviours required for someone to become occupationally competent in a particular occupation.
Choosing the correct standard is important. It must align with the apprentice's actual job role and provide substantial new learning.
The same applies when using an apprenticeship to develop an existing employee. Their previous qualifications, knowledge, skills, training and experience must be considered before the programme begins.
02
Costs & Funding
Apprenticeship Funding
Apprenticeship Funding
Funding depends on whether your organisation pays the Apprenticeship Levy, the apprentice's age and the circumstances of the apprenticeship.
Pay Bill Above £3 Million
Employers with an annual pay bill above £3 million generally pay the Apprenticeship Levy.
- Levy charged at 0.5% of the annual pay bill
- Subject to the £15,000 annual levy allowance
- Funds can support eligible training and assessment
- Funding is limited by the apprenticeship funding band
Pay Bill Below £3 Million
Employers that do not pay the levy can still receive government support towards eligible apprenticeship costs.
- Age 16–24: eligible costs can be fully funded
- Age 25+: government normally funds 95%
- Employer normally contributes the remaining 5%
- Costs above the funding band remain with the employer
New levy funds no longer receive the previous automatic 10% top-up and new funds entering an employer's account expire after 12 months.
03
Choosing Support
Picking the Right Training Provider
Picking the Right Training Provider
Training providers can vary significantly in the way they deliver apprenticeships and support employers.
Some may focus heavily on classroom or centre-based delivery, while others combine this with workplace visits, practical training, online learning and employer support.
A good training provider should understand:
- Your business and longer-term skills requirements
- The apprentice's actual job role
- The skills and knowledge you need them to develop
- Their existing knowledge and experience
- How training will fit around your workplace
- How progress will be monitored
04
Finding Talent
Recruitment
Recruitment
Finding the right person is one of the most important parts of the apprenticeship process.
An apprentice is an employee of your organisation, so recruitment should be approached with the same care as any other important hire.
You are not simply looking for someone who can complete the qualification. You are looking for someone with the potential to learn, develop and become a valuable member of your workforce.
Candidates are submitted electronically and, once reviewed, we request interviews with those we choose to move forward. Each year we receive a good number of quality candidates who have been interviewed and assessed prior to submission.
05
Employment
Pay
Pay
Apprentices are employees from day one and must receive a wage and the employment rights and benefits to which they are entitled.
The apprentice rate applies to apprentices under 19 and apprentices aged 19 or over who are still within the first year of their apprenticeship.
Once an apprentice aged 19 or over completes their first year, they must receive at least the minimum wage rate applicable to their age.
£8.00 is the statutory minimum apprentice rate. It is not a recommended apprenticeship salary. Competitive salaries can help vacancies attract stronger candidates.
06
Programme Setup
Agreements and the Training Plan
Agreements and the Training Plan
Several important arrangements need to be in place when employing an apprentice.
Contract of Employment
The apprentice is an employee and must have appropriate employment arrangements.
Apprenticeship Agreement
An Apprenticeship Agreement must be in place between the employer and apprentice.
Training Plan
The employer, apprentice and training provider agree how the apprenticeship will be delivered.
The Training Plan includes:
- Planned training
- The apprentice's job role
- The apprenticeship standard
- Off-the-job training
- Recognition of prior learning
- Responsibilities of each party
- How progress will be monitored
07
Learning
Apprenticeship Delivery
Apprenticeship Delivery
Apprenticeship delivery can vary depending on the standard, provider and needs of the employer.
Before committing to a provider, understand where training will take place, how often your apprentice will attend, what involvement your workplace will need and how much support both parties will receive.
08
Workplace Support
Supporting and Mentoring Your Apprentice
Supporting and Mentoring Your Apprentice
Workplace support plays an important part in helping apprentices develop occupational competence.
An experienced employee can help an apprentice turn formal learning into practical workplace skills and understand how your organisation operates.
We're a small company, so we expect our apprentices to take part in every aspect of our business.
09
Required Learning
Off-the-Job Training
Off-the-Job Training
Off-the-job training is an essential element of every apprenticeship.
Employers should not simply calculate off-the-job training as 20% of total contracted working hours. Each apprenticeship standard now has a minimum volume of off-the-job training associated with it.
Off-the-job training develops the new knowledge, skills and behaviours required by the apprenticeship.
Off-the-job training takes place during the apprentice's paid working hours and does not necessarily mean leaving the workplace.
10
Demonstrating Competence
Apprenticeship Assessment
Apprenticeship Assessment
Apprenticeship assessment arrangements are changing during 2026 and 2027.
Historically, apprenticeship standards concluded with an End-Point Assessment after the apprentice reached their final gateway.
Revised assessment plans are now being introduced progressively. Under the newer approach, assessment may take place at different stages during the apprenticeship.
Assessment methods may include:
Some apprenticeships will continue to operate under their existing EPA arrangements until the relevant assessment plan is updated.
We Take the Hassle Out of Apprenticeships
From selecting the right programme and recruiting candidates through to training, funding guidance and ongoing support, our team works with you throughout the apprenticeship journey.