Employ an apprentice

Recruit an apprentice or upskill your team.

With our free recruitment service and wraparound support, we make apprenticeships a straightforward solution for your business.

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Skills for Life Apprenticeships Logo
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Our free recruitment offer

  1. We discuss your business needs over a quick call and choose the right apprenticeship for your organisation

  2. We promote your vacancy through our marketing channels

  3. We screen the applicants to assess their suitability, and shortlist the strongest

  4. We arrange job interviews at a convenient time for you

  5. You conduct the interviews, then choose the right apprentice for you

  6. You meet your new apprentice’s tutor. Your new apprentice starts their job at your company!

Apprenticeship funding

We know funding can be confusing. Click through the tabs below to discover all the different financial incentives available to businesses hiring an apprentice. 

Training and assessment is free for apprentices aged 16-24. SMEs no longer contribute 5% towards training costs.

£1000 payment for hiring a young apprentice - for apprentices aged between 16-18 (Up to 24 for care leavers or those with an EHCP).

£2000 payment for SME's hiring a young apprentice - Available from October 2026 for apprentices aged 16-24.

£3000 payment for recruiting young people on Universal Credit - Available for apprentices aged 16-24.

For apprentices under 25 earning below £50,270 there are no employer national insurance contributions.

£2000 for hiring someone 16-21 on a Foundation Apprenticeship

Why us?

When you choose us, you're partnering with a provider that delivers real results for employers across the region.

  • Trusted by over 350 employers

  • 75% Apprenticeship success rate - 10% above the national average

  • Rated "Excellent" by the employers we work with

As part of Gateshead Council, we have the knowledge and expertise to make apprenticeships straightforward and worthwhile for your business. 

Team website

We work with

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Meet the team

Nina web (1)

Nina Cole

Business Development Officer

Nina is the first friendly face you'll meet on your apprenticeship journey. She'll work closely with you to understand the needs of your business.

Olly web

Oliver Leach

Business Development Officer

Olly will guide you through the ins and outs of apprenticeships, making the process as straightforward as possible so you can take advantage of available funding.

MS web

Marie-Sophie Champavier

Digital Marketing and Sales Advisor

Marie-Sophie promotes your vacancy on our social media channels to ensure you have the best pool of candidates to choose from.

Connor web

Connor Park

Sales and Marketing Advisor

Connor interviews candidates in our pre-screening process to make sure they're the right fit for your business.

Poppy web

Poppy Melia

Sales and Digital Marketing Apprentice

For many hopeful candidates, Poppy is the first team member they meet. She conducts pre-interviews to help businesses select the right candidate for the role, and helps promote vacancies on social media.

Jo web

Jo Pointon

Partnership Manager

Jo leads employer engagement and business development, forging strong relationships with organisations to help them use apprenticeships and training to address skills gaps, grow talent and achieve their workforce goals.

Need more information?