About apprenticeships

Everything you need to know about employing an apprentice.

An apprenticeship combines learning at a college/training provider with on-site experience to give apprentices the right mix of technical and practical skills. Apprenticeships can differ across the UK, see how they work in your area:

CITB has over 60 years’ experience of supporting apprentices and developing skilled workers.

If you decide to employ an apprentice, you will be getting a keen, motivated member of staff that wants to learn and help your business to grow. 

Created to support employers across the UK, our New Entrant Support Team (NEST) are also on hand to help, every step of the way.

This hands-on free support can cover:

• finding, recruiting and retaining an apprentice
• accessing grants
• paperwork and liaising with training providers
• ongoing mentoring throughout the apprenticeship.

England

In England CITB deliver apprenticeships through the National Construction College at Bircham Newton in Norfolk and Erith in Kent.

Funding, and support for apprenticeships with training providers and colleges across the country, can be provided through the New Entrant Support Team (NEST)

Scotland

What happens after you’ve applied for an apprentice in Scotland?

Once we receive your vacancy, we'll provide you with any suitable applicants we have available to interview so you can choose the apprentice that’s right for your business. Or if you have already found a potential apprentice, you can help them apply online so that we have their details.

When you’ve decided who you’d like to take on, an Apprenticeship Development Officer (ADO) will contact you to help complete the apprenticeship agreement paperwork, and make sure Health & Safety Checks are in place to meet the requirement of taking on an apprentice.  This may be done at a face to face meeting or remotely, as appropriate.

If you are eligible for grants, your ADO will let you know how to apply and outline how and when it will be paid.

They'll do all they can to keep the paperwork to a minimum, help with arranging training for your apprentice at college and when they can start working with you. 

• CITB supported apprentices benefit from the services of ADOs throughout their training
• CITB-registered employers can apply for grants for each apprentice's attendance and achievements throughout their course.

All CITB's apprenticeship training is developed in consultation with industry, meaning an apprentice will learn the right skills for the job.

Wales

Employers in Wales are supported by New Entrant Support Team (NEST) advisers, who can also arrange CITB’s Specialist Trade Contracts (also known as Niche Contracts), for when apprenticeships in a chosen trade are not available at a training provider in Wales.