Find out about the different types of apprenticeships available – including Flexi-job apprenticeships - and how they can benefit employers as well as apprentices and help fill skills gaps.
Who can apply for an apprenticeship?
Apprenticeships are an exciting option for both apprentice and employer.
You can employ apprentices at different levels, from school leavers and university graduates, to people who want to further their careers or change career direction completely.
You can hire someone new or upskill an existing employee.
As an employer, you can get funding from the government to help pay for apprenticeship training.
Benefits to Employers
Hiring an apprentice is a productive and effective way to grow talent and develop a motivated, skilled and qualified workforce.
- 86% of employers said apprenticeships helped them develop skills relevant to their organisation
- 78% of employers said apprenticeships helped them improve productivity
- 74% of employers said apprenticeships helped them improve the quality of their product or service
Other benefits of working with apprentices include:
- You can adapt their training according to the needs of your business
- They’re motivated to learn new skills
- You can expand and upskill your workforce
Benefits to becoming an Apprentice
Earn as you learn: apprentices are employees too, which means they get a salary while gaining work experience. They will be learning on the job and applying new skills in a real work environment.
Nationally recognised training: receive training that’s recognised and valued by employers throughout England and the UK.
No student debt: apprentices don’t pay tuition fees and aren’t eligible for student loans, so there’s no student debt to worry about. They are still entitled to student discounts and can get an NUS card.
What are the different types of apprenticeship?
There are over 600 different types of apprenticeship available and at four different levels:
- Intermediate level apprenticeships (L2)
- Advanced level apprenticeships (L3)
- Higher apprenticeships (L4 - L5)
- Degree apprenticeships (L6 – L7)
Depending on the sector and job role, an apprenticeship can take anything from one to six years to complete.
Flexi-job and Portable flexi-job Apprenticeships
Flexi-job apprenticeships take place in sectors and occupations that often use short-term contracts or other non-standard employment models.
Employers and apprentices can use an approved flexi-job apprenticeship agency where the agency:
- employs the apprentice for the duration of their apprenticeship
- arranges placements with host businesses
To find out more about these types of apprenticeships visit Flexi-job apprenticeships using an approved agency - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Government incentives for employing an apprentice – There are financial incentives to recruiting a new apprentice. £1000 – subject to eligibility. To check and for more information please visit
https://www.apprenticeships.gov.uk/employers/financial-incentives
Reduced employer NI for apprentices aged under 25.
To find out how to Hire an Apprentice visit Hire an apprentice (apprenticeships.gov.uk)
For more information on what employment and training schemes are available to businesses visit Find training and employment schemes for your business (education.gov.uk)
Greater Lincolnshire LEP Apprenticeship Strategy 2021
Apprenticeships are seen as a key skills solution - with even further untapped potential for Greater Lincolnshire’s economy and communities – to read the full 2021 Greater Lincolnshire LEP Apprenticeship Strategy click here: Greater_Lincolnshire_Apprenticeship_Strategy_2021.pdf (greaterlincolnshirelep.co.uk)
