Information for Employers on Apprenticeships

At Heart of England Training, we’ve been empowering businesses through vocational training and apprenticeships for over 50 years. Whether you’re a small enterprise or a national employer, our flexible, tailored apprenticeship programmes are designed to meet the evolving skills needs of your workforce and the wider labour market.

Apprenticeships are a smart investment—cost-effective, productivity-boosting, and a great way to shape loyal, skilled employees. From school leavers to upskilling existing staff, our apprenticeships range from Level 2 to Level 5.

We’re proud to be rated ‘Good’ by Ofsted and consistently receive excellent feedback from employers and learners on the official GOV.UK Find an Apprenticeship training provider service. When you partner with HOET, you’re choosing a training provider that values quality, integrity, and real results.

Our free recruitment service makes it easy to find the right apprentice for your business. Prefer to invest in your current team? We also support employers who want to enroll existing staff on apprenticeship programmes.

To be eligible, an apprentice must:

Be aged 16 or over by the end of the summer holiday
Live in England
Not be in full-time education

We’ll work closely with you to deliver training that’s not only relevant and practical but also built around your goals and workplace culture.

Training for existing team members

Apprenticeships aren’t just for new starters—they’re an excellent way to develop your existing workforce too. Whether you’re looking to close skill gaps, prepare staff for promotion, or retain top talent, apprenticeships offer a cost-effective solution with real impact.

By enrolling a current employee onto an apprenticeship, you’re investing in recognised qualifications that deliver practical, on-the-job learning. This not only increases motivation and productivity but also shows your team that you’re serious about their career development.

Many of our employer partners use apprenticeships to:

Boost team capability in key business areas like customer service, leadership, or teaching
Adapt to new technologies or processes
Improve staff retention by supporting long-term career pathways

Our Free Recruitment Service

Recruiting an apprentice can be time-consuming—we make it simple. Our free recruitment service helps employers find the right candidates with minimal fuss or admin.

From helping you draft job descriptions to screening applicants and arranging interviews, we handle the heavy lifting. You’ll benefit from our:

Expertise in apprentice recruitment
Targeted vacancy promotion through the National Apprenticeship Service and online platforms
Weekly application tracking and updates

We also advise on available government incentives, including up to £1,000 for hiring a new apprentice aged 16–18 (or 19–24 with an Education, Health and Care Plan).

Importantly, there’s no risk. If we don’t find a suitable match, you’re under no obligation to continue. Our recruitment service remains free as long as training is delivered by Heart of England Training. (Please note: referencing and right-to-work checks are not included.)

Apprenticeship Levy / Funding

Apprenticeship funding is designed to make workforce development more accessible for all employers.

If your annual wage bill is under £3 million:

You’ll receive up to 95% funding from the Government to cover the cost of apprenticeship training.
Small businesses with fewer than 50 employees may receive 100% funding for apprentices aged 16–18.
Hiring a new apprentice aged 16–18 (or 19–24 with an EHCP) entitles you to a £1,000 government incentive.

If your organisation pays the Apprenticeship Levy:

You’ll access your levy funds via the Apprenticeship Service to pay for training and assessment.
Hiring a new apprentice aged 16–18 (or 19–24 with an EHCP) entitles you to a £1,000 government incentive.

You are also required to pay your apprentice for:

Their normal working hours
Any training time during their apprenticeship

👉 Click here for the latest guidance on apprentice pay from GOV.UK

We’ll guide you through funding eligibility, digital account set-up, and incentive claims to ensure a smooth process.

What to expect

As an apprentice employer, you play a vital role in delivering on-the-job training and helping your apprentice develop professionally.

Meanwhile, we will provide:

Curriculum-led training via in-person sessions, online day courses, and flexible assignments
Support with Maths and English if your apprentice hasn’t yet achieved minimum qualifications
Expert guidance through every stage of the programme via our dedicated educators and support teams

Every apprentice receives access to their own digital e-portfolio, where they’ll track progress and upload evidence for assessment.

Together, we’ll ensure your apprentice develops the knowledge, skills, and behaviours needed to thrive in their role—and contribute meaningfully to your business.

Employer Information

Training for existing team members

Our Free Recruitment Service

Apprenticeship Levy / Funding

What to expect

Quick Links & Policies

HOET Head Office

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