Apprentices and apprenticeships

Apprenticeships are a method of training individuals, usually within a skilled profession, whilst they undertake work at the same time.

• Apprenticeships are often perceived as a way into employment for younger people, apprentices are open to all who are aged over 16. 
• The Government encourages organisations to use apprentices as a method of creating a skilled workforce.
• Different rules for apprenticeships apply in different parts of the UK. 
• In England, funding of apprenticeships has been amended, with the apprenticeship levy introduced for large employers and co-investment introduced for smaller employers.
• The Institute for Apprenticeship was launched in 2017 as a non-department public body who aim to create and develop quality apprenticeships.

Recent developments

The apprenticeship funding rules set out the rules that employers and training providers must follow to access funding for training and assessing apprentices in England. The rules are updated each year which means that there are different funding rules for different apprenticeship start dates. Employers must follow the funding rules that apply to each apprentice.

The new funding rules for 2023/2024 apply to apprenticeships in England starting between 1 August 2023 and 31 July 2024. Changes include new off the job training rules and requirements for the apprenticeship agreement. See more in our 'in depth' section.