Boost your business with an apprentice

Hiring an apprentice is a productive and effective way for any business to grow talent and develop a motivated, skilled and qualified workforce.

The businesses that we work with that offer apprenticeships view them as beneficial to their long-term success.

In recognition of the value apprentices can bring to our economy, an incentive payment is available for employers who hire an apprentice aged between 16–18 years old.

Apprentices are important in helping businesses to recruit the right people, and develop the skills they need to respond to conditions and grow – both now and in the future.

Keep your business up to date with the latest knowledge, techniques and technology. You can also use apprenticeships to upskill your existing team.

Interested?

If you would like to find out more contact our Apprenticeships team on 0191 375 4040 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

Interested in Apprenticeships?

Please submit your details below and someone from the team will be in touch to discuss apprenticeships.

More Info

• The basics
  
  Apprenticeship training takes place both on and off-the-job. An apprentice will be in the workplace for most of the week with one day dedicated to their apprenticeship studies. This could be in college, in the workplace or remotely with a tutor.

  We offer Apprenticeship Standards from Level 2 to Level 7 that last between one and four years depending upon the sector. During this time, an apprentice will complete a series of assessments including examinations, assignments and evidence building.

  Higher apprenticeships 

  We also offer a wide range of higher apprenticeships so you can upskill your existing workforce. Our higher apprenticeships range from Level 4 to Level 7 and include a variety of subjects and professional qualifications.

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

• Funding details for hiring an apprentice

  The government’s plan for jobs will help to kickstart the nation’s economic recovery. In recognition of the value apprentices can bring to our economy, an incentive payment is available for employers who hire a new apprentice aged 16 – 18.

  Businesses that offer apprenticeships view them as beneficial to their long-term success. Hiring an apprentice is a productive and effective way for any business to grow talent and develop a motivated, skilled and qualified workforce.

  As the economy recovers from the COVID-19 outbreak, apprenticeships will be more important than ever in helping businesses to recruit the right people, and develop the skills they need to respond to conditions and grow – both now and in the long-term.

  Apprenticeship training cost funding is accessed via an Apprenticeship Service Account.

  To begin setting up the account please click here: Set up as a user - Apprenticeships (education.gov.uk)

  New College Durham Apprenticeships department will provide you with assistance to set up the account.

  Apprenticeships are 100% funded if you recruit an apprentice aged 16-21. If you recruit an apprentice aged over 22 or you have more than 50 employees, the training costs are 95% funded and there is a 5% employer contribution in which you will be invoiced for.

  Levy Transfer option – Organisations with an annual wage bill of over £3million, pay into the apprenticeship levy fund. You can access surplus apprenticeship levy funding to fund 100% of your apprenticeship training costs regardless of the age of your apprentice.

  To search for available levy funds click here: Find a business to fund training for your apprentices (manage-apprenticeships.service.gov.uk)

• Incentive details for hiring an apprentice

  There is a grant available for employers who employ an apprentice aged 16-18 years old.

  The total grant per apprentice is £1,000 which is payable in 2 instalments of £500. The payment will be made directly to employers in two equal instalments, where the apprentice is still in learning at day 90 and day 365.

  Claiming the payment

  Further eligibility criteria applies - if you would like to find out further information or require assistance, please contact our Apprenticeship team on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

• Why choose NCD

  At NCD we plan, manage and deliver apprenticeship training. We have over 50 years’ experience delivering apprenticeships and work with over 450 employers across the region.

  We’re proud to be in the top 10% of UK colleges for education, training and apprenticeship achievement.
  Many of our programmes have progression routes so learners can study from level two up to degree level and beyond.

• Understanding apprenticeship benefits and funding

  Invest in your future and develop a motivated, skilled and qualified workforce. 

  If you're a smaller employer, you are eligible for government funding which will pay between 95% and 100% of the apprentice training costs.

  If you're a large employer, you can use your levy to pay for your apprenticeship training.

  Apprenticeships are available at any level and any age so you can hire someone new or upskill an existing employee, allowing you to grow talent.

  Find out more about your estimated yearly gain, the future of your business and the funding available towards training costs by visiting the Apprenticeships.gov.uk website here. 

• First class support

  We will be there for you every step of the way. We will support you with funding and can help with recruitment.

• Apprenticeship Skills Co-ordinator

  An appointed Apprenticeship Skills Co-ordinator will play an integral part in supporting your apprentices. They will arrange a starting point, set and review milestones and carry out regular assessments and observations.

  
  The Apprenticeship Skills Co-ordinator will visit the workplace updates every 12 weeks throughout the qualification to monitor progress and ensure targets are being met.

• Higher Apprenticeships

  Higher , Degree and Masters Apprenticeships offer a fantastic opportunity to attract a high calibre of staff to meet the needs of your business. Here are some of the benefits of a higher apprenticeship:

  • Meet the unique needs of your business:  As higher apprentices learn at work, they are able to develop the knowledge and occupational competencies demanded by specific job roles.
  • Grow your own talent: Higher level skills are vital to business performance and economic growth - through higher apprenticeships you can fill your higher level skills gaps efficiently and effectively by tailoring the learning to your workplace.
  • Increase your productivity: Higher apprentices can keep your business up-to-date with the latest techniques and technology, increasing your productivity for the future.
  • Develop existing staff: You can develop existing staff as they work with your higher apprentice, through mentoring opportunities and more.
  • A clear progress route: There’s a clear, work-based pathway from craft to technical to professional and managerial skills, mapped out by the progression through intermediate, advanced and higher apprenticeships.
  • Attract higher calibre staff: Higher apprenticeships can attract higher calibre staff and help you develop a more motivated and committed workforce.
  • Train the way your business works: With a higher apprentice, you are training and developing them to adapt to the day-to-day running of your business needs.