Build a stronger workforce with funded apprenticeships that work for your business.
High Ridge Training makes hiring and training apprentices simple — from recruitment through to End-Point Assessment — backed by government funding and an Ofsted-rated 'Good' provider.
Develop talent. Boost productivity. Retain your best people.
Whether you're recruiting new staff or upskilling your existing team, apprenticeships deliver long-term benefits — across engineering, manufacturing, business administration and more.
Develop Talent
Tailor apprenticeships to your business needs and build a skilled, loyal workforce.
Boost Productivity
Apprentices help increase efficiency and bring fresh ideas to the table.
Cost-Effective Training
Train staff at any level, from entry to senior roles, with government incentives and funding.
Support Diversity
Contribute to your CSR goals and create opportunities for diverse talent.
Increase Retention
Invest in your employees' growth to reduce turnover and recruitment costs.
We'll support you every step of the way
Training Needs Analysis
We assess your business goals and workforce needs.
Recruitment Support
We advertise vacancies, screen candidates, and manage shortlisting.
Initial Assessments & Planning
Every apprentice is assessed to create a personalised learning plan.
Onboarding
We handle the enrolment paperwork and induction process.
Delivery
Off-the-job training, on-the-job development tailored to your business, and functional skills in English/maths if required.
Regular Reviews
To track progress and ensure the programme delivers for both apprentice and employer.
End-Point Assessment (EPA)
A final assessment to confirm the apprentice meets the industry standard.
Government funds the majority of training costs
What you pay depends on whether you pay the apprenticeship levy. These rates apply to eligible apprenticeship starts in England from 1 August 2026, up to the funding band maximum. Employers remain responsible for wages, normal employment costs and any agreed training costs above the band.
Smaller Employers (Non-Levy)
- From 1 August 2026, 100% funded if your apprentice is aged 16–24 at the start of training (or 15, if their 16th birthday falls between the last Friday of June and 31 August).
- Aged 25 or over: you pay 5% of the training cost, government pays the remaining 95%.
Large Employers (Levy Payers)
- Use your apprenticeship service account to fund training.
- From 1 August 2026, if your levy balance runs out, training is 100% funded for eligible apprentices aged 16–24 at the start of training (including the qualifying 15-year-olds described above). For apprentices aged 25 or over, you pay 25% and government pays 75%.
- New levy funds entering your account from 1 August 2026 expire after 12 months. Funds already in the account before that date retain their 24-month expiry period.
Incentives you may be eligible for
Support is available for employers and apprentices. You may be eligible for more than one employer incentive, provided you meet each scheme’s rules.
Employer Support Payment
For apprentices aged 16–18 at the start of training (or qualifying 15-year-olds), or aged 19–24 with an EHC plan or eligible care experience. Two £500 instalments become due at 90 and 365 days in learning. Day 242 replaces day 365 only for foundation apprenticeships or standards with a published typical duration of less than 12 months.
Foundation Apprenticeship Incentive
Up to £2,000 on eligible foundation standards: £667 at 90 days and £667 at 242 days, while the apprentice remains in learning. The final £666 follows 90 days in a further, non-foundation apprenticeship, started within six months of completion with the same employer and apprenticeship service account. Foundation apprenticeships are for ages 16–21 (including qualifying 15-year-olds), or ages 22–24 with an EHC plan, eligible care experience or prisoner/prison leaver status. Available sectors include construction, engineering & manufacturing, health & social care, digital, catering & hospitality, and retail service, supply & administration.
Care Leavers' Bursary
Available to care leavers under 25 starting an apprenticeship, paid directly to the apprentice — tax-free and not counted as income for Universal Credit.
Youth Jobs Grant
Already open since 30 June 2026, for apprentices aged 18–24 who've been unemployed and on Universal Credit for 6+ months. Paid directly to employers by DWP in two instalments — £1,800 after 6 weeks, £1,200 after 18 weeks.
Apprenticeship Hiring Payment — new from 1 Oct 2026
Non-levy employers can receive £2,000 for eligible new apprentices aged 16–24 (including qualifying 15-year-olds) whose practical training starts on or after 1 October 2026. The apprentice must normally have been employed by you for no more than 90 days before that start and be on the PAYE scheme linked to your apprenticeship service account. Two £1,000 instalments become due at 90 and 365 days in learning; day 242 replaces day 365 only for foundation apprenticeships or standards with a published typical duration of less than 12 months.
National Insurance Relief
Eligible apprentices under 25 attract a 0% employer National Insurance rate up to the Apprentice Upper Secondary Threshold (£50,270 a year in 2026/27). Employer NI applies above that threshold; employee NI is unchanged. Keep the required written apprenticeship agreement as evidence.
