Written by Sam Dow | 14th August 2025
As thousands of young people across the UK receive their A-level results today and GCSE results next week, many are reflecting on their next steps, and so should employers. While apprenticeship recruitment often starts months in advance, Results Day is a timely reminder of the diverse pathways into the workforce and the untapped potential of emerging talent.
With skills shortages affecting many industries, now is the ideal moment for businesses to consider how apprenticeships can support long-term growth. Whether you’re planning ahead for future hires or looking to upskill your current team, apprenticeships offer a flexible, cost-effective solution that benefits both individuals and organisations.
We know how important it is to find the right people for the job. Many employers are still unaware of the significant benefits apprenticeships can bring to their business. Apprentices provide innovative thoughts and fresh ideas while being keen to learn new skills, and apprenticeships are suitable for people at any age and level – so you can hire someone new or upskill an existing employee.
If you’re wondering how offering apprenticeships can benefit your company, here are five compelling reasons why you should hire an apprentice:
- To boost productivity
Apprenticeships could give businesses of all sizes a boost amid the rising cost of living.
In a survey by Gov UK 78% of employers said apprenticeships helped them improve productivity. Apprentices will learn while working, and so means an extra pair of hands. More senior staff will be able to delegate certain tasks, giving them time to get on with their main responsibilities.
You can use a government service to hire apprentices who have been made redundant. Many of these apprentices may already have the skills and knowledge you need, so you’ll have a work-ready apprentice who can quickly add value to your business, shortening the time you’ll see a return on your investment.
- Upskill and retrain current workforce
Did you know you can use apprenticeships to upskill and retrain your existing workforce? You can use apprenticeship training and funding to fill key skill gaps in your business and boost employee motivation and commitment by investing in their development.
One of your team members may be keen to get a formal qualification in their specialist area, or perhaps want to progress into a different role. There are apprenticeships from level 2 to level 7 (equivalent to a degree) so you’ll be able to find apprenticeships that suit the learning and development needs of your employees.
It’s also good to know that apprenticeships are designed by you as the employer, so they will reflect the relevant knowledge and skills that your business needs.
- Boost team morale
Employee morale is an important focus for any business as it is a key factor in performance, productivity and retention. Luckily, apprentices often bring a fresh approach and a positive attitude into the workforce, which can have a knock-on effect on existing staff.
They tend to be highly motivated, committed to the company that invested in them and supportive of its business objectives, which means they’re more likely to stay with you when their training has ended. This is a driver for other staff and promotes a healthy work ethic amongst the workforce.
- It’s cost effective
As an employer, you are responsible for paying your apprentice for their normal working hours but you may be eligible for support with costs of training and assessments.
The Apprenticeship Levy covers this and is paid by large employers with income of over £3 million (they pay 0.5% of their total annual).
The government will apply a 10% top up to the funds you have in your account.
For business that don’t meet this income band, they pay just 5% towards the cost of training and assessing an apprentice. The government will pay the rest up to the funding band maximum.
If you also employ fewer than 50 employees, the government will pay 100% of the apprenticeship training costs up to the funding band maximum for apprentices aged 16 to 18 and 19-24. Further details on this can be found here.
- Build your future workforce
Perhaps most importantly, apprenticeships allow you to develop talent specifically for your business needs. You’re not just hiring for today’s skills gap, you’re investing in tomorrow’s leaders who understand your company culture, values, and processes from the ground up.
Results day is particularly relevant here, as the motivated young people receiving their qualifications today represent your potential future workforce. By offering apprenticeships, you can attract ambitious individuals who want to combine earning with learning, while avoiding student debt.
Ready to hire an Apprentice? Next steps
Before diving into apprenticeships, there are numerous factors to consider:
- Choosing the right apprenticeship programme – With hundreds of apprenticeship standards available, selecting the right one for your business needs and the apprentice’s career goals is crucial
- Understanding funding and eligibility – Navigate the apprenticeship levy, government funding rules, and what costs your business will need to cover
- End Point Assessment requirements – Each apprenticeship requires an End Point Assessment (EPA) of the knowledge, skills and behaviours your apprentice has learned. They’ll only receive their apprenticeship certificate after passing all EPA elements, so understanding this process upfront is essential
- Recruitment and selection – Develop effective strategies for attracting and selecting the right apprentice candidates, including working with training providers and apprenticeship agencies
- Training provider partnerships – Find and work with approved training providers who can deliver the off-the-job training requirements
- Workplace integration – Plan how to integrate apprentices into your team, assign mentors, and create meaningful learning experiences
- Get your contracts right from the start – Perhaps most critically, getting your apprenticeship agreements right from the beginning is essential for both legal compliance and business success.
Apprenticeship agreements are fundamentally different from standard employment contracts and must include specific elements like training commitments, End Point Assessment requirements, and compliance with funding rules. Getting these wrong can lead to funding issues, legal complications, and failed apprenticeships.
How We Can Help
At Reality HR, we can guide you through the entire apprenticeship journey:
- Choosing appropriate apprenticeship standards for your business
- Understanding funding, eligibility, and cost implications
- Creating compliant apprenticeship agreements and employment contracts
- Understanding your legal obligations as an apprenticeship employer
- Structuring training and development requirements
- Managing End Point Assessment processes
- Ongoing employment law support throughout the apprenticeship
Ready to explore apprenticeships? Contact our team for advice by emailing info@realityhr.co.uk or calling 01256 328428.
For more information about apprenticeship types and funding, visit Gov.UK apprenticeships guidance.