Taking on apprentice rules

[NewUserHere]

There doesn't seem to be much information out there in terms of taking on an apprentice.

There is many training providers out there... Those that offer level 4 apprenticeships seem to charge fees in the region of £2.5k. Yet distance learning providers charge around £700-£800 mark.

The fees is being covered by the employee who is over 25.

The training provider is also an authorised training center with the accounting body as will be the more expensive providers.

So what's stopping the apprentice enrolling on the significantly cheaper distance learning course and coming in to practice as an apprentice? This apprenticeship wage. As he used them for level 3 and is happy with them and doesn't want to pay over the odds for the same thing.

Or the employers have to be authorised by a body or anybody to take on an apprentice?
What are the rules and regs surrounding this?

 

[BusinessDeli]

Eh? All businesses are different as are, therefore, the apprenticeships. There may be some forms to fill in but really it's down to the business itself to set the rules for the apprenticeship and training. Don't think you can have a distance learning apprenticeship, to my mind it simply wouldn't work.
It sounds like you're confusing 'apprenticeship' with more general 'training' or coursework.

 

[NewUserHere]

Sorry let me clarify. I don't mean for a distance learning apprenticeship.

Potential apprentice has studied level 3 using a distance learning provider who supports him with the aid of text books, set material and progress tests.

I'm wanting to take on said individual for level 4 but as an apprentice. Ie work in practice in local area.

Apprentice is paying his own course fees. But he wants to work at my practice and pay his current learning provider authorised by the AAT to provide the training alongside his work with me.
He will work 5 days per week and study using us, his learning provider and the provided text books.

So is there any reason the company providing distance learning courses cannot be used as their fees are over 40% less than that the college charge - only difference is the colleague do one day per week at their site.

So can I just get proof he's enrolled on the course with the distance learning provider, and then employ him in my practice, support him, say he's an apprentice and pay him the relevant wage?
OR
Is there for example some beaurocracy involved? Like I have to be approved by the government or something before accepting him as an apprentice?
I don't want to just employ him like any other staff member just to find out down the line hmrc do not recognise him to be an 'apprentice' because of whatever reason and claim I haven't been paying the correct nmw as a result.

 

[BusinessDeli]

The best and shortest answer I can give is that whichever body is required to certify him at the end of the course must be consulted as a priority. I don't want to give you bad advice so they, as the ones with the authority, have to be the ones that give you the definitive answer.