Find out how apprenticeships work, and explore different ways to help your employees learn on the job.
As an employer, hiring an apprentice allows you to invest in the future by bringing in talent that fits your business needs. If you do not want to hire an apprentice, you can also upskill existing employees with other types of training, such as apprenticeship units.
Find out about the different types of training and choose what’s right for your business. You can search for apprenticeships and other training types on Find apprenticeship training.
An apprenticeship is a real job that helps people to earn while they learn, gaining valuable knowledge, skills and behaviours tailored to a specific job role. Apprentices, like any other employees, have a contract with you.
An apprenticeship must last at least 8 months. Some apprenticeship courses can be up to 6 years long, but the average is 2 years.
Apprentices will be trained by a training provider so they become competent in their role. They'll have to complete a certain number of hours of training. How many hours depends on the apprenticeship they're doing. Training is done during working hours - usually about a day a week or regular blocks of a week.
Apprentices will have an assessment at the end of their apprenticeship to prove they’re occupationally competent. They’ll get a recognised qualification.
Existing employees can do an apprenticeship, or you can hire someone new. They must be:
Apprenticeships can:
Apprenticeships are available between level 2 and level 7. The qualification and experience requirements get higher with each level.
No previous experience needed, equivalent to GCSE. Foundation apprenticeships are also set at level 2.
Might need some qualifications or experience, equivalent to A level.
Relevant qualifications and experience expected, equivalent to higher national certificate (HNC) or higher national diploma (HND).
Expert-level study in an industry, equivalent to university.
Foundation apprenticeships are set at level 2 and are designed to help young people get started in an industry.
They’re available across a range of sectors, including construction, engineering, digital and social care. No specific qualifications or experience are needed to apply.
Apprentices will be trained by a training provider to learn knowledge and skills for a range of jobs in a sector. They’ll also learn skills for employment, such as how to receive feedback, working as a team and professionalism.
Your apprentice will have to complete a certain number of hours of training. How many hours depends on the apprenticeship they're doing. Training is done during working hours - usually about a day a week or regular blocks of a week.
Foundation apprenticeships usually last 8 months. Apprentices will be assessed throughout to make sure they’re developing the knowledge, skills and behaviours needed.
After successfully completing a foundation apprenticeship, apprentices can specialise and progress onto a more advanced apprenticeship. If they progress, their experience will be taken into account, and they could finish their next apprenticeship in a shorter time.
Anyone aged 16 to 21 can do a foundation apprenticeship. They are also open to people aged 22 to 24 who:
Foundation apprenticeships can:
Apprenticeship units are short, flexible courses that help your employees develop the knowledge and skills your organisation needs.
They are not an apprenticeship, but the course content is based on existing apprenticeship courses. An apprenticeship unit can last between 1 and 16 weeks. You, your employee and the training provider will work on a plan for when and how the training will be done.
The courses are available in sectors where there are skills shortages in England. At the moment this includes artificial intelligence, engineering, and construction.
At the end of the apprenticeship unit, the leaner will do a skills test to show they’ve gained the knowledge and skills your organisation needs.
Only your current employees can do an apprenticeship unit. They must:
Apprenticeship units cannot be done at the same time as an apprenticeship.
Apprenticeship units can:
You can get government funding and support to help you deliver high‑quality apprenticeships and training. Find funding and support.
Each devolved nation has its own apprenticeship programmes, eligibility criteria, and funding rules. It's important to note that the apprenticeship standards used in England may differ from the frameworks used in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Learn about apprenticeships in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
