Employ an apprentice
Benefits of apprenticeships to your organisation:
- Grow your own talent
- Nurture the essential skills needed within your industry
- Enhance diversity in your business
- Improve your team's productivity
- Boost workforce retention.
Apprenticeship Recruitment Service
- Providing support, advice and guidance for job descriptions and contracts of employment
- Free vacancy advertising on the National Apprenticeship Service website, the college website and college social media platforms
- Pre-screening and shortlisting of candidates
- Arrange interviews with shortlisted candidates
- Co-ordinate work trials with current students.
Talent Pool
We actively work with a job ready ‘Talent Pool’ of candidates who are actively seeking an apprenticeship in various industries and sectors.
We will work alongside you to match our talented candidates to your vacancies.
We also run sector specific Find Your Match events in college - to help you find the perfect candidate.
Business Events
National Apprenticeship Week - February 2024
What our Employers say
90% of employers who employ an apprentice report benefits to their business
92% of employers choose to retrain their apprentice on completion of their apprenticeship
Apprenticeship Levy
The Apprenticeship Levy is a levy on larger employers to fund apprenticeships and applies to both public and private sectors. If your business wage bill is over £3 million, your company will pay 0.5% of this amount towards the Apprenticeship Levy.
Levy funds expire 24 months after they enter your digital account unless you spend them on apprenticeship training. Speak to our team about how we can support you in utilising your Levy to develop and train your workforce.
Is there any financial support available for hiring an apprentice?
If your company employs an apprentice aged 16-18 years-old, your will receive £1,000 from the college. £500 of this moneys will be sent to you after the first 13 weeks of recruiting and the final £500 will be available after a year of being recruited.
The UK government is now offering full funding for apprentices employed by small businesses up to the age of 21 - making it easier for you to grow your team without the financial stress. Contact our Apprenticeships Team today to find out more about what this means for your business and how we can help you to recruit an apprentice.
Do I need to complete any health and safety checks?
Our Business Centre Team conduct health and safety checks with employers prior to the apprenticeship commencing.
By law, employers are responsible for health and safety within the workplace. An apprentice is treated as an employee; therefore, employers are responsible for providing a safe working environment.
Do I need insurance?
An existing Employer Liability Insurance policy is sufficient for employing an apprentice. Our Business Centre Team will require a copy of your insurance certificate prior to the apprenticeship commencing.
If the apprentice will be travelling in a company vehicle then this must also be appropriately insured.
How much do I pay an apprentice?
There are different rates of pay for apprentices, depending on age and what year of the apprenticeship they are in.
Employers can choose what they would like to pay their apprentice, as long as they meet the minimum requirements outlined below.
- Aged 16-17 years National Minimum Wage of £4.81 per hour
- Aged 18+ and in the first year of the apprenticeship: National Minimum Wage of £6.83 per hour
- Aged 19+ and has completed the first year of the apprenticeship: National Minimum Wage or National Living Wage rate for their age.
How many hours is an apprentice contracted to work?
Apprentices are required to work between 30-40 hours per week, including time for their 20% off-the-job training.