In the UK, all employers must use the Government’s
apprenticeship service to access apprenticeship training to meet their needs.
Once you’ve set up an account, you’ll be able to:
- access and manage apprenticeship funding
- advertise your apprenticeship vacancy or find an apprentice
- choose an apprenticeship training course and find a provider.
There are significant financial benefits to employing an apprentice. Smaller businesses share the cost of training and assessment with the Government – you only have to pay 5% while the Government pays the rest.
You can even get a further £1000 to support your apprentice in your workplace if they fall within a certain age group or have previously received local authority care.
Your apprentice will typically work within your business for 80% of their week, with 20% spent training with their training provider. This usually works out at four days per week at work, and one day out.
Apprenticeships can take any time from between one to five years – though a typical welding apprenticeship takes 18 months to complete.