Employ an Apprentice
Thinking of taking on an Apprentice?
Apprenticeships are an effective training tool for new and existing employees of all ages, from 16 upwards.
You may want to recruit and train an Apprentice, to become a valued member of your team, or you might want to offer a current employee a professional qualification and training to help them progress in their role and within your company.
Coming September 2025: Foundation Apprenticeships
This is a new way for young people to gain hands-on experience, develop technical skills, and earn while they learn in sectors like construction, engineering, digital, and healthcare.
These Level 2 programmes run for around 8 months and provide an ideal introduction to your industry, helping young people take their first steps into the workforce.
Why get involved?
- Shape and support the next generation of talent
- Fill entry-level skills gaps in your sector
- Develop future apprentices from the ground up
- Strengthen your workforce with enthusiastic, work-ready learners
Who can do a Foundation Apprenticeship?
- Primarily aimed at 16–21-year-olds.
- Individuals aged 22 to 24 who have an Education, Health and Care (EHC) plan or have been, or are currently, in the care of their local authority.
Funding
Non-Levy Employer (Annual Wage Bill Under £3 Million)
The course is fully funded if:
- The apprentice is aged 16-21
- The apprentice is aged 22-24 and is a care leaver or has an Educational Healthcare Plan (EHCP)
However, if none of the above applies, the employer will be responsible for paying 5% of the course cost.
Below is an example using our Level 3 Business Administration apprenticeship:
- Full Cost = £5,000
- Cost to employer = £250
Levy Employer (Annual Wage Bill over £3 Million)
Levy payers will use their apprenticeship levy funds to pay the agreed training price
for the apprenticeship.
Find out more about the Apprenticeship Levy, and how you can use these funds for Apprenticeship training.
Incentive Payments
Employers will receive a £1,000 incentive payment if:
- The apprentice is aged 16-18
- The apprentice is aged 19-24 and is a care leaver or had an EHCP
Care leaver apprentices can get a £3,000 tax-free bursary after enrolling on an
apprenticeship. Please speak to your training and recruitment adviser for more
information
Salary
The apprentice must be paid at least the apprentice minimum wage. You can pay more than the minimum, or offer to review it according to performance.
Apprentices who start training when they are 16-18 years old can be paid the apprentice NMW up until their 19th birthday. If they start training at 19 or older, they can be paid the apprentice NMW for one year, then it must increase to
NMW for their age.
Working Hours
Apprentices work between 30-40 hours per week including their college day. There are exceptions for those with disabilities.
16-17 year olds can work a maximum of 40 hours a week.
An apprentice’s working week includes their college day(s) which are approximately 8 hours long.
Useful Resources
We take the hassle out of recruitment
We will take away the stress of administration, offer guidance and advice to get you started, and provide you with ongoing support. You will have a dedicated account manager, as well as one-point-of-contact for training.
Our team of Training and Recruitment Advisers work across different sectors – visit our meet the team page to see which of them can help you in your sector.
No.1 in South of England for Employer Satisfaction
*DofE employer survey 2018
Ofsted Outstanding Provider
Exeter No.1 city in the UK for number of Apprentices
*Centre for Cities Think Tank Report
Success rates 16% above average
Meet the team
Our team of Training and Recruitment Advisers work across different sectors. Visit our meet the team page to see which of them can help you in your sector.
Have a question?
We’re on hand to provide advice, help with utilising your Levy and other business training needs. Speak to us today or visit our Employer FAQs page.
Fill the skills gap in your business
Generate fresh thinking
Develop existing talent
Help someone fulfill their potential
Instill your ethos from the start
Future-proof your workforce
Other great reasons to Think Apprenticeships
100s of apprenticeship courses to choose from
We offer programmes in a huge variety of disciplines. Qualifications range from Level 2 (GCSE Standard) up to undergraduate and postgraduate degree level.
Not only can Apprenticeships be utilised to train sector-specific knowledge and skills, but many of our professional courses, such as Business, Management and HR, or Accountancy, IT and Software Development can be applied to nearly all business.
Up-to-date, industry-specific training
Our Apprenticeship programmes have been shaped by businesses and industry leaders, and are delivered by sector experts – ensuring the 20% Off-the-Job Training is a worthwhile investment that benefits your organisation. The biggest misconception about Apprenticeships is that they are solely for school leavers, but the NEW style of Apprenticeship course is perfect for promoting professional development. Offering training and progression to your current employees shows commitment to your workforce, helping with staff retention and team morale. You’ll be able to develop a highly skilled workforce, with the support of the college, at little or no cost, benefiting your business and your employees.
Sectors we work in
We offer Apprenticeships in a range of sectors including…
- Construction & Trades
- Hairdressing
- Hospitality & Catering
- Business & Professional
- Automotive
- Digital & Data
- Education & Early Years
- Engineering, Aerospace & Manufacturing
- Health & Care
- Sport & Fitness
Have a question?
We’re on hand to provide advice, help with utilising your Levy and other business training needs. Speak to us today or visit our Employer FAQs page.
Use the details below to contact us today.
Email: Apprentices@exe-coll.ac.uk
Phone: 01392 400800
