Taking on an apprentice is one of the most effective ways for businesses in England to build skills and strengthen their workforce. However, many employers still ask: can any company offer an apprenticeship?
The answer is yes! Most businesses in England can offer an apprenticeship if they can provide appropriate supervision, paid employment and support alongside an approved training provider. For many, taking on an apprentice follows a similar process to hiring any other employee, just with additional training and development support built into the role.
Apprenticeships are also available in other parts of the UK but follow a different system. See the government apprenticeship website for links to each nation.
Can any company offer an apprenticeship?
Before taking on an apprentice, there are a few essential things every employer needs to consider:
- Legal obligations: Ensure your business complies with apprenticeship regulations, including contracts, pay rates and working hours
- Workplace readiness: Have a structured role, clear tasks and a supportive environment that allows apprentices to learn effectively
- Mentorship: Assign a line manager or supervisor who can guide the apprentice through both practical and soft skills development
- Resources and tools: Make sure apprentices have access to the equipment, software and systems they’ll need to do their job
- Training alignment: Ensure the apprenticeship programme (like Damar’s structured apprenticeships) aligns with your business goals and that you can sufficiently support the required number of off-the-job training hours needed on the chosen programme.
Sound familiar? That’s because the main requirements for taking on an apprentice are the same as traditional hiring routes. There are no special measures that need to be taken; just a commitment to supporting a member of staff, either existing or new, through the apprenticeship programme.
If you’d like to dive deeper into this section, visit our guide on the apprenticeship rules for employers.
Next steps for taking on an apprentice
Once you have considered the above, there are some practical next steps to take.
- Decide which apprenticeship standard you will be hiring for or upskilling through
- Confirm your partnership with a training provider who offers that standard and aligns with your business goals
- Set your organisation up on the Digital Apprenticeship Service
- Complete the hiring process
- Welcome your apprentice!
Why taking on an apprentice is important for your business
The traditional view of apprenticeships is that you’re giving someone their first job. While this is sometimes true, they’re so much more than this. They are a way for individuals to develop, to attain, and to continue learning while working.
- Future-proof your workforce: Apprenticeships give employees hands-on experience with the skills your business needs to continue growing and succeeding by immersing them in your specific culture and values
- Boost productivity: Apprentices in training can take on meaningful responsibilities while learning, helping your teams develop and run more efficiently
- Fill skills gaps: Apprenticeships allow you to mould talent specifically for your company’s processes and culture to fill identified gaps
- Employee retention: Offering structured learning and growth opportunities helps keep talent engaged and loyal.
Employers who bring in apprentices are actively investing in their workforce while creating a pipeline of skilled, committed employees. Whether you’re looking to hire externally or upskill existing staff, apprenticeships provide a strategic way to strengthen your team.
How to choose the right apprentice for your business
Choosing the right apprentice or existing staff to upskill makes all the difference. Here’s how to approach it strategically:
- Define your goals: Are you hiring to fill a skills gap, build future leaders, or upskill current employees?
- Match skills to business needs: Look for candidates with potential, motivation, and values aligned with your company culture
- Partner with a training provider: Choosing the correct training provider ensures the programme is structured, compliant and tailored to your business
- Consider internal upskilling: Apprenticeships aren’t just for new hires; existing staff can benefit from structured training, helping your business grow internally.
The right apprentice can transform your team, bring fresh ideas and help your business thrive long-term. With guidance and support from Damar Training, the process becomes simple, effective and rewarding.
Apprenticeships costs, funding and the Apprenticeship Levy
If you’re new to apprenticeships, your next big question is likely to be around financial incentives and how the training is funded. Employers with an annual payroll of over £3 million pay the Growth and Skills Levy (previously known as the apprenticeship levy), which provides a dedicated financial resource for you to spend on apprenticeship training.
The good news is we have several support articles and guidance for you to access where you can learn more about how to calculate the apprenticeship levy, how to use your levy effectively, and what is the apprenticeship levy. You are also welcome to contact us directly to discuss your requirements.
Companies that don’t pay the levy, use co-investment. This means that the government funds 100% of apprenticeship training costs for apprentices aged under 25 and 95% of training costs for apprentices 25 and over.
Frequently asked questions about taking on an apprentice
Q. What are the requirements for taking on an apprentice in England
A. You’ll need an account on the apprenticeship service, an agreement with a training provider who offers the apprenticeship standard you want to provide and the internal structure to be able to provide a safe and supportive workplace for an apprentice.
Q. Do apprentices need to be new employees?
A. No. Apprentices can be new employees, but existing employees may also be eligible for the purposes of upskilling.
Q. Can small businesses offer apprenticeships?
Yes. Many of the organisations we work with at Damar are small to medium-sized businesses, and non-levy payers. The only consideration for a small business to make is whether they can properly and effectively support an apprentice through the full length of the programme.
Q. What types of businesses can offer apprenticeships?
Most businesses in England can offer apprenticeships, regardless of size or sector. From SMEs to large corporations, opportunities exist across industries such as finance, legal, construction, healthcare and travel. The key is ensuring your business can offer structured roles, ongoing support, and aligned training. With the right setup, apprenticeships can work in almost any environment.
Q. How much does it cost to take on an apprentice in England?
Taking on an apprentice is often more affordable than many employers expect. Government funding covers most, if not all, of the training costs depending on the size of your business and the age of your apprentice. Read more about the latest changes to apprenticeship funding or contact us directly to discuss.
Next Steps
At Damar Training, we are passionate about removing barriers and helping employers navigate the apprenticeship process to ensure it feels simple, manageable and beneficial for both your team and your bottom line.
Get in touch to discuss what this might look like for your organisation.