Your Career. Our Priority.
Hiring an apprentice or enrolling an existing team member onto an apprenticeship programme is an exciting step for any business. But for many employers, especially SMEs, understanding the different types of support and funding available can feel confusing.
From government funding and National Insurance savings to hands-on support with recruitment and mentoring, there’s more help available than most businesses realise. This guide breaks down exactly what you need to know about apprenticeship support, and how to make the most of it.
If your annual wage bill is below £3 million, the Government offers substantial funding to help smaller employers hire or upskill through apprenticeships.
Here’s how it works:
There’s no cap on the number of employees you can enrol. Whether you want to bring in new talent or upskill an existing team member, this makes apprenticeships an affordable way to grow your business and fill critical skills gaps.
For many SMEs, that 5% contribution often costs less than a single external training course, and the results last far longer.
If your business has an annual payroll of over £3 million, you’re already contributing to the Apprenticeship Levy. The Levy is collected at 0.5% of your pay bill and held in a digital account that can be used to fund apprenticeship training for your employees.
The great news? You’re already paying into the pot – so make sure you use it! Many businesses don’t realise that levy funds expire after just 24 months on a rolling basis – after this time, the funds are paid to HM Treasury (not carried forward or returned to the employer).
By using your Levy funds to train or upskill employees, you’re maximising your investment and helping to future-proof your workforce. Apprenticeships aren’t just about entry-level roles, they’re available all the way up to degree-level qualifications, covering areas like leadership, management, marketing, finance, data, and technology.
This kind of structured training doesn’t just develop knowledge and skills. It builds loyalty, increases staff retention, and strengthens your long-term talent pipeline.
Following the Autumn 2024 Budget, employers’ National Insurance Contributions (NIC) rose to 15%, with the secondary threshold reduced to £5,000 per year. This change has been challenging for many SMEs, especially those with steep growth plans.
However, apprenticeships offer a way to offset some of these costs.
If your apprentice (or upskilling employee) is under 25 years of age, you do not pay National Insurance Contributions on their salary*. This saving can significantly reduce employment costs, often outweighing the 5% contribution towards training.
At EMA Training, we understand that hiring or developing talent takes time, energy, and expertise. That’s why we offer end-to-end support to make the process smooth and successful.
To support the hiring process of a new apprentice, as well as enrolling an existing employee onto an apprenticeship, our dedicated recruitment team are here to help you. From understanding your business’s value and needs, to candidate screening and offering the role – we are here to help.
If you’re enrolling an existing employee, our team will review their role to make sure it aligns with the right apprenticeship standard, setting them up for success from day one. Once your apprentice is ready to begin, our Onboarding Team supports both you and the learner, ensuring a smooth transition into the programme.
Our mentors aren’t just there for the apprentice – they’re there for you, too.
Each of our trainers and mentors brings years of industry experience, acting more like consultants than tutors. They regularly check in with both you and the apprentice to track progress, provide guidance, and ensure business goals align with learning outcomes.
“They’ve been really supportive in Chloe’s education, as well as the stuff that I need to know to help facilitate her course and hit the key targets that she needs to qualify.” – Blu Hardy, Marketing Manager – Hardy Signs
If you’re already thinking about recruitment or training plans for 2026, now’s the perfect time to explore apprenticeships.
Let’s have a chat. No sales pitch, just a conversation about your goals and how apprenticeships could help you achieve them.
Book a catch-up call with our Account Director, Matt Edwards.
