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Did you know that as a company, you may be eligible for government-funded training for your team?
The apprenticeship scheme is underutilised by a lot of companies, and you might be one of them. In this article, we’ll tell you everything you need to know about the scheme, how it works, costs, and why it may not be what you think.
Is it only available for school leavers?
The biggest misconception about the apprenticeship scheme is that it is only available for school leavers and young people aged 16-18. This is not the case; apprenticeships are not just for young people finishing school. They are open to anyone aged 16 and over, with no upper age limit. This means they can be used not only to recruit and train new staff, but also to upskill or retrain existing employees, and even support career changers who want to gain recognised qualifications while working. For employers, this makes apprenticeships a flexible and cost-effective way to build skills across the workforce.
How does it work?
Ultimately, apprenticeships are an excellent opportunity to train new staff or upskill your current workforce to high industry standards. With different apprenticeship courses on offer, your team can get trained while still working.
How much does it cost?
If your business is a levy-paying employer (meaning your annual payroll is over £3 million, so you already pay into the government’s Apprenticeship Levy), then the apprenticeship training is fully funded for you.
If your business is not levy-paying (most smaller and medium employers fall into this category), you only pay 5% of the total course cost, and the government funds the remaining 95%. For all of our apprenticeships, the contribution cost ranges between £250.00-£400.00, considerably less than a typical course cost!
How much commitment is required?
An apprenticeship typically requires around six hours per week of off-the-job training, though this is flexible and can include activities such as e-learning, shadowing colleagues, or practical tasks related to the role. With the full programme usually lasting around 8 months, however, the training is designed to fit around the needs of the business, ensuring apprentices can continue contributing to their role while developing new skills.
What training is available?
We can offer the following apprenticeship programmes:
ST0257 Large Goods Vehicle (LGV) Driver (Level 2) Apprenticeship -This course enables an apprentice to qualify from their car licence all the way to a category C+E licence, with the full legal entitlement to drive professionally, as well as meeting the requirements of the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education standards. Our apprenticeship scheme will provide you with all the knowledge and support to help you enrol one or many apprentices for our Large Goods Vehicle (LGV) Driver C+E level 2 apprenticeship.
ST0259 Supply Chain Warehouse Operative (Level 2) Apprenticeship – The Storage and Warehousing Operative (level 2) apprenticeship enables an apprentice to qualify to work safely in a warehouse or supply chain operation. They can additionally qualify to become a forklift operator, as well as meeting the requirements of the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education standards.
ST1025 Urban Driver (Level 2) Apprenticeship – This course enables your apprentice to qualify from their car licence up to a category C (rigid) licence with the full legal entitlement to drive professionally, as well as meeting the requirements of the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education standards. During the programme, the candidate will complete all of their licence acquisition tasks to get qualified to drive.
ST0647 Transport & Warehouse Operations Supervisor (Level 3) Apprenticeship – This course is suited to employees working in the Transport, Logistics & Warehousing sectors. This could include, but is not limited to, individuals working for hauliers, storage and warehouse operators, couriers, retailers and utilities. The course covers managing the day-to-day operations involved in supply chain management, ensuring activity, personnel and/or vehicles meet customer expectations and regulatory requirements
ST1394 Traffic Operator (Level 2) Apprenticeship – Imagine stepping into a dynamic role at the heart of traffic management. Our Traffic Operator
Apprenticeship Training equips you with the skills to orchestrate the smooth, safe flow of vehicles and goods. Picture yourself coordinating shipments from manufacturers to their final destinations, ensuring efficient delivery. 2-Day Operator Licence Awareness Training (OLAT) is also added as a bolt-on.
ST1393 Removals Operative (Level 2) Apprenticeship – The removals operative must be able to package items into boxes or crates and move them.
The job role also includes having to load and unload different packaged items or equipment. A removals operative will need to know how to use different variations of operating systems, computerised or manual, for daily tasks. Forklift Operator training is also added as a bolt on. Train for either Counterbalance; Reach; Pivot Steer; or Powered Pallet Forklift Truck.
How easy is it?
To start the apprenticeship programme, all you need to do is book a free discovery call with our Apprenticeship Manager, Nicky. On that call, she’ll run through all the apprenticeship information to check the course is right for you and your company’s training needs. Moving forward, we’ll set up your employee on the e-learning system, and we can begin the process. We’ll help keep track of the student, and all you need to do as an employer is allocate time each week for them to complete their training. Day to day, the student can continue working as normal.
Pros and Cons to the Apprenticeship Scheme
✅ Pros of the Apprenticeship Scheme
1. Government-funded training
Most of the training cost is covered by the government.
- Levy-paying employers (with payrolls over £3 million) have their training fully funded through the Apprenticeship Levy.
- Smaller employers only contribute 5% of the course cost, typically between £250 and £400.
2. Not just for school leavers
Apprenticeships are open to anyone aged 16+, with no upper age limit. This means they can be used to:
- Upskill existing employees
- Retrain career changers
- Recruit and develop new talent
3. Builds practical, job-ready skills
Training is industry-led and based on recognised standards. Apprentices gain both knowledge and hands-on experience relevant to their roles.
4. Minimal disruption to business operations
Apprentices spend only around six hours per week on off-the-job training. This can include online learning, job shadowing, or practical projects linked to their current role.
5. Wide range of courses
Employers can choose from various apprenticeships in logistics, transport, and warehousing, from LGV Driving to Transport & Warehouse Supervision, to suit different roles and business needs.
6. Supports long-term staff retention and loyalty
Investing in employee development boosts engagement, motivation, and loyalty, helping businesses reduce turnover and build stronger teams.
7. Simple setup process
Starting is straightforward; employers can book a free discovery call, enrol easily, and receive support throughout the training to track their progress.
⚠️ Considerations of the Apprenticeship Scheme
1. Time commitment
While training is flexible, employers must still allocate time each week (around six hours) for off-the-job learning..
2. Management involvement
Supervisors or managers will need to provide ongoing support, mentorship, and feedback to students.
3. Limited awareness or misconceptions
Many employers still associate apprenticeships with school leavers, leading to underuse of the scheme for upskilling existing staff.
4. Programme duration
Courses typically last several months (e.g. around eight months), so results and qualifications are not immediate. Although that being said, for many courses, including LGV driver, the student can gain their licence sooner than the 8-month commitment period.
Conclusion
The apprenticeship scheme offers employers a powerful way to strengthen your workforce, attract new talent, and develop your existing staff, all while keeping training costs low. Whether you’re a large organisation paying into the levy or a smaller business benefiting from government funding, apprenticeships can deliver measurable returns in skills, motivation, and productivity.
With flexible training options, recognised qualifications, and a straightforward setup process, there’s never been a better time to take advantage of the scheme. If you’ve been overlooking apprenticeships because you thought they were just for school leavers, it’s time to think again; they could be the key to unlocking your team’s full potential!
