Employer FAQs

When hiring a new apprentice, your role is to identify someone who has the potential to succeed in your organisation, even if they don’t yet have all the skills and experience required for the role. Apprenticeships are designed to develop knowledge and skills over time, so qualities such as attitude, motivation, resilience and cultural fit are often just as important as technical ability. 

At Apprentify, we take the time to understand your business, values and hiring requirements before sourcing and screening candidates. We then present applicants who we believe have the potential to thrive within your organisation. 

As the employer, you’ll be responsible for selecting the candidate who is the best fit for your team, providing day-to-day support and helping them gain valuable workplace experience. Apprentify will support their learning and development throughout the programme, ensuring they build the skills needed to succeed in their role. 

When an existing employee starts an apprenticeship, your role is to support them as they develop new skills and apply their learning within the workplace. This includes providing opportunities to put new knowledge into practice and dedicated time for their learnings, setting clear expectations and giving regular feedback throughout the programme. 

Unlike a new apprentice hire, your employee already understands your business and role requirements. The focus is therefore on helping them develop new capabilities that will benefit both their career and your organisation. 

Apprentify will provide a dedicated Development Coach to support the learner’s progress, coordinate regular reviews and ensure the apprenticeship remains aligned to both business objectives and individual development goals. The most successful apprenticeships are a partnership between the employer, learner and Apprentify. 

Just like any other employee, you pay your apprentice directly. If the apprentice is a new hire, you are also responsible for giving your apprentice their contract of employment. 

No. While apprentices must be at least 16 years old, there is no upper age limit for undertaking an apprenticeship. Apprenticeships are a valuable way to develop skills at any stage of a career, whether you’re recruiting new talent or upskilling existing employees. 

At Apprentify, our apprentices range from 16-year-olds starting their careers to experienced professionals looking to develop new skills later in life. In fact, our oldest apprentice is 69 years old, demonstrating that apprenticeships can be an effective route for learning and development at any age. 

Employers recruiting younger apprentices may also be eligible for additional government support designed to encourage investment in early-career talent. Our team can advise on any funding or incentives available when discussing your requirements. 

Off the job training refers to the 20% of an apprentice’s contracted working hours that are set aside for apprenticeship-related learning and development. Aside from the fixed training days, we can work with you to optimise the hours your apprentice does this work. As long as you have made us aware of your business needs, we will work with you to plan coaching/work sessions around your diary requirements.  

Apprenticeships vary in length depending on the programme and qualification level. At Apprentify, most apprenticeship programmes run for a minimum of 8 months while completing a minimum amount of off the job hours (dependent on qualification, prior learning experience, with some lasting longer depending on the learning outcomes. 

We also offer shorter Apprenticeship Units, such as our AI Strategy and Opportunity programme, which can be completed in as little as 9 weeks. 

Whether your apprentice is a new hire or an existing employee developing their skills, managing them is much like managing any other member of your team. They’ll need clear goals, regular feedback and opportunities to put their learning into practice.  

As their employer, you’ll play an important role in supporting their development, helping them apply new skills in the workplace and providing guidance throughout the programme. Apprentify complements this with a dedicated Development Coach who works with both the learner and employer, helping track progress, coordinate reviews and ensure the apprenticeship delivers value for everyone involved.  

Yes. Apprentices are employed by your organisation and are treated like any other member of your workforce. They will have an employment contract, receive a salary and be entitled to the same workplace benefits and protections as other employees. 

While Apprentify delivers the training and supports their development throughout the programme, you remain their employer and are responsible for their day-to-day role and employment. 

The cost of an apprenticeship depends on a number of factors, including the apprenticeship programme, your organisation’s size and whether you pay the Apprenticeship Levy.  

For the latest guidance on apprenticeship funding, please visit:  

Funding an apprenticeship for non-levy employers: https://www.apprenticeships.gov.uk/employers/funding-an-apprenticeship-non-levy 

Funding for an apprentice for employers paying the Apprenticeship levy: https://www.gov.uk/employing-an-apprentice/get-funding 

For the latest details on national minimum wage, please visit: https://www.gov.uk/national-minimum-wage-rates 

Starting an apprentice involves some administrative and funding-related documentation, but our team handles the process from start to finish. We’ll explain exactly what’s required, support you with any forms and ensure everything is in place before the apprenticeship begins.