From 1st October 2026, eligible employers that do not pay the Growth and Skills Levy can receive a £2,000 payment when they recruit an eligible new apprentice aged 16 to 24.
Employers may also be eligible for £1,000 payment when taking on an apprentice aged 16 to 18, or an eligible apprentice aged 19 to 24 who has an Education, Health and Care plan or has been in the care of their local authority.
These incentives can reduce the financial barriers associated with bringing someone new into your business and developing them through an apprenticeship. It is essential to support businesses to train and upskill their current workforce, as well as recruiting and training a new employee.
It is important to check the latest funding rules before recruiting an apprentice. You can find the information on the government website, or you can read our apprenticeship funding guide for 2026.
Experienced candidates that also fit well into the team can be difficult to find. You can recruit someone with the right attitude and potential, then utilise apprenticeship training to develop the knowledge, skills and behaviours required for their role.
Your business gains an employee who is developing around your processes, customers and priorities, while the apprentice gains practical experience alongside structured training.
Apprenticeships aren’t just for new recruits though. You can train and upskill your current staff, which can subsequently allow them to progress into a new job role, with the potential of a pay rise.
Skills gaps do not always need to be solved through external recruitment.
You may have the people already within your business. Who could take on more responsibility with the right training? Which teams are struggling with which skills? Where will you need additional knowledge over the next few years?
Apprenticeships help businesses address these challenges by creating structured development opportunities.
Recruiting an apprentice does not need to be complicated.
