Should you hire an apprentice?

Donald Inglis • March 23, 2026

Donald Inglis • March 23, 2026

For many business owners, hiring an apprentice can feel like more effort than it’s worth. So, despite the higher cost, they opt to bring in someone with more experience.

But with wage costs rising, driven by recent increases to the National Living Wage and higher employer National Insurance contributions, apprenticeships are becoming a much more practical option. In some cases, they can be a better long-term investment than hiring a fully trained employee.

So how do you decide what’s right for your business?

What an apprentice actually is

An apprentice is an employee who combines paid work with structured training. They work towards a recognised qualification while gaining hands-on experience in your business.

They are not short-term or unpaid help. They are on your team and have real responsibilities, but they are still learning. That difference is important because the value doesn't come right away; it comes over time.

The financial side

Many people think that apprenticeships are too expensive, but they are often more affordable than they think. While the apprentice is learning, their pay is usually lower, and in many cases, the training itself is paid for, either in full or in part. There are also incentives available.

Recent announcements include:

up to £2,000 for SMEs hiring apprentices aged 16–24
wider support aimed at encouraging youth employment

This can reduce the upfront cost compared to hiring an experienced employee.

The advantages

One of the biggest benefits is the ability to train someone your way. Rather than undoing habits from previous roles, you can build good practices from the start. Over time, this often results in a team member who is better aligned with your systems and expectations. Apprenticeships can also support long-term retention. People who develop within your business are often more likely to stay and progress with you.

There is also a practical benefit to hiring. Many businesses are having trouble finding experienced candidates, and so building your own pipeline can be more reliable than relying on the market.

The drawbacks

The main consideration is time. An apprentice will need support, particularly in the early stages, and that can slow things down before it starts to pay off.

You should also expect productivity to rise slowly over time instead of right away. Mistakes and supervision are part of the learning process. In short, an apprentice isn't a quick fix. If you need someone to step in and get things done right away, this is probably not the best option by itself.

Important note: Apprenticeship starts among young people have fallen significantly over the past decade, while close to one million young people are not currently in education, employment or training. As a result, there is increasing support for employers who are willing to invest in early talent. For businesses, this creates an opportunity to access funding while strengthening the team in a more sustainable way.