Hire an apprentice · London employers
Tell us the role. We write the advert, shortlist the candidates and sort the funding. You interview and pick. Then we train them while they work for you.
In short
Pick the role, pick a training provider, advertise the job, interview, then sign an apprenticeship agreement and training plan. A provider like EEV Training does most of it for you. For a small employer taking on someone aged 16 to 24, the training is free, there's no employer National Insurance, and the government pays £2,000. Your main cost is the wage: at least £8.00 an hour in year one.
| Minimum pay | £8.00 an hour (apprentice rate, from April 2026) |
|---|---|
| Training cost | £0 for 16–24s at non-levy employers. 5% for 25+ |
| Hiring payment | £2,000 for a new hire aged 16–24 (non-levy) |
| Extra payment | £1,000 for apprentices aged 16–18 |
| Employer NI | £0 for apprentices under 25 |
| Minimum length | 8 months |
| Time to hire | Usually 3 to 6 weeks |
Cost calculator
Three choices. The numbers update as you go. Figures are for England from 2026 and are a guide. We confirm yours before anything is signed.
How it works
Most employers get from first chat to a start date in three to six weeks. You make the decisions. We do the legwork.
Tell us the role and we'll send a draft advert and the cost within one working day.
Programmes
Pick the role closest to yours. Click "Hire for this" and we'll fill it in on the form for you.
Ops, admin or office roles where someone should be cutting the repetitive work with AI, safely. AI tool subscriptions included.
About the AI apprenticeshipSocial, email, ads and reporting. For businesses that need someone to own marketing day to day.
Video, photos, copy and posts. For brands that need a steady stream of content.
The person who keeps the office running: diaries, records, systems and suppliers.
Front desk, phones, chat and complaints. A good first apprenticeship role.
Devices, accounts, software and user support for a growing team.
Nurseries and early years settings building a qualified team.
Children's homes and adult care. We also run employer open days for children's residential care. AI for care providers
Compared
Based on England's 2026 rules for a small employer. Pay above the minimum if you want stronger candidates. In London, many employers do.
| Apprentice under 25 | Standard hire, 21+ | |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum pay | £8.00 an hour in year one | £12.71 an hour |
| Employer National Insurance | £0 (up to £50,270) | 15% above £5,000 a year |
| Training | Funded, with a national qualification | You pay, or none |
| Government payments | £2,000, plus £1,000 if aged 16–18 | None |
| Recruitment help | Advert, shortlist and paperwork from your provider | Agency fee or your own time |
Sources: GOV.UK minimum wage rates, the non-levy hiring incentive, National Insurance category letters and employing an apprentice. Full breakdown in our guide: How much does it cost to hire an apprentice in 2026?
Before you hire
Already have someone good? You can put an existing employee on an apprenticeship too, at any age. Read how to train an existing employee through an apprenticeship.
FAQ
Mainly their wages. The apprentice minimum wage is £8.00 an hour from April 2026, though many London employers pay more. Employers that don't pay the levy pay nothing for training if the apprentice is 16 to 24, pay no employer National Insurance for under-25s, and can get a £2,000 hiring payment.
Employers that don't pay the levy, for an apprentice aged 16 to 24 who starts on or after 1 October 2026 and joined the business no more than 90 days before training starts. There's no application. It's paid through the training provider, with the first payments from January 2027.
Usually three to six weeks from agreeing the role to the apprentice starting. That covers advertising, shortlisting, interviews and the paperwork.
Yes. Most apprentices work for small businesses. You need a real job of at least 30 hours a week in most cases, someone to supervise, and enough work for the apprentice to practise what they learn.
Yes. There's no upper age limit. Employers that don't pay the levy pay 5% of the training cost for apprentices aged 25 and over, and normal employer National Insurance applies.
Apprentices aged 19 and over no longer need English and maths qualifications to complete their apprenticeship. Apprentices aged 16 to 18 still work towards them if they don't already have them.
EEV Training helps write and post the vacancy, shortlists candidates, checks eligibility for funding, drafts the training plan and apprenticeship agreement, and delivers and supports the training until the end-point assessment.
Yes, at any age, as long as the apprenticeship teaches them significant new skills. Their job and pay stay the same. The £2,000 hiring payment only applies to new hires.
Tell us the role. Our team will reply within one working day with the right programme, the cost and a draft advert. Or call 07932 911800.
Last updated . Funding rules are for England and can change. We check them against GOV.UK before every update. This page is general information, not financial or legal advice.