How Do Apprenticeships Work? Amazing Benefits, Types and More
The 2024–2025 academic year shows 284,190 new apprenticeship starts in the UK—up 2% from the same period the previous year. It was even more for higher apprenticeships, a rise of 11% from 100,490 to 111,520.
Apprenticeships can offer an excellent opportunity for people looking to enter the workforce for the first time or those who want to retrain in a new industry. As an employer, it’s important to understand the different types of apprenticeships and how they work if you’re hiring for them in your workforce.
In this guide, we’ll explore the key things you need to know about how apprenticeships work, their benefits, and much more.
Key takeaways
- Federal minimum wage in the US as of 2025 is $7.25 for nonexempt workers, and has been the same since 2009.
- Minimum wage can vary depending on which state your business is based in.
- The minimum wage is higher than the federal requirement in 30 states across the US.
What is an apprenticeship program?
Apprenticeships allow people to gain experience while studying. It’s a vocational route, offering an alternative to the academic pathways of higher education.
Apprentices often work with experienced professionals to learn from their expertise. While they will spend a portion of their time working vocationally, they’ll also spend time studying at educational establishments such as colleges, universities, or training providers.
Whilst working and learning, they can earn a salary and gain valuable experience for their CV while working towards an industry-recognised apprenticeship qualification.
How do apprenticeships work?
Apprentices work full-time for a minimum of 30 hours a week, with normally four days at work and one day at school. You can employ apprentices from the age of 16.
As an employer, you’ll be responsible for providing them with work and organising their education and apprenticeship qualification through an approved organisation—for example, a college or university.
You’ll be able to apply for funding to support your apprenticeship program, so the cost of training and resources doesn’t come directly out of your company’s pocket.
At your organisation, you’ll need to ensure apprentices work alongside experienced professionals who can guide them in gaining practical skills and developing in real-life working contexts.
How to employ an apprentice
There’s plenty of guidance and support out there if you’re looking to start an apprenticeship program. Depending on your business, industry, and what you’re looking for, the process of hiring an apprentice may differ. However, here are the key steps:
- Find the type of apprenticeship that suits your business.
- Find a suitable organisation to support the apprenticeship training you’ve chosen.
- Check what funding you’re eligible for and apply.
- Create your employer account on the government apprenticeship hub to track funding and manage applications.
- Advertise for and hire your apprentice. You can also ask your chosen education organisation to do this for you.
How do I pay an apprentice?
You must pay your apprentices at least the National Minimum Wage; however, it is up to you as their employer exactly how much you pay them above this. Their rate of pay will also depend on their age and the year of their apprenticeship they’ve completed.
As an employer, you’re responsible for paying their salary and creating their contract of employment, just like any other employee. You’ll need to state here how much they will be paid and for what hours. Both parties will also need to sign an apprenticeship agreement.
Types and levels of apprenticeships
The types of apprenticeships can be categorised by level, as follows:
Level 2
GCSE equivalent
Level 3–2
A-Level equivalent
Level 4–5
First year or a degree or a foundation degree equivalent
Level 6–7
Lead to bachelor’s or master’s degree
Benefits of apprenticeships
There are benefits of apprenticeships for both the employer and employee. Below, we look at some advantages of starting an apprenticeship program, for both your business and future apprentices:
Employers
- Improves retention and boosts productivity through providing personalised training.
- Addresses skills gaps by developing existing talent. This can help improve specific skills relevant to business needs.
- Reduces recruitment costs by training new staff internally. You can apply for funding to help support your apprenticeship program, so training doesn’t affect your bottom line.
- Builds a motivated, loyal workforce with up-to-date industry knowledge. By either hiring existing or external staff as apprentices, you can cultivate training specific to your business and industry.
- Strengthens your company’s reputation for supporting professional development, especially for younger employees.
Apprentices
- Helps them gain first-hand experience while earning a salary. It provides a good option for those who want to take a more vocational educational route.
- Allows them to work towards nationally recognised qualifications with no tuition fees.
- Encourages people to develop valuable life and employability skills. The balance of practical employment and study helps them build both soft and hard skills.
- Apprentices learn directly from experienced professionals in real working environments, providing vital industry and workplace experience.
- Programs provide ongoing support from both employers and training providers, ensuring apprentices have a balanced support network.
- Apprenticeships can boost long-term career prospects and open pathways to higher-level study or employment.
Apprenticeships FAQs
How can people apply for apprenticeships?
To apply for apprenticeships, people will look for an industry or qualification type that interests them. As an employer, you need to be able to position yourself well in the market, so you’re visible to people actively searching for apprenticeships. As well as doing this yourself, your chosen training organisation can create job adverts for you and help position your business as a viable option for apprentices.
What qualifications can people get with an apprenticeship?
The qualifications apprentices can get include:
- Level 2 (equivalent to GCSEs) to Level 7 (equivalent to a master's degree)
- Advanced (Level 3/A-levels)
- Higher (Level 4 or 5/foundation degree)
- Degree (Level 6 or 7) apprenticeships.
They may also earn:
- Vocational and technical qualifications
- National vocational qualifications (NVQs)
- Functional skills qualifications.
What are the working hours for apprentices?
The normal working hours for apprentices are usually 30 hours or more for full-time. Those with fewer hours are considered part-time. Those who are part-time need to spend at least six hours a week on training. Keep this in mind when planning work for apprentices to ensure you’re staying compliant with working regulations.
What qualifications do people need to become an apprentice?
Not all apprenticeships require qualifications, though, as with any job application, you will be able to specify the qualifications your apprentices will need. Commonly, post-high school programs ask for a minimum of an English and Maths GCSE, plus any specific qualifications relevant to the apprenticeship itself. The more advanced the apprenticeship, the higher the qualifications often are.
Next steps: Bring apprentices into your workforce
Each apprenticeship program will differ depending on your business needs and industry. It may be that you wish to hire and train existing employees under an apprenticeship scheme, or start a completely new program for new graduates. Whatever apprenticeship qualification type you pick, the next step will be to ensure the organisation you choose is relevant to your business.
Research and create contracts of employment and apprenticeship agreements that are both fair and legal. BambooHR® can help you create and manage employee contracts and records, whether they’re full-time or part-time apprentices. Stay on top of important documents, so you can focus on providing people with tailored training and development.