Employ an apprentice

Overview

Apprentices are aged 16 or over and combine working with studying for a work-based qualification - from GCSEs or equivalent up to degree level.

Apprentices can be new or current employees.

You must pay the apprentice at least the minimum wage during their placement with you.

Your apprentice must:

• work with experienced staff
• learn job-specific skills
• study for a work-based qualification during their working week, eg at a college or training organisation

Hiring your apprentice

There are several steps to taking on an apprentice.

1. Check the apprenticeships framework for an apprenticeship in your industry and at a suitable level.

2. Register your interest in employing an apprentice with the National Apprenticeship Service.

3. Find a training organisation that offers apprenticeships for your industry - they’ll handle your apprentice’s training, qualification and assessment.

4. Check you’re eligible for a grant and apply.

5. Advertise your apprenticeship - your training organisation will do this for you through apprenticeship vacancies. You can track your vacancies by registering as an employer.

6. Select your apprentice and make an apprenticeship agreement with them.

You can use an apprenticeship training agency if you want to employ an apprentice without the responsibility for running the apprenticeship scheme.

Contact the National Apprenticeship Service if you need help or advice

How long it lasts

Apprenticeships can last from 1 to 4 years, depending on the level of qualification the apprentice is studying for.

Apprenticeships in Scotland

The Skills Development Scotland website has advice for apprenticeships in Scotland.

Get a grant

You may get a £1,500 apprenticeship grant if:

• you have less than 50 employees
• your apprentice is aged 16 to 24

You can claim support for up to 5 apprentices.

Fill in the enquiry form or contact the National Apprenticeship Service to check you’re eligible and apply.

Funding for training

You can apply for funding to cover the costs of your apprentice’s qualification if you’re providing their formal study as well as being their employer.

The amount you could get varies depending on whether the candidate is:

• aged 16 to 18 - you can get all of their course costs up to advanced level apprenticeship qualifications, eg higher diplomas or A-levels
• aged 19 to 23 - you can get half of their course costs
• 24 years and older - you may only get a contribution

Pay and conditions for apprentices

You must pay apprentices at least the minimum wage rate.

Conditions

Apprentices usually work for at least 30 paid hours a week and must work more than 16.

You must pay your apprentice for time spent training or studying for a relevant qualification, whether while at work or at a college or training organisation.

You must offer apprentices the same conditions as other employees working at similar grades or in similar roles. This includes:

• paid holidays
• sick pay
• any benefits you offer, eg childcare voucher schemes
• any support you offer, eg coaching or mentoring

Apprentices and redundancy

You can’t usually make an apprentice redundant simply because you can’t afford to pay them, eg if your company runs out of work. This is because you have a contract to train them.

You should get legal advice if you think you might have to make an apprentice redundant or want to end the apprenticeship early for another reason.

Make an apprenticeship agreement

You must sign an apprenticeship agreement with your apprentice.

This gives details of what you agree to do for the apprentice, including:

• how long the apprenticeship is for
• the training you’ll give them
• their working conditions
• the qualifications they are working towards

You can write your own apprentice agreement or download an apprenticeship agreement template.

Apprenticeship training agencies

You can use an apprenticeship training agency to find an apprentice to work for you. This means that you:

• aren’t the apprentice’s employer
• can stop employing the apprentice more easily if you need to
• pay a fee to the agency for the apprentice to work for you

The agency supervises the apprentice’s learning, including their training and assessment.

If you end the apprenticeship early (eg you can’t afford to carry on employing the apprentice) the agency will find them another work placement.

Contact the National Apprenticeship Service for more information on using an apprentice training agency