Employer FAQs

What is an apprenticeship agreement?

An apprenticeship agreement is a formal contract between the apprentice and the employer. It outlines important details, including the role the apprentice is employed in, the Apprenticeship Standard they are working towards, and the training they will receive both on and off the job.

What is a commitment statement?

The commitment statement is a three-party agreement between the apprentice, employer, and training provider. It outlines the expectations and responsibilities of each party to ensure the apprenticeship leads to a successful outcome.

Do employers get paid for taking on an apprentice?

Cash incentives are available for companies that hire apprentices. If you hire an apprentice who is aged 16-18 or under 25 with an Education, Health and Care plan (or who has been in the care of their local authority), you may be eligible for up to £1,000 from the government.

How many hours does an apprentice work?

Apprentices are required to work a minimum of 30 hours per week, including time spent at both their work placement and training centre or college.

Does an apprentice have to be supervised at all times?

There are no strict rules prohibiting apprentices from being left unsupervised. However, an apprentice must have received adequate training and guidance to confidently perform their job role before being left unsupervised in the workplace.

How long does an apprenticeship take to complete?

The length of apprenticeships varies depending on the Apprenticeship Standard and the training provider. However, all apprenticeships must last at least twelve months, with some longer courses extending up to five years.

Can part-time employees do an apprenticeship?

Yes, in this case, we would adjust the duration of their apprenticeship using a set formula outlined in the government funding rules.

How and what do I pay an apprentice?

You will pay the apprentice directly, as you would any other employee. We typically advise paying an apprentice in our sector a minimum of £14,000 per year. From April 2025, the National Minimum Wage for an apprentice is £7.55 per hour.

What is the age requirements for an apprentice?

Apprentices can be of any age, provided they are over 16. Our apprentices range from those just starting their careers at 16 - 19 to those making a career change at 54, demonstrating that it's never too early or too late to begin an apprenticeship.

What are the costs of taking on an apprentice?

All apprenticeship programmes are funded by the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA). Levy employers will have the cost deducted from their levy account, while non-levy employers will have 95% of the costs covered by the government, with the remaining 5% paid by the employer as a co-investment fee. If your apprentice is between 16-19 years old, there is no co-investment fee, meaning the apprenticeship is 100% government-funded.

As the employer, you will be responsible for covering the cost of employing the apprentice, including their salary, work tools, equipment, and any other related expenses.

What does off the job training mean?

Off-the-job training represents 20% of an apprentice's time, focused on developing the skills and knowledge required for their apprenticeship. Beyond the set training days, we’ll work closely with you to make the most of this time, ensuring it fits seamlessly with your business needs. By aligning with your schedule, we can plan coaching and training sessions that support both the apprentice’s learning and your operational requirements.

What is the ITP's recruitment process?

The ITP offers a range of recruitment solutions tailored to meet your business needs. In line with our commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, we strive to make our recruitment processes as unbiased and inclusive as possible, ensuring fairness at every stage.

Our recruitment solutions are designed to meet the diverse needs of your business, offering a range of options from basic to enhanced and premium services.

Basic
The ITP will collaborate with you to create a job description, advertise the position on the National Apprenticeship Service website, our website, and across multiple job boards. We’ll sift through initial applications and send the shortlisted candidates for your review.

Enhanced
In addition to the basic services, we will expand our search by engaging with schools, colleges, local councils, charities, and training organisations. We provide weekly updates, CV screening, and telephone interviews. Shortlisted candidates will be sent with their CV and background specification. We’ll also arrange interviews, prepare candidates, and provide support with offers, onboarding, and employment contract advice.

Premium
All services from the enhanced package are included, plus a Virtual or Face-to-Face Assessment Centre. At the assessment centres, candidates will complete various tasks, engage in group activities, give a presentation, and participate in interviews. We will work with you to identify your preferred candidate, gather feedback on any unsuitable candidates, and assist with finalising contractual arrangements.

Can I upskill my existing staff?

Yes, apprenticeships are a great way to upskill your existing employees and fill key skill gaps in your business. They can help boost employee motivation, improve retention, and provide employees with the opportunity to gain formal qualifications in their area of expertise.

Apprenticeships are available at all levels, from intermediate to degree level.

Consider your skills strategy—do you have any skills gaps, new managers, or retention challenges? If so, apprenticeships could be the solution.

Do I have to give my apprentice a contract of employment?

The employer can offer a fixed term or a permanent contract. A fixed term contract allows you the option of employing them at the end of their apprenticeship. Some companies guarantee a permanent position at the end of the apprenticeship, but the decision is yours. However, keeping the apprentice within the organisation is one of the key benefits – allowing you to reap the longer term rewards of your investment.

What if it doesn't work out with an apprentice?

ITP have a rigorous recruitment programme in place to avoid this happening but unfortunately, some apprenticeships just don't work out.

It could be that the apprentice decides to leave the role for personal reasons such as family, health or financial challenges, or due to dissatisfaction with the workload, quality of teaching or their job role.

Alternatively, the employer may be unhappy with the performance of the apprentice, or be forced to consider redundancies within the business due to financial issues.

Ultimately, apprentices who are employed under an apprenticeship agreement are subject to the same terms and conditions as any other employee. This means that they can be dismissed in the same way as any other employee within the company.

We will work with you to find a replacement and the right apprentice for your business.