Employer FAQs

An apprenticeship programme is a structured vocational training programme that combines job-related instruction with off-the-job training. Apprentices work and learn under the guidance of experienced Training Speciailsts, earning a wage while gaining the knowledge, skills and behaviours necessary to perform their role.

Apprenticeships involve a minimum requirement of at least 6 hours per week off-the-job training for the apprentice, provided by a Training Provider (us), combined with working and any in-house training the employer wishes to give.

The apprentice will spend a significant amount of their time working for your company, learning from experienced team members. The rest of the time will be spent doing off-the-job training, either in person or online, studying the theoretical aspects of their chosen field.

Yes, in part. We use a market leading apprenticeship learning portal called Aptem to manage all aspects of the apprentice's journey. This covers the onboarding, delivery and ongoing assessment processes. This is blended with in person site visits where required.

The duration of an apprenticeship can vary depending on the industry, level, and specific programme, but they typically last between one to four years.

The exact durations can be found on each specific apprenticeship page.

Absolutely, apprenticeships can be a great way to upskill your existing employees, helping them to develop new skills and knowledge.

There's no limit on the number of apprentices you can hire. It depends on your capacity to provide a supportive learning environment and comply with apprenticeship requirements.

Yes, as an employer, you will have certain legal obligations when hiring an apprentice. These can include providing a safe working environment, allowing the required time for study during paid working hours and paying at least the minimum wage for apprentices. We will guide you through these requirements as part of our service.

This can depend on the role and the individual, but apprentices are typically able to start contributing to your business within a few weeks. They will be gaining skills from day one, and our experience shows that apprentices quickly become valuable members of the team.

Yes, many of our apprenticeship programmes can be adapted for remote work. This may depend on the nature of the work and the specific programme, but we are committed to providing flexible and effective training that meets the needs of modern businesses.

We certainly encourage employer input into our apprenticeship programmes. While there are certain core competencies that must be covered, we work closely with employers to tailor programmes to meet specific business needs.

You can take on an apprentice at any time of year. The start date of the apprenticeship programme can be arranged to suit your business needs.

Costs can vary depending on several factors such as the apprentice's age and the level of apprenticeship. In many cases, government funding is available to help offset these costs. We are more than happy to discuss this with you in detail and explore available funding options.

Apprenticeships are funded through either of the following two ways:.

1. Apprenticeship Levy Funding

For employers operating in England and featuring a payroll exceeding £3 million, a monthly levy of 0.5% is collected through PAYE. This levy is securely stored within an online Apprenticeship Service account, solely designated for funding apprenticeships within the company. It's a strategic investment in nurturing the skillset of the workforce.

2. Co-Funded Apprenticeships with the Education & Skills Funding Agency (Non-Levy)

Organisations with a payroll below £3 million in England partake in co-funded apprenticeships, underscoring our commitment to accessible skill development. The ESFA allocates 95% of the necessary apprenticeship funding, with the remaining 5% contributed by the employer. This partnership amplifies opportunities for businesses to engage apprentices while optimising financial commitments.

Yes, employers get £1,000 each for taking on an apprentice who is either:

- aged 16 to 18 years old, or

- aged 19 to 25 years old and has an education, health and care (EHC) plan or has been in the care of their local authority

The payment is paid in two installments:

- 1st Installment (£500) - After the apprentice has been on programme for 12 weeks.

- Final Payment (£500) - After the apprentices has been on programme for 365 days.

It's a rewarding collaboration aimed at bolstering the growth of both your business and the young individuals embarking on their professional journey.

Hiring an apprentice is a long-term investment that can lead to significant benefits. However, we understand that cost can be a concern, especially for small businesses. Government funding is often available to help cover the costs of an apprenticeship, and our team can help you navigate these options.

The ROI of an apprenticeship can be measured in several ways, including increased productivity, filling skills gaps, reducing recruitment costs, and improving employee retention.

As an employer, your primary responsibilities will include providing the apprentice with a safe working environment, on-the-job training, a wage in accordance with legal requirements, and time during paid working hours to study.

See our Employer Commitments page for full details of the expectations for an employer.

Yes, apprentices are full-time employees of your company. They will be entitled to the same benefits and rights as other employees.

Usually, apprentices are required to spend at least 6 hours per week, on average over the duration of the apprenticeship, completing off-the-job training. However, how this is scheduled can be flexible and arranged to suit the needs of your business.

Senior management plays a crucial role in the success of apprenticeship programmes. They don't necessarily need to be involved in day-to-day training, but their support and commitment to the programme can greatly enhance its success.

While the majority of the training will be provided by us, you will be responsible for on-the-job training. This will allow the apprentice to gain practical experience and apply what they have learnt in a real-world setting.

Our pledge is to provide one-to-support and guidance to ensure the achievement of the apprenticeship for the apprentice. We also have a dedicated functional skills support team to help apprentices with any English or maths needs and we use a system called Cognassist that helps support apprentices with neurodiversity needs.

We understand that not every apprenticeship will be successful, but we strive to minimise this by providing high-quality training and support. We maintain an open line of communication and if problems arise, we work together to resolve them.

If an apprentice leaves early, we will work with you to understand why and provide support where needed.

We are a leading provider of apprenticeship programmes, offering a diverse range of programmes across various industries. We pride ourselves on delivering high-quality, flexible learning experiences that help develop skilled, productive, and highly qualified employees. Visit our apprenticeships page to see the reasons to choose us.

We offer a broad range of apprenticeship programmes across various sectors and specialised industries. We're committed to understanding your industry and ensuring our training meets your specific needs.

We offer end-to-end support, from helping you find the right apprentice and apprenticeship programme, to providing high-quality training and assessments. We also have a dedicated team to help with the design, administration and delivery of the programme. Our experienced Trainng Specialists are here to help with any questions or issues that may arise.

We maintain high standards for our training through our quality management team and ongoing evaluation and continuous improvement processes. Our Training Specialists are all industry experts and our programmes are accredited by relevant industry awarding organisations.

We are also inspected by Ofsted every few years and have been rated as a Good Provider on the last 4 occasions. Read our Locomotivation Ofsted Reports to see how we did.

Hiring an apprentice is a cost-effective way to grow and upskill your team. Apprentices bring fresh ideas, can be trained in line with your company’s procedures, standards and values, and can fill skills gaps. Plus, supporting an apprentice demonstrates your commitment to investing in people and the local community.

Businesses of all sizes can benefit from hiring an apprentice. We provide support tailored to your needs and business size.

We work closely with employers to understand their business objectives and align our apprenticeship programmes accordingly. This can include customising the training programme to address specific skills gaps or business needs.

Apprentices should be included in your company's regular performance review processes. We also encourage frequent, constructive feedback to help apprentices learn and grow. Our team can provide guidance on best practices for providing feedback to apprentices.

We conduct Apprenticeship Progress Reviews every 12 weeks with the apprentice and line-manager to review all aspects of the programme.

We understand that business needs can change. If there are significant changes in your business that impact the apprenticeship, we will work with you to adapt the programme or find the best solution.

At the end of the apprenticeship, you may choose to offer your apprentice a permenant position. If this isn't possible, the apprentice will leave with industry-recognised qualifications, valuable work experience, and skills that will make them highly employable.