⚙ Ofsted 'Good' · Engineering & Manufacturing Apprenticeships

Upto 95% Funded Engineering Apprenticeships For UK Employers

High Ridge Training recruits, funds and trains engineering operatives, technicians and tradespeople on your behalf. Government covers most of the training cost — most employers pay just 5%.

Avg. cost of an unfilled skilled vacancy (12+ weeks)
£4,000+
Your contribution, foundation apprenticeship (non-levy)
£225

This page is for employers hiring or upskilling engineering staff. Looking for an apprenticeship yourself? Go here instead →

Get a funded plan for your business

Recruiting an operative, training up a maintenance technician, or upskilling current staff in welding or fitting? Tell us what you need and a specialist will reply within 1 working day.

●Ofsted-Rated 'Good' ●80.3% Achievement Rate, 2024–25 ●4★ Employer Satisfaction
The Real Numbers

What an engineering skills gap actually costs your business

£4,000+
Lost output, unfilled vacancy
Every week a skilled role sits empty is a week your line runs under capacity or your team absorbs overtime.
£225
Your contribution, non-levy
The Foundation Apprenticeship funding band is £4,500. Non-levy employers pay just 5% — government covers the rest.
£2,000
Employer incentive available
Under DfE 2025/26 rules, eligible employers can claim up to £2,000 per foundation apprentice, subject to retention.
Funding & Cost

What does an engineering apprenticeship actually cost your business?

A transparent breakdown of what you'd pay, based on current DfE funding rules for England.

Small Employers (Non-Levy)
5%
You contribute just 5% of the training cost. Government funds the remaining 95%.
Under 50 Staff · Apprentice Aged 16–21
0%
Fully government-funded — no employer contribution required.
Levy-Paying Employers
Levy Funded
Use your levy account at no extra cost. Balance runs out? You pay just 5%.
£2,000
Employer incentive for foundation apprentices, subject to retention and progression conditions (DfE Funding Rules 2025/26)
£4,500
Funding band for the Level 2 Engineering & Manufacturing Foundation Apprenticeship
Programmes We Run

Full standards for new hires. Short units to upskill the team you already have.

Not every skills gap needs a 12–18 month apprenticeship. We run both — choose what matches your need.

Full Standard

Train new operatives and technicians

12–18 months · ends in End-Point Assessment
Level 2
Engineering Operative Apprenticeship Standard
View details →
Level 2
Engineering & Manufacturing Foundation Apprenticeship
View details →
Level 3
Engineering Maintenance Technician Apprenticeship Standard
View details →
Short Unit

Upskill your current workforce, fast

30–140 hours · 1–16 weeks · no EPA required
Level 2
Battery Manufacturing Apprenticeship Unit
View details →
Level 2
Electrical Fitting & Assembly Apprenticeship Unit
View details →
Level 2
Mechanical Fitting & Assembly Apprenticeship Unit
View details →
Level 2
Welding (Mechanised) Apprenticeship Unit
View details →
How It Works

We organise the admin. You keep the line running.

From your first enquiry through to a qualified team member — here's what happens at each step.

1

Skills gap review

We map your gap to the right standard or unit — full hire or fast upskill.

2

Recruitment support

For new hires, we advertise, screen and shortlist candidates for you.

3

Digital onboarding

Paperless enrolment and DWP compliance, fully organised by our team.

4

Training & sign-off

Workplace-based delivery built around your production schedule.

GOOD  ·  Ofsted Rating

Trusted. Inspected. Results-driven.

High Ridge Training is an Ofsted-rated 'Good' apprenticeship provider, delivering specialised engineering and manufacturing training across England — backed by published government performance data.

80.3%
Achievement rate, 2024–25 — published government data
4★
Employers rate us Excellent, UK Gov Apprenticeship Service
3★
Apprentices rate us Good, UK Gov Apprenticeship Service
Beyond Engineering

We also recruit and train across other sectors

If your business spans more than engineering, we cover these areas too.

Manufacturing Transport & Logistics Business Administration Education & Childcare View all programmes →

Stop carrying the cost of an empty bench.

One short form. A specialist will get back to you within 1 working day with a funded plan for your business.

This page is for employers only. Looking for an apprenticeship vacancy as a learner? Visit our apprentice page →