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What are the steps for hiring an apprentice in a larger company?

The steps to employing an apprentice

As a large employer there are some steps you need to take when looking to train and employ an apprentice.

Now you know what is needed

You can watch the video below on how to set up an apprenticeship service account. Use the button below the video to open the gov.uk website.
Register account

What funding is available from the government?

Employers can claim a £1,000 payment for all new 16-18 year-old apprentices (and those aged under 25 with an Education, Health and Care Plan, where that applies).

Government funding
Recruitment steps

Training young apprentices

There is no doubt that taking on an apprentice will be different to recruiting someone who has some experience in the role you are recruiting for. You must remember that the training is a partnership with the training provider and you the employer. The reality is the more training and support you are able to provide the apprentice the more successful the apprentice will be and in turn add real value to your business. This is also a great opportunity for your current skilled team to coach and mentor someone.

Off-the-job training

Will be delivered by a training provider during your apprentice's normal working hours. This training will teach your apprentice the knowledge, skills and behaviours set out in the apprenticeship standard so they can achieve occupational competence. 

20% of the time spent by the apprentice should be off the Job training however it’s important to understand what constitutes to off the Job training. The training completed by the training provider is classed as off the job, but if you can answer yes to these questions then this is also classed as off the job 

  • Is the activity directly relevant to the apprenticeship?
  • Is the activity teaching new knowledge, skills and behaviours? 
  • Is the learning taking place in the apprentice's paid working hours?

On-the-job training

Will be delivered by you, as your apprentice's employer. You'll need to give the apprentice training and supervision to help them perform the work you've hired them for.

There clearly will be some time investment that needs to be made from you or a member of your team, so to help with this all employers will receive £1,000 if, at the start of the apprenticeship, the apprentice is:

  • between 16 and 18 years old (or 15 years old if the apprentice's 16th birthday is between the last Friday of June and 31 August)
  • between 19 and 24 years old and has either an Education, Health and Care (EHC) plan provided by their local authority or has been in the care of their local authority

This payment will be paid to you in two equal instalments, 3 months and 12 months into the apprenticeship, through your training provider.

Due to the current pandemic the government has made new incentives available to employers looking to employ an apprentice.

Click the icon below for more information

Current incentives now available

Available funding for apprentices aged 16-18: £1,000 

£1,000 payment for all new 16-18 year-old apprentices (and those aged under 25 with an Education, Health and Care Plan, where that applies).

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Flexi-job apprenticeship will allow agencies to be the apprentice’s employer for the duration of their apprenticeship while placing the apprentice with other host employers for short term placements. This will enable apprentices to move between businesses as they complete their apprenticeship, while remaining employed throughout by the agency.

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PAYE is HM Revenue and Customs’ (HMRC) system to collect Income Tax and National Insurance from employment. More information are available here