3. Setting a starting wage

Apprentices are employed by you from day one, are paid a salary, receive benefits and are treated like any other employee. There is a national minimum wage for apprentices of £5.28 per hour from April 2023 which can apply to an apprentice under 19 or those aged 19 or over who are in their first year. Those aged 19 or over must then be paid at least the national minimum wage for their age once they have completed their first year.

We encourage you to be as competitive as possible when setting a starting wage for the apprenticeship. Like recruiting for any role, apprentices will look at what you have on offer in terms of role, training, conditions and pay to decide if they want to apply for your apprenticeship or not. Your role will also be in a marketplace of apprenticeships, sitting alongside those of other employers in your area so setting your wage is important to attract your target candidate for the apprenticeship.

4. Recruitment of an apprentice

Finding the right person is the most important part of the process. As with any recruitment advertising, you will need to write a job description that details the role on offer, the typical duties that will be carried out, the training you will provide and any qualifications, experience or interests that are required/desirable to be considered for the role. Equally, you need to sell your business, why you are a great place to work, the opportunities an apprentice can expect during the apprenticeship and the likely progression within the business once achieved.

We can help you with the recruitment process, posting the role on the ‘Find and apprenticeship’ website and (from 2023) the UCAS website. We also push the roles on our social media channels and at the school engagement events we do throughout the year. It is advisable for you to advertise the role and have a dedicated page on your website highlighting the apprenticeship opportunities available at your business – both past, present, and future. All applications can come via us and we can screen candidates based on your criteria and the funding rules. It is ultimately your choice as to who you employ so shortlisted candidates must pass through your interview process prior to being selected for the role.