Greg Laird, UK Homes Assurance Lead, AIB
We engage with schools, young people, parents and career changers across social media and live events.
We get the word out on your behalf.
We make sure you have the conditions to help apprentices thrive.
95% of apprentices we've placed are still with their employer after 3 years, compared with 70% of graduates (Source: ISE, Student Recruitment Survey 2024).
Apprenticeships are a proven way to develop the best long-term talent.
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Individual Employers | Learning Providers | |
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| Being part of a network of like-minded employers |  |
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| Independent advice about apprenticeships | |
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| Full information on apprenticeship courses in one place | |
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| Helping aspiring apprentices with a single point of application | |
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| Collective voice around issues like funding, new pathways etc | |
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An apprenticeship is a job with training built–in. It’s the best way to develop new talent. Through on–the–job and off–the–job learning, an apprentice is considered a full–time employee and earns a good wage, whilst avoiding student debt (government pays their student fees).
An apprentice can be anyone who has:
Reached compulsory school age; and
Is either looking to be up–skilled in their current place of work, or a new employee taking up a paid job offer.
We make it easier for you to explore all apprenticeships in one place and you'll make it easier for applicants to apply to your opportunities.
Workplus has a fixed apprenticeship application campaign timeframe which makes it easier for you and aspiring apprentices to find each other. Think of Workplus like a floodlight, made up of individual lights from all the employers we work with – when we turn it on, it's clear for everyone to see!
By joining Workplus, you can be a part of the two hiring campaigns (when applications are open for applicants) each year:
January – March
August – September (shorter, clearing–like campaign)
Typically apprentices attend college or university one day per week but the Government covers the cost of the education. During the course of an apprenticeship, there will be work–based learning modules to be completed, including a project and reports. Employers will need to work closely with the college and university assessors to help the apprentice with this work, with mentors giving time and support to facilitate success. At the discretion of the employer, apprentices may be working towards a professional qualification. This will often require mentoring, so employers should ensure that they discuss with the relevant professional body.
Government pays your apprentices student fees (if they are eligible). It is the employer’s responsibility to pay the apprentice wage. Apprentices are paid a full time salary to cover their on–the–job and off–the–job work.
The following are the Employer Class 1 National Insurance Contributions rates for 2024–25:
Apprentices aged 16–24 (Class H) rated at 0% when earning less than £4,189 per month
Apprentices aged 25+ (Class A) rated as regular employee (13.8%)
