How to employ an apprentice

Authors: Adrian Martin and Frances Bennett

Summary

Click on any of the hyperlinks to go to more detailed guidance below.

• Understand what is required for training to constitute an apprenticeship.
• Be aware of the funding system for apprenticeships in England, including the role of the apprenticeship levy and the Government's online apprenticeship service.
• When selecting an apprenticeship, be aware of the different types and levels of apprenticeship available.
• Select an appropriate training provider to deliver the apprenticeship training.
• Select an appropriate end-point assessment organisation to deliver the assessment of the apprentice.
• Consider how much input the training provider should have in the recruitment of the apprentice.
• Put an apprenticeship agreement in place, ensuring that it meets the requirements of the Apprenticeships, Skills, Children and Learning Act 2009.
• Agree a training plan with the training provider and the apprentice.
• Ensure that the apprentice is supervised by experienced and skilled colleagues.
• Understand that apprentices have broadly the same statutory rights as other employees, including the right to be paid at least the applicable national minimum wage rate.
• Liaise with the training provider to design an induction period for the apprentice.
• Manage any disciplinary or performance issues in accordance with a fair procedure.
• Understand the organisation's obligations at the end of the apprenticeship and in a redundancy situation.