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Apprenticeships: Are they suited for your business?

Person welding

Apprenticeships can be an attractive opportunity for many business owners, whether looking to impart knowledge to the next generation or take on an extra pair of hands without the full financial responsibility.

Apprentices can prove to be a valuable resource to a business for several reasons:

  • They are usually keen to learn and want to prove themselves to you, as you're investing in them as a person.
  • They can often bring fresh ideas to the business and keep the business up-to-date with things such as technology.
  • They are often loyal and enthusiastic.
  • You can often shape them to your business and methods.
  • The apprentice will often be working towards a National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) at the same time, so they will also benefit from new skills and knowledge.
  • It may be a better move financially for the business, and grants or part funding are often available too.

Where do I start?

A maze signifying confusion

If you think apprenticeships are the right route for you and your business, you can quite easily get the ball rolling by contacting the relevant agency.

England

In England, this is GOV.UK.

Scotland

Scotland's apprenticeships are managed by Apprenticeships.Scot.

Wales

Apprenticeships in Wales are managed by the Welsh Government.

Northern Ireland

To find out more about apprenticeships in Northern Ireland, check out NIBusinessInfo.co.uk.

How much are apprentices paid?

An apprentice rate is currently £6.40 per hour (correct as of January 2025), providing they are under 19 years of age.

For those aged 19 or over, the current apprentice rate is £6.40 during their first year, rising to the National Living Wage after their first year. For the current Living Wage Rates, please check the GOV.UK website.

How can I make the most out of an apprentice?

If an apprenticeship is done through a training agency, they're often appointed a mentor or an assessor (the relevant organisation for your area should be able to advise you on this). They are there for both you and the apprentice and should be able to help with any queries you have or put you in contact with someone who can help.

You should also try and establish goals and performance indications with the apprentice to ensure they are meeting the criteria of the apprenticeship itself. You will also need to ensure there's a term in your contract so that you can dismiss an apprentice for poor performance. Hopefully, you'll never require this, but it's worth having just in case. It's worth remembering, however, that in most situations, you can't make an apprentice redundant.

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