Hire an Apprentice
A productive and effective way for any business to grow talent.
An apprenticeship is a job with an accompanying assessment and skills development programme. It is a way for individuals to earn while they learn, gaining valuable skills and knowledge in a specific job role. Hiring an apprentice - or upskilling your existing workforce through an apprenticeship - is a productive and effective way for any business to grow talent and develop a motivated, skilled and qualified workforce.ÌýÌý
Apprenticeships are suitable for anyone over the age of 16, who spend at least 50% of their working hours in England and who are not in full-time education. Apprenticeship programmes typically last between 12 – 24 months, but depending on the level, they can last up to four years. As well as being available in traditional trades such as hairdressing, car mechanics, engineering and construction, apprenticeships are also available in professional sectors such as accountancy, business, management, IT and marketing. Apprentices can be new recruits or existing employees.
Apprentices must spend at least 20% of their time on ‘off-the-job training’. It is up to you, the employer, and É«ÂþÌìÌà to decide how the off-the-job training is delivered - it can include regular day release, block release, special training days or workshops, and can cover practical training such as shadowing, mentoring, and industry visits.
At É«ÂþÌìÌÃ, we have years of experience in sourcing and placing the right apprentices with the right businesses - we currently have over 1,000 apprentices in situ with our local Levy and non-Levy business partners - and will provide you with support and guidance throughout the life-cycle of the process.Ìý
You might already have a candidate you wish to upskill, or may wish for us to source an apprentice on your behalf, either way, the completeness and quality of our service will remain the same.Ìý
Need further assistance?
Please get in touch with our Business Development Team:
Guide to Apprenticeships
Additional information
Apprenticeships can benefit your organisation by:
- Producing a highly qualified workforce
- Developing better-trained employees
- Improving productivity
- Finding the next generation of managers/leaders
- Increasing motivated and loyal workers
- Enabling you to fill skill gaps
- Improving retention
- Reducing recruitment costs
In order to offer an apprenticeship, you must:
- Provide a genuine job
- Offer an employment contract for the length of the apprenticeship
- Nominate a key contact or mentor for the learner
- Be commited to the development of the apprenticeÌý
- Meet the legal requirements of relevant legislation
- Pay an apprentice’s wages*
*As an employer, you will set the wage for your apprentice at the start of the apprenticeship.Ìý
If an apprentice is aged between 16 -18 or older, and in the first year of their apprenticeship, they must be paid at least £4.15 per hour. After this they are entitled to the National Minimum Wage for their age. To attract the right candidates their wage needs to be competitive and many employers also build in incentives to recognise achievement. Find out more about .Ìý
É«ÂþÌìÌà is passionate about apprenticeships. Whether you already have a candidate you wish to upskill, or would like us to source an apprentice on your behalf, we will:
- Provide information and advice on how apprenticeships can work for your business, including upskilling your existing employees.
- Discuss your individual business needs and the specific role that needs filling, and advise you on which apprenticeship course is most suitable.
- Confirm the suitability of your job role for the Apprenticeship Standard, ensuring it covers all the required elements to meet the training needs of the qualification.
- Support and guide you through the recruitment process, including the creation of a job description, and advertising on the National Apprentice Service site and the . Please contact our for more information.
- Inform you of any Government funding and incentive payments accessible to you, and advise you on how to apply.