Structural rules that apply across every apprenticeship
- Minimum Programme LengthAll apprenticeships must last at least 8 months.
- Fixed Off-the-Job HoursEvery apprenticeship standard has a fixed number of off-the-job training hours, regardless of the apprentice's weekly hours.
- English and MathsStill required for apprentices who don't already hold Level 2 (GCSE equivalent). For learners aged 19+, employers and apprentices can opt out where it's not relevant to the job role.
- Prior LearningIf an apprentice has already covered some content, we'll adjust the programme to reflect that — saving you time and funding.
- Monthly Learning ChecksFunctional skills (English/maths) learners must complete monthly learning activities to remain eligible.
Apprenticeships by industry
We deliver apprenticeship training across the following sectors, plus professional development routes for teams who need a shorter, more targeted programme.
Need something shorter and more targeted? Explore our Professional Development routes, including CIPS, Early Years and Childcare, and Business and Management.
Apprenticeships in England, made hassle-free
We specialise in helping businesses recruit, train, and retain talent through tailored apprenticeship programmes aligned with your business objectives.
- Apprenticeship Recruitment Support — we help UK employers attract and select the right candidates.
- Streamlined Onboarding & Digital Paperwork — fast, paperless setup and compliance management.
- Progress Tracking & Regular Employer Updates — full visibility into your apprentices' learning journey.
- Training Aligned with Business Goals — customised programmes across engineering, manufacturing, business administration and more.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to hire an apprentice?
For eligible starts in England from 1 August 2026, non-levy employers receive 100% training funding for ages 16–24 and normally pay 5% for ages 25 and over. Levy payers use their apprenticeship service account. If the balance is insufficient, eligible ages 16–24 are fully funded; for ages 25 and over, the employer normally pays 25% and government pays 75%. The qualifying 15-year-old exception described above also applies. Funding is capped at the band maximum. You must still pay wages, normal employment costs and any agreed costs above the band.
What is the apprenticeship levy?
The apprenticeship levy is paid by larger UK employers and can fund eligible apprenticeship training and assessment through their apprenticeship service account. New funds entering accounts from 1 August 2026 expire after 12 months. Funds already in the account before that date retain their 24-month expiry period.
How long does an apprenticeship take to complete?
Apprenticeships must run for a minimum of 8 months, with the total length depending on the level and standard — some take several years to complete.
What funding is available for hiring young apprentices?
Non-levy employers can access 100% funded training for eligible apprentices aged 16–24, up to the funding band maximum. Depending on the apprentice and programme, employers may also qualify for the £1,000 employer support payment, up to £2,000 for a foundation apprenticeship and the £2,000 hiring payment for eligible new starts from 1 October 2026. Employer incentives can be combined where each scheme’s rules are met. The separate £3,000 Care Leavers’ Bursary is paid to the apprentice, not to the employer.
Do I have to pay an apprentice the National Minimum Wage?
Yes — apprentices must be paid at least the minimum wage that applies to their age and apprenticeship year.
What is a Foundation Apprenticeship?
A Foundation Apprenticeship is an accessible entry route into work-based learning for young people aged 16–21 (or under 25 with an EHC plan, care experience, or as a prisoner/prison leaver), available across sectors including construction, engineering, health & social care, and digital.
Is there a new hiring grant for small employers?
Yes. Non-levy employers can receive £2,000 for an eligible new apprentice aged 16–24 (including qualifying 15-year-olds) whose practical training starts on or after 1 October 2026. They must normally have been employed by you for no more than 90 days before that date and be on the PAYE scheme linked to your apprenticeship service account. A transitional exception covers employees who joined on 1 or 2 July 2026 and started training on 1 October 2026. The two £1,000 instalments are triggered at 90 and 365 days in learning, provided the apprentice remains employed by you and in learning. Day 242 replaces day 365 only for foundation apprenticeships or standards with a published typical duration of less than 12 months. Your provider checks eligibility and passes the payments on to you.
What is the Youth Jobs Grant?
It's a £3,000 payment for employers who hire an 18–24 year old apprentice who has been unemployed and on Universal Credit for 6 months or more. It's already open, having launched on 30 June 2026. Unlike the other payments, it's paid directly to you by DWP rather than through your training provider, in two instalments — £1,800 after 6 weeks and £1,200 after 18 weeks.
Start building your future workforce
Tell us about your business and we'll come back to you with a tailored apprenticeship and funding plan.