How to Recruit an Apprentice: Employer Costs, Benefits and FAQs

Recruitment remains a challenge for many employers. Skills shortages, rising hiring costs, retention concerns, and pressure to build future skills are all shaping workforce decisions across the UK.

For many organisations, apprenticeships offer a practical and cost-effective way to recruit new talent, strengthen teams, and develop the skills the business needs for long-term success.

Whether you’re looking to fill an entry-level vacancy, build a future talent pipeline, or bring fresh skills into your organisation, recruiting an apprentice can be a smart investment.

At Intec Business Colleges, we support employers across England with free end-to-end apprenticeship recruitment support, helping businesses attract, shortlist, and onboard the right candidates while navigating apprenticeship funding options.

Why are more employers recruiting apprentices?

Apprenticeships are no longer viewed solely as an entry route for school leavers. Employers across sectors are increasingly using apprenticeships as part of wider workforce planning and recruitment strategies.

This shift is being driven by several factors:

• ongoing skills shortages across key sectors
• increased pressure to recruit cost-effectively
• a greater focus on internal progression and succession planning
• changing employer funding rules and apprenticeship flexibility
• the need to develop workforce skills in a structured way
• National Insurance savings when employing apprentices under the age of 25
• reduced recruitment costs compared with some traditional hiring methods

For many employers, apprenticeships can also provide valuable financial efficiencies. Employers are not required to pay employer National Insurance contributions for eligible apprentices under the age of 25, provided they are enrolled on an approved apprenticeship standard.

Based on average salaries, incorporating apprenticeships into your recruitment strategy could save employers up to £2,311 per employee in employer National Insurance contributions. For SMEs and growing businesses, these savings can support recruitment budgets while helping organisations invest in future skills and workforce development.

 

What is an apprenticeship?

An apprenticeship is a job with structured training that enables individuals to develop practical skills, knowledge, and behaviours relevant to a specific role while working within a business.

Employers recruit apprentices as employees, meaning they contribute to the organisation while completing their learning programme.

Government funding may be available to support training costs, making apprenticeships an attractive option for businesses looking to invest in talent development while managing recruitment spend.

What are the benefits of hiring an apprentice?

Cost-effective recruitment

Recruitment costs continue to rise, particularly when using agencies, advertising platforms, or repeat hiring campaigns.

Apprenticeships can offer a more affordable route into recruitment, with government funding helping offset training costs depending on employer size and funding status.

For many employers, this makes apprenticeships a commercially attractive option compared with traditional recruitment routes.

Build talent around your business

When you recruit experienced hires, they often bring habits and processes from previous employers.

Apprentices offer the opportunity to develop talent around your organisation’s systems, culture, customer expectations, and operational standards from the outset.

This can help create stronger long-term alignment.

Fill skills gaps

Many employers face challenges recruiting for administration, customer service, junior project management, operations, and specialist support roles.

Apprenticeships provide a structured way to bring in new talent and develop the exact skills your business needs.

This is particularly valuable where skills shortages make experienced recruitment more competitive or expensive.

Strengthen retention

Retention remains a major concern for employers.

Employees who are invested in through structured learning and development often demonstrate stronger engagement and loyalty.

Apprenticeships can help organisations create clearer progression routes, which may support longer-term retention.

Increase productivity

Apprentices contribute to day-to-day business operations while learning.

As confidence and skills grow, apprentices can take on increasing responsibility, supporting teams and contributing measurable value.

Government research has consistently shown that many employers report improved productivity through apprenticeship programmes.

Support succession planning

Forward-thinking organisations use apprenticeships to help build future skills.

Whether you’re planning for future team leaders, operational support roles, or wider workforce growth, apprenticeships can support succession planning and reduce reliance on reactive hiring.

Bring fresh perspectives into the business

New talent often brings fresh ideas, digital confidence, and different perspectives.

For many organisations, apprentices can positively influence innovation, communication, and ways of working.

 

Looking to recruit an apprentice?

Intec Business Colleges provides free apprenticeship recruitment support for employers across England.

Our team can help you:

• promote your apprenticeship vacancy
• attract suitable applicants
• shortlist candidates
• support the interview process
• guide you through apprenticeship funding options
• help you onboard your new apprentice

Speak to our team about recruiting an apprentice today

How much does it cost to hire an apprentice?

One of the most common employer questions is around cost.

The answer depends on your organisation’s size, funding status, and the apprenticeship programme selected.

Typical employer costs may include:

Salary

Apprentices are employees and must be paid at least the applicable apprenticeship minimum wage.

As of April 2026, the National Minimum Wage rates are:

• £12.71 per hour for employees aged 21 and over
• £10.85 per hour for employees aged 18 to 20
• £8.00 per hour for employees under 18
• £8.00 per hour for apprentices under 19, or those aged 19 and over in the first year of their apprenticeship

Once an apprentice aged 19 or over completes the first year of their apprenticeship, they must be paid the minimum wage rate for their age group.

