Who can be an apprentice?

Tailored training for your business:

Apprenticeships offer a pathway for both new and existing employees to develop valuable knowledge, skills and behaviours (KSBs) tailored to your business needs.

Designed by employers, apprenticeships ensure that your workforce is equipped with the specific KSBs required for apprentices to excel in their roles.

With apprenticeships ranging from level 2 to level 7, equivalent to a degree, there are options to suit the learning and development needs of employees at every stage of their career.

Criteria for being an apprentice

• must be 16 or over (or 15 years of age if the apprentice’s 16th birthday is between the last Friday of June and 31 August)
• not already be in full-time education
• living in England.

Thinking of hiring a school leaver?

• Apprenticeships are an excellent way to attract and train new talent.
• New hires can join your organisation through apprenticeship programmes tailored to specific job roles.
• School leavers bring new ideas and enthusiasm to your team, injecting energy and creativity into your workplace. They are eager to learn and can be moulded to fit your company's specific needs and culture.
• By investing in apprenticeship training for school leavers, you're nurturing future talent and potentially securing employees who grow with your business.
• School leavers bring a diverse range of skills and experiences from their education and extracurricular activities, enriching your team with varied perspectives and abilities.

Thinking of upskilling an existing employee?

• Employees of all ages can benefit from apprenticeship programmes, encouraging longer-term loyalty and boosting motivation.
• Offering apprenticeships to current employees enables them to gain formal qualifications, accelerate career progression, and learn new skills tailored to business needs.
• 80% of employers offering apprenticeships experience a significant increase in employee retention.
• Many employers use apprenticeships to develop and upskill their current workforce.
• Existing employees can enhance their skills and progress within the company through apprenticeships.

Making apprenticeships more inclusive:

While many employers use apprenticeships to recruit young school leavers, there is no upper age limit and apprentices can be of any background. Building a diverse workforce benefits businesses, including hiring:


• people with disabilities and learning difficulties
• members of minority communities
• young people who have been in care
• women in underrepresented sectors.

Offering apprenticeships allows you to provide opportunities to people from underrepresented groups, promoting inclusivity and bringing a variety of perspectives to your team.