Employing an Apprentice

All apprenticeship agreements are governed by the Apprenticeships, Skills, Children and Learning Act 2009. In England, if you wish to take on a new statutory apprentice then you must follow these steps:

1. Choose an approved apprenticeship standard in your industry at a suitable level.

2. Find a training organisation that offers apprenticeships for your industry - they will deal with the apprentice’s training, qualification and assessment.

3. Advertise your apprenticeship.

4. Select your apprentice.

5. Enter into an approved English apprenticeship agreement with them.

You must always pay your apprentice at least minimum wage. Apprentices who are aged under 19, or are 19 and over and in the first year of their apprenticeship must be paid at least the apprentice rate of the national minimum wage (which is currently £4.81 per hour). Apprentices who are aged 19 or over that have completed the first year of their apprenticeship must be paid at least the national minimum wage or national living wage rate according to their age.

You must ensure that your apprentices work under the same conditions as your employees working at the same grade or role. This includes paid holidays, sick pay etc. Also, if an apprentice is dismissed as soon as they have completed their apprenticeship, then they may still have a claim for dismissal (provided they have two years’ continuous service). This means that if you do wish to dismiss them, then you will need to have a fair reason and follow the usual dismissal procedure.