Apprenticeships for employers
Apprenticeships for organisations
Develop the skills your people and business need, by upskilling existing staff or recruiting new talent with a structured development route.
Established apprenticeship support
A practical route needs a credible delivery partner
Compare the programme first, then use our specialists to check the role, workplace evidence and funding position before enrolment.
Plan with confidence
The practical information employers need first
Start with the journey, funding guidance or a clear view of the potential business impact.
Step-by-step guide
Apprenticeship journey
Understand what happens from first conversation through enrolment, learning and completion.
Explore the journey
Costs and eligibility
Funding guidance
Check the funding route, employer responsibilities and questions to resolve before committing.
Understand funding
Evidence for decision-makers
Business case calculator
Estimate the potential value of apprenticeship development for your organisation.
Calculate the impact
Develop your talent
Upskill the people you already have
Many employers use apprenticeships to develop existing employees: building knowledge, strengthening capability and supporting progression while people continue in their role.
We help you match the apprenticeship to the employee's duties, development needs and the business outcome you want to achieve.
Recruitment support
We can help you hire with confidence
We support you at every step to recruit and onboard a new apprentice.
1. Define the person and role you need.
2. Advertise the vacancy through Find an apprenticeship.
3. Support screening and interviews if needed.
4. Onboard the apprentice as normal and begin training.
Understand the costs, available funding and potential return on investment before you commit.
Employer responsibilities
What you need to have in place
Apprenticeships are work-based programmes, so the employer has an active role. You will need a genuine job, appropriate supervision, time for training and a clear commitment to supporting the apprentice’s progress.
Employment and pay
Apprentices must be employed and paid correctly. GOV.UK guidance states that apprentices must be paid at least the National Minimum Wage.
Apprenticeship agreement
The apprentice must have an apprenticeship agreement setting out details such as the occupation, apprenticeship, dates and training.
Training plan
A training plan should be agreed between the employer, apprentice and provider, including planned training content, expectations and support.
Programme routes
Explore apprenticeship routes by capability need
Each route develops practical capability around the work your people do every day.
Marketing
Marketing apprenticeships
Build digital, campaign, content and planning capability.
View programmes
Sales
Sales apprenticeships
Develop consultative selling, account management and commercial confidence.
View programmes
Business administration
Business administration apprenticeships
Strengthen coordination, processes and operational effectiveness.
View programmes
AI capability
AI apprenticeship units
Build practical confidence with AI-enabled working.
View programmesFree programme guide
Request the apprenticeship brochure
Take away the information you need to discuss apprenticeship development with your team.
Personal guidance
Talk through the role before you commit to a route
Use a short conversation to confirm whether the responsibilities are substantial enough, which apprenticeship level fits and how funding and workplace support are likely to work.
Questions employers ask
Apprenticeships for organisations FAQs
General
Can Professional Academy help us decide which apprenticeship to use?
Yes. We can help you review the role, intended outcomes, learner profile and available apprenticeship
options before you commit to a route.
Can apprenticeship funding reduce training costs?
Potentially, yes. Apprenticeship training may be funded through levy funds, government co-investment
or other available support depending on your organisation and apprentice circumstances.
Can apprenticeships be used for new employees?
Yes. Apprenticeships can be used for new employees or current employees. This page is focused on
using apprenticeships to bring new talent into the organisation.
Can we use apprenticeships for graduate or career-change roles?
Potentially, yes. The important test is whether the apprenticeship standard, job role and learner starting
point fit together. We can help you assess the best route.
Do we have to pay the apprentice?
Yes. Apprentices must be paid at least the applicable National Minimum Wage. Employers should check
current official wage guidance before confirming pay.
Do we need to employ the apprentice?
Yes. An apprentice is employed in a real role and combines work with structured training.
Apprenticeships for employers
Can apprenticeships be used for existing employees?
Yes. An apprenticeship can support an existing employee where it provides meaningful new learning relevant to their role and development need.
Can we use an apprenticeship to recruit new talent?
Yes. Where the role, learner and programme are suitable, apprenticeships provide a structured route to recruit, onboard and develop new people.
Choosing a route
How do we choose the right apprenticeship route?
Start with the person's day-to-day responsibilities, the skills they need to develop and the business outcome you want to achieve.
What if we are not sure the role is suitable?
Talk to us before choosing a route. We can compare the learner duties, development need and business objectives against the available options.
Funding and delivery
What funding is available?
Funding depends on the employer, learner, programme and current rules. Our funding guidance explains the key considerations before you commit.
Do apprentices need time away from their normal job?
Off-the-job training is planned alongside normal working responsibilities and supports the apprenticeship knowledge, skills and behaviours.
Explore your options
Turn workforce needs into a programme choice
For marketing capability, compare marketing apprenticeship programmes. For business support and coordination, explore the Business Administrator apprenticeship. Use the apprenticeship business case calculator to examine assumptions before discussing the role, support and funding position with us.
Further Resources
Additional Information
Next step
Build your future workforce with us
Our apprenticeship advisers can help you identify the right route for existing employees, new recruits and priority capability needs.
