Recruit your apprentice

After creating your apprenticeship service account:

Now that you've set up your account on the Apprenticeship Service, it's time to explore what you can do and consider some important factors when recruiting your apprentice.

In your apprenticeship service account, you can:

• Choose an apprenticeship training course and find a suitable training provider: using find apprenticeship training
• Access and manage apprenticeship funding: easily handle your funding for apprenticeships.
• Create your own apprenticeship opportunity: use the recruit an apprentice feature to create your own apprenticeship vacancy.
• Set up and approve apprentices: manage the process of bringing apprentices into your organisation.
• Approve training costs: Review and approve costs associated with apprentice training.
• Check payments to training providers: keep track of payments made to training providers.
• Delegate tasks: grant permission to training providers to perform certain tasks on your behalf.
• Provide feedback: offer feedback on the apprenticeship training experience.

Recruitment strategy

There are other ways to find an apprentice and increase the diversity of your applicants. For example, you can:

• hold open days: invite potential apprentices to visit your organisation
• visit schools and colleges: connect with students directly
• use social media: spread the word about apprenticeship vacancies online
• attend career events: showcase your organisation at events like WorldSkills UK Live.
  
  

To learn more about recruitment, watch our webinar.

Hiring school leavers

If you know when you will need your apprentice to start:

• Timing is key: aim to advertise between September and January to attract school leavers before they become busy with exams.
• Advertising: if you advertise the year before you need the position filled you will stand out from other employers who advertise later in the year (we recognise that this won’t be always possible for smaller employers who need to fill their vacancies quickly).
• Building relationships: establish ongoing connections with local schools and networks to continuously attract candidates.

If you recruit all year round or don't know in advance when you'll need someone:

• Engage with schools: you can reach out to local schools to initiate an ongoing relationship, so they can introduce your organisation to students.
• Tap into local networks: you can also reach out to your local network (e.g., Mayoral Combined Authority), who can work with you to give you access to a pool of people who are looking for roles today!


Setting realistic expectations:

• Support for new hires: recognise that most school leavers will require additional support in the first few months.
• Appoint a mentor: assign a mentor to provide ongoing support and guidance to apprentices.
  

Upskilling existing employees

• Identify skills gaps: assess your team's needs and determine where apprenticeships could fill skill gaps.
• Provide support: offer reassurance and support to employees undertaking upskilling.

After selecting a candidate

• Integration is key: make candidates feel welcomed and part of the team from the start.
• Maintain communication: stay in touch with apprentices to keep them engaged and motivated.

Explore further opportunities

Join the Apprenticeship Ambassador Network (AAN) to connect with other employers in the network to share knowledge, best practices, and attend relevant events.

For additional resources and guidance, visit the Association of Apprentices for free content and resources, including work preparation.