Many employers also choose to pay above minimum wage rates to remain competitive and attract strong candidates.

Apprenticeships can still offer a cost-effective recruitment route for employers, particularly when combined with available government funding support and potential National Insurance savings for eligible apprentices under the age of 25.

Training costs

Training costs may be fully or partially funded depending on your circumstances.

This generally depends on:

• whether you’re a levy-paying employer
• whether you’re a non-levy employer
• the apprenticeship programme selected
• available government funding arrangements

As apprenticeship funding evolves, employers should seek up-to-date guidance relevant to their situation.

Read our article around the latest Government funding updates

Recruitment costs

Traditional recruitment can involve agency fees, advertising spend, and internal resource.

Working with a provider offering recruitment support can significantly reduce this cost.

At Intec, our apprenticeship recruitment support service is free for employers.

Can small businesses recruit apprentices?

Yes.

Small and medium-sized businesses regularly recruit apprentices across a wide range of sectors and job roles.

Apprenticeships can be particularly valuable for SMEs because they offer a structured, affordable way to build skills without relying solely on experienced external hires.

For smaller employers, funding arrangements may make apprenticeships especially accessible.

Common SME apprenticeship recruitment areas include:

• business administration
• customer service
• junior project management
• operations
• learning and development
• data and digital roles

How long does it take to recruit an apprentice?

Recruitment timelines vary depending on role type, applicant availability, and business requirements.

A typical apprenticeship recruitment process may take several weeks from vacancy creation to onboarding.

Working with an apprenticeship provider can help streamline this process through:

• vacancy promotion
• candidate attraction
• screening and shortlisting
• funding guidance
• onboarding coordination

If you have an urgent hiring requirement, discussing timelines early can help identify the best approach.

How does apprenticeship recruitment work?

The process is often simpler than employers expect.

A typical process includes:

1. Define your vacancy

Identify the role, responsibilities, skills required, and where the apprentice will fit within the team.

2. Choose the right apprenticeship programme

The apprenticeship should align with the job role and business objectives.

3. Advertise the vacancy

This may include apprenticeship platforms, provider networks, and wider recruitment channels.

4. Review and shortlist candidates

Assess applications, suitability, motivation, and role fit.

5. Interview and select

Choose the candidate who best matches your organisation’s needs.

6. Confirm funding and onboarding

Ensure all apprenticeship arrangements are in place before programme launch.

7. Begin employment and training

The apprentice starts their role while completing structured learning.

Why work with Intec Business Colleges?

Recruiting an apprentice should not feel complicated.

At Intec, we help employers simplify the process with practical, hands-on support.

Our employer recruitment service includes:

• free end-to-end recruitment support
• candidate attraction and promotion
• shortlisting assistance
• apprenticeship funding guidance
• onboarding support
• access to apprenticeship programmes aligned to business needs

We work with employers across England to help build workforce skills through high-quality apprenticeship recruitment and delivery.

If you’re exploring apprenticeships as part of your recruitment strategy, our team is here to help.

Get in touch with Intec today to discuss your apprenticeship recruitment needs

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. How do I recruit an apprentice?

Recruiting an apprentice typically involves defining the role, selecting the appropriate apprenticeship programme, advertising the vacancy, interviewing candidates, and completing onboarding and funding arrangements. Working with an apprenticeship provider can make this process more efficient.

Q. How much does it cost to recruit an apprentice?

Costs vary depending on salary, training funding arrangements, and recruitment approach. Many employers can access government funding support for training, and providers like Intec offer free recruitment support.

Q. Are apprentices worth hiring?

For many employers, yes. Apprentices can help fill skills gaps, improve productivity, strengthen succession planning, and provide a cost-effective recruitment route.

Q. Can existing employees become apprentices?

Yes.

Apprenticeships are not limited to new hires. Many employers use apprenticeship programmes to develop existing employees, strengthen junior project management capability, or support progression.

What roles can apprentices be recruited into?

Apprenticeships support a wide range of roles, including:

• business administration

• customer service
• junior project management
• operations
• learning and development
• data and digital roles

Q. How long does an apprenticeship last?

Programme length depends on the apprenticeship standard and role, but many apprenticeships run for 12 months or longer.

Q. Do employers receive funding for apprenticeships?

Employers receive funding towards training costs through their Levy account or direct funding support through the provider if they are a non-levy paying employer. It’s important to note that funding rules can change, so it’s important to seek current guidance.

For more guidance, please get in touch with us today

Q. Can employers save on National Insurance when hiring apprentices?

Yes. Employers may qualify for a 0% rate of employer National Insurance contributions for apprentices under 25 earning up to £50,270 per year through an approved apprenticeship standard or framework.

Further information about employer National Insurance savings for apprentices under 25 can be found in section 3.9.2 of the GOV.UK PAYE and National Insurance guidance.

Q. Is Intec’s apprenticeship recruitment service free?

Yes.

Intec Business Colleges provides free end-to-end recruitment support for employers looking to recruit apprenticeship talent.

Recruit an apprentice with Intec