Employers
Learn more about hiring an apprentice and upskilling your team.
Employers Learn more about hiring an apprentice and upskilling your team
Why hire an apprentice?
A thriving business adapts and evolves with industry demands. At Access Industry, we’ve spent decades delivering high-quality apprenticeship programmes and upskill training designed to keep your workforce competitive. Whether you’re in Digital, Events, Film, Sport, Business or Education, our continuously expanding curriculum ensures your team is equipped with the skills they need to succeed.
Whether you’re bringing in fresh talent or looking for how to upskill and reskill employees, our programmes are tailored to help your organisation grow.
- Industry-led Training Provider
- Established Education Specialist
- Industry Networks
- Relevant Apprenticeship Curriculum
- Industry Expertise
- Shortened Programme Durations
Why hire an apprentice with
Access Industry
Whether you’re bringing in fresh talent or looking for how to upskill and reskill employees, our programmes are tailored to help your organisation grow.
A thriving business adapts and evolves with industry demands. At Access Industry, we’ve spent decades delivering high-quality apprenticeship programmes and upskill training designed to keep your workforce competitive. Whether you’re in Digital, Events, Film, Sport, Business or Education, our continuously expanding curriculum ensures your team is equipped with the skills they need to succeed.
- Industry-led Training Provider
- Established Education Specialist
- Industry Networks
- Relevant Apprenticeship Curriculum
- Industry Expertise
- Shortened Programme Durations
Our Apprenticeship Programmes
With years of expertise in apprenticeships, we provide a diverse range of programmes across various fields, including Digital, Events, Sport, Business, TV and Film, and Education. Our offerings are continuously expanding to meet the evolving needs of organisations. We’re here to support you in how to upskill a team or bringing in new, job-ready talent.
Take a look at our apprenticeship course standards listed below.
Digital
Level 3 Content Creator
Level 3 Multi-Channel Marketer
Events
Sport
Level 2 Community Activator Coach
Level 3 Community Sport and Health Officer
Level 4 Sports Coach
Business and Leadership
Education
Level 3 Teaching Assistant
TV and Film
Level 3 Screen Lighting Technician
Our Apprenticeship Programmes
With years of expertise in apprenticeships, we provide a diverse range of programmes across various fields, including Digital, Events, Sport, Business, TV and Film, and Education. Our offerings are continuously expanding to meet the evolving needs of organisations. We’re here to support you in how to upskill a team or bringing in new, job-ready talent.
Take a look at our apprenticeship course standards listed below.
Benefits of hiring an apprentice
78%
GOV.UK
The Right Fit for Your Business
96%
aboutapprenticeships.com
72%
aboutapprenticeships.com
Skill Integration for Growth
Benefits of hiring an apprentice
The Right Fit for Your Business
96%
72%
Skill Integration for Growth
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an apprenticeship?
An apprenticeship is a paid job which allows you to develop the skills, technical knowledge and experience to help you develop your career.
You will develop your technical knowledge through formal ‘off the job’ training and gain practical skills and experience whilst working. Apprenticeships have been designed by employers and include the knowledge, skills, behaviours and formal qualifications needed for each specific job role and sector.
Who can become an apprentice?
To be eligible, applicants must be aged 16 or over, living in England and not taking part in full-time education. If they are already employed, they can start an apprenticeship in their current job to help them progress to a higher level position.
Can I take on an apprentice who is over 18 years of age?
Yes, an apprentice can be anyone over the age of 16.
Can an existing member of our team do an apprenticeship?
Absolutely, existing employees can do an apprenticeship if they don’t have experience in the subject area or it is a higher level apprenticeship. You can place existing employees on an apprenticeship.
Do I employ the apprentice?
Yes, the apprentice has the same rights and benefits of other employees. They are employed by the employer and paid through the employer’s payroll.
What qualification levels are available?
Apprenticeships range from Level 2 to Level 7. The levels and their equivalent qualifications are listed below:
- Level 2 = 4 GCSEs
- Level 3 = 3 A Levels
- Level 4 & 5 = Foundation degree and HNC/D
- Level 6 = Bachelor’s Degree
- Level 7 = Master’s Degree
Access Industry currently offers apprenticeships up to Level 4, but we continually update available apprenticeships to meet learner needs and industry trends.
What is the cost to the employer?
- If you have fewer than 50 employees and take on an apprentice 16-18, 100% of the training costs will be covered by the ESFA Apprenticeship Reservation Funds.
- If you are a non-levy employer, with over 50 employees or an employer with less than 50 employees an your apprentice is 19+ you will have 95% of the training costs covered by the ESFA Apprenticeship Reservation Funds.
