Overview

There were over 161,000 apprenticeships for businesses started in England during 2020/2021.

They are a proven programme that provides people with work relevant skills and qualifications to help you grow your business.

• Apprenticeships for businesses provide skilled workers for the future
• Apprenticeships for businesses increase staff loyalty and retention
• Apprenticeships for businesses increase a company’s bottom line

What’s my commitment?

To employ an apprentice, you need to check and meet the following terms and conditions.

When offering an apprenticeship for businesses you need to ensure or provide:

• They are 16 years old or older by the end of the the first week of September
• A safe working environment
• They are not in full-time education
• Work in a role that is relevant to their apprenticeship
• Work enough paid hours each week to undertake sufficient training to achieve their apprenticeship
• Minimum 30 hours required each week, which includes off the job training
• In conjunction with the training provider, provide individual(s) from your business to provide coaching, mentoring and support

Apprentices can be new employees or current employees already working for you.

We base the minimum duration of each apprenticeship on an apprentice working 30 paid hours a week or more. This includes any ‘off-the-job’ training they do.

Designing the programme

Apprenticeships for businesses combine learning in the workplace with formal off the job training. It enables them to gain the knowledge, skills and behaviours they need to be effective in their current role.

Before proceeding there are two questions that you need to think about.

They are:

1. Have you identified suitable individual(s) for the apprenticeship(s)?
2. Do you have a job description for the apprenticeship?

If not, then you will need to create one.

Let’s assume that you answered Yes, to both of the above. Then the process would start where we would contact approved local apprenticeship providers and set up a virtual meeting at a time that suits you.

Off-the-job training means training done by the apprentice that is separate to their normal role.

This can be done at a college or training organisation, on your premises or online, or using a combination of these options.

For some apprenticeships for businesses, your apprentice may need to study for a work-based qualification from GCSE (or equivalent) up to degree level.

At least 20% of an apprentice’s normal working hours must be used for off-the-job training. This ensures your apprentice will have the knowledge, skills and behaviours they need for their chosen occupation.

Your apprentice may also need to study for Maths and English qualifications as part of their apprenticeship. You must allow your apprentice time to study and take part in apprenticeship training within their normal working hours.

You can agree how all of this training will be provided when you choose a training provider. Read our employer guides to support off-the-job training for examples of how this works in practice.

You must:

• pay your apprentice at least the National Minimum Wage for apprentices
• give your apprentice a job role (or roles) that enables them to gain the knowledge, skills and behaviours they need to achieve their apprenticeship
• allow your apprentice to combine learning in the workplace with formal off-the-job training
• pay them for the time they are in work and in off-the-job training
• give your apprentice a contract of employment that is at least long enough to allow them to complete their apprenticeship successfully

Get started

We specialise in providing access to government programmes to help you grow your business and help the region bounce back.

Digital Future First is a part funded EU project; its partners (Suppylant, DBFB and The Learning & Skills Academy) have access to many projects across the SEMLEP region and are here to support you and your business.

Contact us to check your eligibility now.

Find out more about Government support

Although, we have access to a range of Government programs and incentives, you may want to look at the Government website.

See guidance and resources on good work experience including:

• work experience placements that work guide from CIPD
• employer case studies from Skills Training UK
• why they work videos from the Learning and Work Institute
• work experience quality standard accreditation from Fair Train

Get support to deliver work experience for people with learning difficulties or disabilities from:

• Access to Work