Apprentices - is there anything more to the government's announcement?

[Paul FilmMaker]

We're thinking of hiring an apprentice Q2 2026. Other than the govt paying the majority of the apprentice's training, is there anything else to their recent announcement of 500,000 more apprentices?

I'm not interested in the politics, just the practical. If there is additional financial support for businesses hiring apprentices. The way I see it is I can get someone for a year or 2 on 3 - 4 days a week, that would be really useful. Naturally, we would train them.

So outside of the government paying 95% of the training fees, is there any other government support we're missing?

 

[WaveJumper]

I was talking about this very subject with my son yesterday and subsequently downloaded this as the previous doc's I had covered 24/25:

Key Rules and Changes for 2026

• Level 7 Funding Restrictions: From January 1, 2026, government funding for Level 7 apprenticeships (master's degree equivalent) will be restricted. It will only be available to new starters aged 16–21, or up to 25 for care leavers and those with an Education, Health, and Care Plan (EHCP).
• Apprentice Minimum Wage Increase: The national apprentice minimum wage is set to increase to £8 per hour from April 2026.
• SME Funding for Under 25s: As part of a "Youth Guarantee" scheme, small and medium-sized employers (SMEs) will receive fully funded training and assessment costs for apprentices under the age of 25 from 2026.
• Shorter Durations: The minimum duration for an apprenticeship has been reduced from 12 months to 8 months for starts from August 2025, provided all training requirements are met.
• Flexible Off-the-Job Training: The previous "20% rule" is being phased out in favour of a specific minimum number of off-the-job training hours published for each individual apprenticeship standard, allowing for more flexible delivery models.
• Optional Functional Skills (19+): For apprentices aged 19 and over, English and maths functional skills qualifications are now optional for completion of their apprenticeship, although the relevant job-specific English and maths must still be taught.
• Employer Responsibilities: Employers must provide an employment contract and an apprentice agreement, ensure the apprentice is paid correctly, and allow time for off-the-job training. They are also responsible for verifying that apprentices have demonstrated the required behaviours for their role

 

[WaveJumper]

Sorry meant to add this link

Apprenticeship funding rules and assessment plan guidance, 2025 to 2026

The rules for apprenticeship training and assessment funding, and guidance on the changes to assessment.

www.gov.uk

 

[pentel]

There is a shortage of companies taking on apprentices at the moment. I see lots of people finding it hard to find placements. If you have a course in mind the first port of call may be the training company who may have people on the course who don't have placements.

 

[Paul FilmMaker]

There is a shortage of companies taking on apprentices at the moment. I see lots of people finding it hard to find placements. If you have a course in mind the first port of call may be the training company who may have people on the course who don't have placements.

So I'm in touch with a local college which has a ton of young people without placements. So I should have my pick of the bunch. But I don't understand a load of things around it in practical terms. Take this:

• Employer Responsibilities: Employers must provide an employment contract and an apprentice agreement, ensure the apprentice is paid correctly, and allow time for off-the-job training. They are also responsible for verifying that apprentices have demonstrated the required behaviours for their role

Sure, I provide a contract but what does verifying bit mean for me, practically? Does this mean I have to write a 100,000 page thesis or complete a simple tickbox form?

 

[Paul FilmMaker]

I was talking about this very subject with my son yesterday and subsequently downloaded this as the previous doc's I had covered 24/25:

Key Rules and Changes for 2026

• Level 7 Funding Restrictions: From January 1, 2026, government funding for Level 7 apprenticeships (master's degree equivalent) will be restricted. It will only be available to new starters aged 16–21, or up to 25 for care leavers and those with an Education, Health, and Care Plan (EHCP).
• Apprentice Minimum Wage Increase: The national apprentice minimum wage is set to increase to £8 per hour from April 2026.
• SME Funding for Under 25s: As part of a "Youth Guarantee" scheme, small and medium-sized employers (SMEs) will receive fully funded training and assessment costs for apprentices under the age of 25 from 2026.
• Shorter Durations: The minimum duration for an apprenticeship has been reduced from 12 months to 8 months for starts from August 2025, provided all training requirements are met.
• Flexible Off-the-Job Training: The previous "20% rule" is being phased out in favour of a specific minimum number of off-the-job training hours published for each individual apprenticeship standard, allowing for more flexible delivery models.
• Optional Functional Skills (19+): For apprentices aged 19 and over, English and maths functional skills qualifications are now optional for completion of their apprenticeship, although the relevant job-specific English and maths must still be taught.
• Employer Responsibilities: Employers must provide an employment contract and an apprentice agreement, ensure the apprentice is paid correctly, and allow time for off-the-job training. They are also responsible for verifying that apprentices have demonstrated the required behaviours for their role

I don't understand any of this, practically. Take:

• SME Funding for Under 25s: As part of a "Youth Guarantee" scheme, small and medium-sized employers (SMEs) will receive fully funded training and assessment costs for apprentices under the age of 25 from 2026.

What? When I spoke with the college, I was told this was incorrect and this could be a range. Or this bit:

• Employer Responsibilities: Employers must provide an employment contract and an apprentice agreement, ensure the apprentice is paid correctly, and allow time for off-the-job training. They are also responsible for verifying that apprentices have demonstrated the required behaviours for their role

Sure, the contract bit is obvious. But is there a simple tickbox thing or do I have to get ChatGPT to write me out a 100,000 word essay? How many days is the off-the-job training? What, in practical terms, do I have to do as an employer? Is there flex around the days or are they set?

 

[Newchodge]

You are responsible for ensuring that the apprentice you select has the ability to complete the training, in exactly the same way as you, as an employer has to make sure a potential employee can do the work expected.

Off the job training is usually 1 day per week. Flexibility would be difficult as they have to attend training.