- If you are a Levy paying employer, the apprenticeship training costs will be covered by your apprenticeship levy
What is the Apprenticeship Levy?
- It applies to those with a payroll of more than £3 million
- It is used to fund apprenticeship training
- The levy is charged at 0.5% of an employer’s total payroll
- It is collected monthly through PAYE.
What are Apprenticeship Funding Reservations?
- 50+ employees with an annual payroll of less than £3 million, you will be able to access 95% of the training costs and you will contribute 5% of the course value, invoiced by Access Industry.
- Less than 50 employees, but enrolling an apprentice 19+, you will be able to access 95% of the training costs and you will contribute 5% of the course value, invoiced by Access Industry.
- Less than 50 employees and enrolling a learner 16-18, you will be able to access 100% of the training costs from the apprenticeship funding reservations.
What is Levy Transfer?
Levy-paying employers can transfer up to 25% of their Apprenticeship levy payment to multiple Employers, allowing them to use their levy pot more effectively.
Passing on a portion of the levy means companies can help fund training in smaller companies or those in their supply chain that might not have the resources to fund Apprenticeships themselves.
How to apply for Levy Transfer?
If you want to find a levy transfer to cover the costs of the training, rather than making a reservation, you can view available transfer opportunities on the pledge page. Employers may decide to transfer their levy to specific sectors or businesses. They may also choose to fund particular levels of apprenticeships.
Employers can advertise transfers with four details:
- location
- sector
- type of apprenticeship
- apprenticeship level
You can apply for the pledge that matches the levy employer’s needs. This isn’t limited, and you can apply for a pledge even if you don’t match all four advertised details. You can also apply for multiple pledges.
You need an apprenticeship service account to apply for a transfer to fund an apprenticeship for your business.
Before logging into your account and starting the process you need to:
- know which apprenticeship standard your apprentices will be undertaking
- know how many apprentices you need funding for
- know the location of where your apprentice will be working from
- know the expected apprentice start date
You can apply for multiple apprentices within one application if they are doing the same apprenticeship. If your apprentices are doing different apprenticeships you need multiple applications.
Once you have applied for a transfer you can see the status of your application in your apprenticeship service account.
Your application is shared directly with the employer. They will review and confirm if they have accepted your application.
If your application is rejected you can apply for another transfer or get funding via reservation.
Once you accept the transferred funds they can only be used to pay for apprenticeship training and assessment, up to the funding band maximum.
Transfer funds can only be used for a new apprenticeship start. They can be a new or existing employee but they cannot have already started an apprenticeship.
How regular are progress reviews?
Reviews take place every 8 – 12 weeks, These tripartite reviews will assess the apprentices progress and discuss their experience in the workplace.
What are the off the job hours?
Off-the-job training is defined as learning which is undertaken outside of day-to-day work duties and leads towards the achievement of the apprenticeship. This training takes place within the apprentice’s normal (contracted) working hours. The off-the-job training must be directly relevant to the apprenticeship. The minimum off the job training for a full-time apprentice is an average of 6 hours per week. The off-the-job training provides the time to focus and develop the required skills, knowledge and behaviours to achieve the apprenticeship. There are lots of activities that can contribute to off-the-job training. The key thing to remember is that it must be relevant to the apprenticeship.
You can find out more about off-the-job training here.
How much do I pay the apprentice?
£5.28 is the apprenticeship minimum wage. If your apprentice is 19+ at the point of enrolment, you must increase your apprentice’s salary to minimum wage for their age after 12 months of employment.
If your apprentice starts before the apprenticeship start date, you must pay them National Minimum Wage for their age.
When are your apprenticeship start dates?
September, November, January and April.
Do you have any references or recommendations from other employers and can I be introduced to any other employers?
Yes, on request we can introduce you to other employers.
Professional Upskilling: Empower Your Workforce
Continuous learning is essential for staying current with industry advancements and best practices, making skill development and growth in the workplace a vital part of any career.
Empower Your Workforce: Upskill with Confidence
Professional upskilling is essential. Our programmes provide a ready-made training and development plan designed to future-proof your workforce by addressing what it means to upskill and providing practical answers to how to build a successful upskilling program.
Whether you’re upskilling employees in software, marketing, or service roles, our programmes help them to stay current and career-ready.
Key benefits of upskilling your team
Understanding the importance of upskilling employees means acknowledging how vital continuous learning is for long-term success.
- Boosts Productivity: Employees with up-to-date skills work more efficiently and deliver higher-quality results.
- Drives Innovation: A skilled workforce is more capable of adopting new technologies and driving creative solutions.
