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Welcome to our apprenticeship pages for employers, where you can find everything you need to know about hiring an apprentice.
Apprenticeships have existed in one form or another for centuries. There are now hundreds of apprenticeships available across a wide range of sectors. More and more employers are using these programmes to build their talent pipeline, upskill their workforce and enhance succession planning.
Apprenticeships combine practical experience in paid employment with a recognised apprenticeship programme which is normally delivered by an independent training provider or college. Apprenticeships balance on-the-job learning with off-the-job training and are a great way of developing skills which are relevant to your organisation and enable people to earn while they learn.
Apprenticeships are available for:
Apprenticeships must last for at least a year plus the time needed to complete the end-point assessment (usually around three months). They can last up to five years depending on the level the apprentice is studying. Usually the higher the level, the longer the apprenticeship. Your training organisation will work with you in identifying a length of stay that meets the needs of the apprentice.
Each apprenticeship will be delivered differently dependent on the subject area and model of delivery agreed with yourself and the training provider. However, you should expect a blended model of delivery to include online learning, one-to-one sessions and structured training either online, via one-to-one coaching or workshops at a provider’s centre or at your own, subject to the numbers of learners you have enrolled.
Many intermediate, advanced and higher apprenticeships will give the apprentice the opportunity to obtain qualifications such as diplomas in areas relevant to their field of work as well as the apprenticeship standard itself. All apprenticeships require the apprentice to achieve, if they are not exempt, functional skills in English and maths. You can see exactly what the requirements are of the apprenticeship via the Institute of Apprenticeship and Technical Education website or the apprentice can speak directly to their training provider.
Apprentices can:
It’s also possible to offer apprenticeships to your existing staff as a way to help them upskill, progress into a new role (e.g. management) and boost their productivity as well as improve retention. Apprenticeships can be tailored to the needs of your organisation and balance learning on-the-job with off-the-job training.
As an employer you can fund apprenticeships by using the Apprenticeship Levy.
If you employ apprentices under the age of 25, you may not need to pay Class 1 NI contributions on their earnings below £827 a week (£43,000 a year). Read more on government’s website.
This event was hosted by the Ealing Apprenticeship Partnership (EAP) which was aimed at local employers who are keen to develop their workforce through apprenticeships and /or are looking to grow their workforce through new talents via an apprenticeship.
The current minimum wage rate for an apprentice is £6.40 per hour. This rate applies if the apprentice is under 19, or if they are aged 19 or over and are in their first year. Apprentices must be paid the national minimum wage for their age if they are an apprentice aged 19 or over and have completed your first year.
The current National Living Wage and the National Minimum Wage rates are:
For employers that opt into Real Living wage for London the rate is £13.15.
Please note that these pay rates are minimums only. Most employers will often set their salaries at higher rates, depending on company policy, the sector and the role, to make their apprenticeship opportunities competitive.
It is important to set a realistic living wage that both attracts and retains the apprentice. As the employer you may want to, working with the training provider, add incremental wage increases aligned to completion of components of the apprenticeship programme that will support motivation of the apprentice through the placement.
If you are an employer and are considering offering an apprenticeship role with your organisation, our apprenticeship team can help with free advice and guidance.
Contact us if you would like to know more about:
You can contact us via email apprenticeships@ealing.gov.uk or phone 020 8825 6234. Our line is open Mon – Fri between 9am – 5pm. If the line is busy, please leave your name and phone number and we will return your call.