Apply now for the incentive payment for hiring a new apprentice

Reminder: steps to take before you apply

There are 6 steps employers need to have completed before they apply for an incentive payment for hiring a new apprentice:

1. They need to have registered an account on the apprenticeship service

2. If they do not pay the apprenticeship levy, they need to have reserved funds in their apprenticeship service account

3. They need to have recruited an apprentice

4. They need to have added their apprentice to their apprenticeship service account

5. They need to have agreed a start date for apprenticeship training to begin with their training provider

6. They need to have accepted the latest version of the ESFA employer agreement

If employers require support with any of these steps, they can watch how-to videos, check the advice on apprenticeships.gov.uk or visit the help portal, where they can access help articles, webchat with an adviser, call (0800 150 600) or text (07588 690018), or email the helpdesk.

Eligibility of apprentice

To employ an apprentice, you need to check and meet the following terms and conditions.

Your apprentice should:

– be 16 years old or older by the end of the summer holidays
– not be in full-time education
– work in a role that is relevant to their apprenticeship
– work enough paid hours each week to undertake sufficient training to achieve their apprenticeship

You cannot apply for an existing employee who joined your organisation before 1 April 2021, even if they started an apprenticeship after this date.

What you can use the payment for

The payment is different to apprenticeship levy funds, so you can spend it on anything to support your organisation’s costs. For example, on uniforms, your apprentice’s travel or their salary. You do not have to pay it back.