- Improves Employee Engagement: Learning and development opportunities keep employees motivated, curious, and committed.
- Closes Skill Gaps: Upskilling helps bridge the gap between current capabilities and future needs, aligning your team with evolving industry demands.
- Enhanced Adaptability: Teams that continually upskill are better equipped to handle change and pivot in fast-moving markets.
- Strengthens Competitive Edge: A well-trained workforce gives your organisation a clear advantage over competitors.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an apprenticeship?
An apprenticeship is a paid job which allows you to develop the skills, technical knowledge and experience to help you develop your career.
You will develop your technical knowledge through formal ‘off the job’ training and gain practical skills and experience whilst working. Apprenticeships have been designed by employers and include the knowledge, skills, behaviours and formal qualifications needed for each specific job role and sector.
Who can become an apprentice?
To be eligible, applicants must be aged 16 or over, living in England and not taking part in full-time education. If they are already employed, they can start an apprenticeship in their current job to help them progress to a higher level position.
Can I take on an apprentice who is over 18 years of age?
Yes, an apprentice can be anyone over the age of 16.
Can an existing member of our team do an apprenticeship?
Absolutely, existing employees can do an apprenticeship if they don’t have experience in the subject area or it is a higher level apprenticeship. You can place existing employees on an apprenticeship.
Do I employ the apprentice?
Yes, the apprentice has the same rights and benefits of other employees. They are employed by the employer and paid through the employer’s payroll.
What qualification levels are available?
Apprenticeships range from Level 2 to Level 7. The levels and their equivalent qualifications are listed below:
- Level 2 = 4 GCSEs
- Level 3 = 3 A Levels
- Level 4 & 5 = Foundation degree and HNC/D
- Level 6 = Bachelor’s Degree
- Level 7 = Master’s Degree
Access Industry currently offers apprenticeships up to Level 4, but we continually update available apprenticeships to meet learner needs and industry trends.
What is the cost to the employer?
- If you have fewer than 50 employees and take on an apprentice 16-18, 100% of the training costs will be covered by the ESFA Apprenticeship Reservation Funds.
- If you are a non-levy employer, with over 50 employees or an employer with less than 50 employees an your apprentice is 19+ you will have 95% of the training costs covered by the ESFA Apprenticeship Reservation Funds.
- If you are a Levy paying employer, the apprenticeship training costs will be covered by your apprenticeship levy
What is the Apprenticeship Levy?
The apprenticeship levy is a form of taxation designed to help companies offer more apprenticeships. It was introduced to benefit businesses by boosting essential training and developing apprenticeship programmes.
The government apprenticeship levy is a tax paid by employers. It is then stored in a fund which can be accessed to help pay for apprenticeship training costs.
- It applies to those with a payroll of more than £3 million
- It is used to fund apprenticeship training
- The levy is charged at 0.5% of an employer’s total payroll
- It is collected monthly through PAYE.
Read More
What are Apprenticeship Funding Reservations?
If you do not pay into the Apprenticeship Levy, you are able to access up to 100% of the apprenticeship funds from the apprenticeship reservation on your DAS account.
- 50+ employees with an annual payroll of less than £3 million, you will be able to access 95% of the training costs and you will contribute 5% of the course value, invoiced by Access Industry.
- Less than 50 employees, but enrolling an apprentice 19+, you will be able to access 95% of the training costs and you will contribute 5% of the course value, invoiced by Access Industry.
- Less than 50 employees and enrolling a learner 16-18, you will be able to access 100% of the training costs from the apprenticeship funding reservations.
What is Levy Transfer?
Levy-paying employers can transfer up to 25% of their Apprenticeship levy payment to multiple Employers, allowing them to use their levy pot more effectively.
Passing on a portion of the levy means companies can help fund training in smaller companies or those in their supply chain that might not have the resources to fund Apprenticeships themselves.
How to apply for Levy Transfer?
If you want to find a levy transfer to cover the costs of the training, rather than making a reservation, you can view available transfer opportunities on the pledge page. Employers may decide to transfer their levy to specific sectors or businesses. They may also choose to fund particular levels of apprenticeships.
Employers can advertise transfers with four details:
- location
- sector
- type of apprenticeship
- apprenticeship level
You can apply for the pledge that matches the levy employer’s needs. This isn’t limited, and you can apply for a pledge even if you don’t match all four advertised details. You can also apply for multiple pledges.
You need an apprenticeship service account to apply for a transfer to fund an apprenticeship for your business.
