Employing an Apprentice

Employing an Apprentice is just like employing any other member of staff; they only become an Apprentice once they have signed up onto an Apprenticeship programme with a Training Provider like Total People.

The way you advertise, interview and employ an apprentice is entirely up to you, ensuring you get the right person for your organisation.

There are a few aspects that all employers must guarantee when employing an apprentice:

  • They should be employed for 30 hours per week and have a contract of employment
  • You must provide a safe and healthy working environment
  • You are required to release the Apprentice for their training (as required by their training plan)

How to find an Apprentice

Finding an Apprentice is exactly the same as finding any other member of your team.

You may decide to advertise through one or several of the following ways:

  • Local or national newspapers
  • Job Centre Plus
  • Trade magazines
  • Word of mouth
  • Apprenticeship Vacancies

Apprenticeship Vacancies

Apprenticeship Vacancies is a national initiative supported by the government and is the Apprenticeship “one stop shop” for individuals to search and apply for Apprenticeships.

It allows employers to place vacancies to be marketed to the widest possible audience at no cost.

Before a vacancy is placed onto Apprenticeship Vacancies employers must be linked to a Training Provider like Total People.

This is done automatically by submitting your vacancy to Total People using the Apprenticeship Vacancies form.

By completing the Apprenticeship Vacancies form Total People will be able to:

  • place the vacancy on the Apprenticeship Vacancies website
  • work with you to filter the applications
  • process all successful and unsuccessful applications
  • help you with interviewing the candidates

Start using Apprenticeship Vacancies now.

How much do you have to pay an Apprentice?

How much you pay an Apprentice is entirely up to you, as it is for any of your other employees.

However, the minimum you must pay them is defined by HM Revenue & Customs which as from 1st October 2011 is as follows:

  • For Apprentices aged under 19: £2.60 per hour
  • For Apprentices aged 19 and over, but in the first year of their apprenticeship: £2.60 per hour

Once an Apprentice is 21 or over and not in the first year of their apprenticeship then they are eligible for the adult national minimum wage.

For more information on this please visit the HM Revenue & Customs’ website.