Apprenticeships

Employer Information

Apprentices

Apprentices are aged 16 or over and combine working with studying to gain skills and knowledge in a specific job.

Apprentices can be new or current employees.

You can get government funding to cover some of the cost of training and assessing an apprentice if you’re in England.

You must pay the apprentice at least the minimum wage

Your apprentice must:

  • work with experienced staff
  • learn job-specific skills
  • study during their working week (for example, at a college or training organisation

 

Government's Guide to Apprenticeships 

 

Hiring Your Apprentice

There are several steps to taking on an apprentice.

  1. Choose an apprenticeships framework or standard for an apprenticeship in your industry and at a suitable level.
  2. Find an organisation that offers training for the apprenticeship framework or standard you’ve chosen.
  3. Check what funding is available.
  4. Advertise your apprenticeship - your training organisation will do this for you through the find an apprenticeship service.
  5. Select your apprentice and make an apprenticeship agreement and commitment statement with them.

You can use the IRRV apprenticeship training agency if you want to employ an apprentice who will oversee the responsibility for running the apprenticeship scheme.
Apprenticeships combine practical training in a job with study.

As an apprentice you’ll:

  • work alongside experienced staff
  • gain job-specific skills
  • earn a wage and get holiday pay
  • get time for study related to your role (usually one day a week)

 

How Long It Lasts

Apprenticeships must last for at least a year. They can last up to 5 years depending on the level the apprentice is studying. We anticipate that the IRRV Level 4 apprenticeship will take between 12 to 18 months to complete.

 

Levels of Apprenticeship

Apprenticeships have equivalent educational levels.

Name

Level

Equivalent educational level

Intermediate

 2

GCSE

Advanced

 3

A level

Higher

 4,5,6 and 7

Foundation degree and above

Degree

 6 and 7

Bachelor’s or master’s degree

 

Who Can Apply

You can apply for an apprenticeship while you’re still at school. To start one, you’ll need to be:

  • 16 or over by the end of the summer holidays
  • living in England
  • not in full-time education

 

How to apply

There are 3 steps to applying for an apprenticeship.

  1. Search for an apprenticeship.
  2. Sign in or create an account.
  3. Complete and submit your application

 

Employers Guide to Apprenticeships

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/apprenticeships-guide-for-employers?utm_source=186b1738-01ac-43f1-b6fb-68dbec630d15&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=govuk-notifications&utm_content=daily

 

Apprenticeship Funding - Rules and Guidance for Employers

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/apprenticeship-funding-rules-2018-to-2019? 

 

Key facts you should know about the Apprenticeship Levy

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/key-facts-you-should-know-about-the-apprenticeship-levy

 

Apprenticeship Agreement

At the beginning of an apprenticeship, the employer must complete an apprenticeship agreement with the apprentice. Guidance and an agreement template can be found here.

 

Apprenticeships - Government Guide to 'Off the Job' Training Activities

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/apprenticeships-off-the-job-training?utm_source=7198c9ba-9064-476c-a7d0-40034d59e77e&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=govuk-notifications&utm_content=daily

 

For more information please contact the Apprenticeship employer helpline

Email: nationalhelpdesk@apprenticeships.gov.uk

Telephone: 0800 0150 600