Before logging into your account and starting the process you need to:
- know which apprenticeship standard your apprentices will be undertaking
- know how many apprentices you need funding for
- know the location of where your apprentice will be working from
- know the expected apprentice start date
You can apply for multiple apprentices within one application if they are doing the same apprenticeship. If your apprentices are doing different apprenticeships you need multiple applications.
Once you have applied for a transfer you can see the status of your application in your apprenticeship service account.
Your application is shared directly with the employer. They will review and confirm if they have accepted your application.
If your application is rejected you can apply for another transfer or get funding via reservation.
Once you accept the transferred funds they can only be used to pay for apprenticeship training and assessment, up to the funding band maximum.
Transfer funds can only be used for a new apprenticeship start. They can be a new or existing employee but they cannot have already started an apprenticeship.
How regular are progress reviews?
Reviews take place every 8 – 12 weeks, These tripartite reviews will assess the apprentices progress and discuss their experience in the workplace.
What are the off the job hours?
Off-the-job training is defined as learning which is undertaken outside of day-to-day work duties and leads towards the achievement of the apprenticeship. This training takes place within the apprentice’s normal (contracted) working hours. The off-the-job training must be directly relevant to the apprenticeship. The minimum off the job training for a full-time apprentice is an average of 6 hours per week. The off-the-job training provides the time to focus and develop the required skills, knowledge and behaviours to achieve the apprenticeship. There are lots of activities that can contribute to off-the-job training. The key thing to remember is that it must be relevant to the apprenticeship.
You can find out more about off-the-job training here.
How much do I pay the apprentice?
£5.28 is the apprenticeship minimum wage. If your apprentice is 19+ at the point of enrolment, you must increase your apprentice’s salary to minimum wage for their age after 12 months of employment.
If your apprentice starts before the apprenticeship start date, you must pay them National Minimum Wage for their age.
When are your apprenticeship start dates?
September, November, January and April.
Do you have any references or recommendations from other employers and can I be introduced to any other employers?
Yes, on request we can introduce you to other employers.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an apprenticeship?
An apprenticeship is a paid job which allows you to develop the skills, technical knowledge and experience to help you develop your career.
You will develop your technical knowledge through formal ‘off the job’ training and gain practical skills and experience whilst working. Apprenticeships have been designed by employers and include the knowledge, skills, behaviours and formal qualifications needed for each specific job role and sector.
Who can become an apprentice?
To be eligible, applicants must be aged 16 or over, living in England and not taking part in full-time education. If they are already employed, they can start an apprenticeship in their current job to help them progress to a higher level position.
Can I take on an apprentice who is over 18 years of age?
Yes, an apprentice can be anyone over the age of 16.
Can an existing member of our team do an apprenticeship?
Absolutely, existing employees can do an apprenticeship if they don’t have experience in the subject area or it is a higher level apprenticeship. You can place existing employees on an apprenticeship.
Do I employ the apprentice?
Yes, the apprentice has the same rights and benefits of other employees. They are employed by the employer and paid through the employer’s payroll.
What qualification levels are available?
Apprenticeships range from Level 2 to Level 7. The levels and their equivalent qualifications are listed below:
- Level 2 = 4 GCSEs
- Level 3 = 3 A Levels
- Level 4 & 5 = Foundation degree and HNC/D
- Level 6 = Bachelor’s Degree
- Level 7 = Master’s Degree
Access Industry currently offers apprenticeships up to Level 4, but we continually update available apprenticeships to meet learner needs and industry trends.
What is the cost to the employer?
- If you have fewer than 50 employees and take on an apprentice 16-18, 100% of the training costs will be covered by the ESFA Apprenticeship Reservation Funds.
- If you are a non-levy employer, with over 50 employees or an employer with less than 50 employees an your apprentice is 19+ you will have 95% of the training costs covered by the ESFA Apprenticeship Reservation Funds.
- If you are a Levy paying employer, the apprenticeship training costs will be covered by your apprenticeship levy
What is the Apprenticeship Levy?
The apprenticeship levy is a form of taxation designed to help companies offer more apprenticeships. It was introduced to benefit businesses by boosting essential training and developing apprenticeship programmes.
The government apprenticeship levy is a tax paid by employers. It is then stored in a fund which can be accessed to help pay for apprenticeship training costs.
- It applies to those with a payroll of more than £3 million
- It is used to fund apprenticeship training
- The levy is charged at 0.5% of an employer’s total payroll
- It is collected monthly through PAYE.
What are Apprenticeship Funding Reservations?
If you do not pay into the Apprenticeship Levy, you are able to access up to 100% of the apprenticeship funds from the apprenticeship reservation on your DAS account.
