Apprenticeships Information for Employers

Apprenticeships provide the opportunity to earn while you learn. If you are interested in employing an apprentice, there is financial support and help available from the government.

What are the benefits of hiring an apprentice?

Grow talent
Develop a motivated, skilled and qualified workforce
Expand and upskill your employees
Adapt training to meet the needs of your business

How does the training work?

Your apprentice will receive two different types of training.

‘Off-the-job’ training which is delivered by a training provider and takes place during your apprentice’s normal working hours.

At least 20% of the apprentice’s time
Can be flexible

Doesn’t have to mean one day out of the workplace each week. It might be blocks of time for example. This training can be online, at your place or work or at a college, university or training provider
It could be a combination of all three
The training schedule is agreed between the employer and training provider

‘On-the-job’ training which is delivered by you, the employer. Your apprentice requires training and supervision to help them perform the job that you have hired them for.

What is an apprenticeship agreement?

This is used to confirm individual employment arrangements between the apprentice and employer. It will include details such as how long they will be employed for, the training they will receive, their working conditions and the qualifications they will be working towards.

What is an apprenticeship commitment statement?

This must also be signed alongside the apprenticeship agreement. This must include the planned content and schedule for training, what is expected by all parties and how any queries or complaints will be resolved. More information can be found here.

What financial support is available?

You can get help from the government to pay for apprenticeship training. The amount you receive depends on whether you pay the apprenticeship levy. More information can be found here.

You have to pay Apprenticeship Levy each month if you:

Have an annual pay bill of more than £3 million
Are connected to any companies or charities for Employment Allowance purposes and have a combined annual pay bill of more than £3 million

Perceptions of Apprenticeships

Dorset Young Researchers were commissioned by Dorset Careers Hub to find out the thoughts, feelings and lived experiences of different viewpoints of apprenticeships and when those viewpoints were formed.

Young Researchers designed and delivered youth-led participatory action research into young people's, parents, carers, teachers and employers perceptions of apprenticeships. They heard from 487 people - including young people, parents, carers, employers and educators.

The full report can be found here and key headlines can be downloaded here.

Where can I found out more about Apprenticeships?

There is more information about Apprenticeship Levy here.

For further details on hiring an apprentice, take a look here.