Find out if an apprentice is right for your business

Who can hire an apprentice?

Most types of employers can hire an apprentice. This includes:

• sole traders
• small and medium-sized businesses
• charities, trusts and not-for-profit organisations
• public sector organisations like councils, NHS trusts and schools
• large businesses

To hire an apprentice, you must:

• pay them at least the National Minimum Wage through a PAYE scheme
• employ them for long enough to complete their apprenticeship
• give them time to do their off-the-job training during normal working hours
• not be blacklisted for serious health and safety or financial issues

Benefits of apprenticeships for your business

Hire an apprentice and invest in the future, by getting talent that’s right for you. It’s easier than you think.

The government can pay 100% of apprenticeship training and assessment costs, up to the funding band maximum, for apprentices aged 16 to 24. Find out more about funding options.

Apprenticeships are suitable for people of different ages and levels of experience. You can hire someone new or upskill an existing employee, allowing you to grow talent and develop a motivated, skilled and qualified workforce. They help you to:

• build a culture of learning and development
• enjoy higher staff retention and morale
• promote diversity and inclusion in the workplace

What other employers say

• 86%

  of employers said apprenticeships helped them develop skills relevant to their organisation

  Apprenticeship Evaluation 2023 Employer Survey Research Report

• 93%

  of successful apprentices go into work or further training

  GOV.UK Further Education Outcomes 2020/21

• 83%

  of employers were satisfied with their apprenticeship programme

  Apprenticeship Evaluation 2023 Employer Survey Research Report

• 77%

  of employers have reported improved productivity as a result of apprenticeships

  Apprenticeship Evaluation 2023 Employer Survey Research Report

• "Our apprenticeships have improved productivity because they’re learning on the job and they can give back more or less immediately."

• "We want to invest in our staff, support them to progress and continue developing their skills and career prospects whilst at the council."

Apprentices can bring financial benefits

On average, employers can gain between £2,500 and £18,000 a year for each apprentice during their training.

These benefits are likely to increase further once the apprentice completes their training and remains with the employer, after apprenticeship costs and expenses are removed and productivity increases.

Read the study by St Martin's Group here (opens in a new tab)

Making apprenticeships more inclusive

While many employers use apprenticeships to recruit young school leavers, there is no upper age limit and apprentices can be of any background. Building a diverse workforce benefits businesses, including hiring:

• people with disabilities and learning difficulties
• members of minority communities
• young people who have been in care
• women in underrepresented sectors
• prisoners and prison leavers

Offering apprenticeships allows you to provide opportunities to people from underrepresented groups, promoting inclusivity and bringing a variety of perspectives to your organisation.