- 50+ employees with an annual payroll of less than £3 million, you will be able to access 95% of the training costs and you will contribute 5% of the course value, invoiced by Access Industry.
- Less than 50 employees, but enrolling an apprentice 19+, you will be able to access 95% of the training costs and you will contribute 5% of the course value, invoiced by Access Industry.
- Less than 50 employees and enrolling a learner 16-18, you will be able to access 100% of the training costs from the apprenticeship funding reservations.
What is Levy Transfer?
Levy-paying employers can transfer up to 25% of their Apprenticeship levy payment to multiple Employers, allowing them to use their levy pot more effectively.
Passing on a portion of the levy means companies can help fund training in smaller companies or those in their supply chain that might not have the resources to fund Apprenticeships themselves.
How to apply for Levy Transfer?
If you want to find a levy transfer to cover the costs of the training, rather than making a reservation, you can view available transfer opportunities on the pledge page. Employers may decide to transfer their levy to specific sectors or businesses. They may also choose to fund particular levels of apprenticeships.
Employers can advertise transfers with four details:
- location
- sector
- type of apprenticeship
- apprenticeship level
You can apply for the pledge that matches the levy employer’s needs. This isn’t limited, and you can apply for a pledge even if you don’t match all four advertised details. You can also apply for multiple pledges.
You need an apprenticeship service account to apply for a transfer to fund an apprenticeship for your business.
Before logging into your account and starting the process you need to:
- know which apprenticeship standard your apprentices will be undertaking
- know how many apprentices you need funding for
- know the location of where your apprentice will be working from
- know the expected apprentice start date
You can apply for multiple apprentices within one application if they are doing the same apprenticeship. If your apprentices are doing different apprenticeships you need multiple applications.
Once you have applied for a transfer you can see the status of your application in your apprenticeship service account.
Your application is shared directly with the employer. They will review and confirm if they have accepted your application.
If your application is rejected you can apply for another transfer or get funding via reservation.
Once you accept the transferred funds they can only be used to pay for apprenticeship training and assessment, up to the funding band maximum.
Transfer funds can only be used for a new apprenticeship start. They can be a new or existing employee but they cannot have already started an apprenticeship.
How regular are progress reviews?
Reviews take place every 8 – 12 weeks, These tripartite reviews will assess the apprentices progress and discuss their experience in the workplace.
What are the off the job hours?
Off-the-job training is defined as learning which is undertaken outside of day-to-day work duties and leads towards the achievement of the apprenticeship. This training takes place within the apprentice’s normal (contracted) working hours. The off-the-job training must be directly relevant to the apprenticeship. The minimum off the job training for a full-time apprentice is an average of 6 hours per week. The off-the-job training provides the time to focus and develop the required skills, knowledge and behaviours to achieve the apprenticeship. There are lots of activities that can contribute to off-the-job training. The key thing to remember is that it must be relevant to the apprenticeship.
You can find out more about off-the-job training here.
How much do I pay the apprentice?
£5.28 is the apprenticeship minimum wage. If your apprentice is 19+ at the point of enrolment, you must increase your apprentice’s salary to minimum wage for their age after 12 months of employment.
If your apprentice starts before the apprenticeship start date, you must pay them National Minimum Wage for their age.
When are your apprenticeship start dates?
September, November, January and April.
Do you have any references or recommendations from other employers and can I be introduced to any other employers?
Yes, on request we can introduce you to other employers.
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Who can benefit
Career Advancers
Support your existing team by giving them access to in-demand digital and business skills. Through employee upskilling, they’ll gain recognised qualifications while becoming more efficient, innovative, and career-driven.
Career Changers
With the rise in digital roles, your team may be ready for new challenges. Our programmes provide the training and reskills needed to help staff transition into new, future-focused roles.
Let’s Talk About Your Team’s Future
Whether you’re researching how to upskill and reskill employees or searching for a trusted provider for upskill training, Access Industry is your partner in workforce development.
Talk to our team today to explore how we can help you design and implement a successful upskilling strategy tailored to your goals.
Who can benefit
Career Advancers
Support your existing team by giving them access to in-demand digital and business skills. Through employee upskilling, they’ll gain recognised qualifications while becoming more efficient, innovative, and career-driven.
Career Changers
With the rise in digital roles, your team may be ready for new challenges. Our programmes provide the training and reskills needed to help staff transition into new, future-focused roles.
Let’s Talk About Your Team’s Future
Whether you’re researching how to upskill and reskill employees or searching for a trusted provider for upskill training, Access Industry is your partner in workforce development.
Talk to our team today to explore how we can help you design and implement a successful upskilling strategy tailored to your goals.