What are employers’ responsibilities in respect of employing apprentices?

The employer’s responsibility to ensure the delivery of the training element of the apprenticeship is the main difference between employers’ responsibilities towards apprentices and other employees.

Apprentices must spend at least 20% of their time on off-the-job training. When you take on an apprentice you should select a training provider from the register of apprenticeship training providers and agree a price for the cost of training and assessment. On completion of the apprenticeship the apprentice must pass an assessment to demonstrate that they can perform the relevant role to the standard set by the relevant apprenticeship standard or framework.

You can select and compare training providers and view apprenticeship standards/frameworks on the apprenticeship service on gov.uk: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/manage-apprenticeship-funds

Aside from ensuring the delivery of appropriate training, employers also need to have:

• an apprenticeship agreement in place with the apprentice for the duration of the apprenticeship (which must be at least one year). As set out above it is crucially important to use the correct documentation;
• a commitment statement signed by the apprentice, the employer and the provider;
• a written agreement with the training provider; and
• the apprentice on the correct wage for the time they are in work, in off-the-job training and doing further study.