Apprenticeships

Whether you are looking to start an apprenticeship scheme, enhance your current offerings, or need guidance on navigating the complexities of apprenticeship regulations, we have you covered.

Apprenticeships

Apprenticeships are a powerful way to cultivate talent, fill skills gaps, and invest in the future of your business. They provide hands-on experience and formal training, ensuring that apprentices gain the practical skills and theoretical knowledge needed to excel in their careers.

83%

rely on Apprenticeships to fill skills gaps

92%

Improves motivation and satisfaction

78%

improves productivity

74%

improves quality of product or service

80%

boosts bottom line

^ According to survey responses from businesses currently employing apprentices.

Explore our apprenticeship resources to see how we can help you create a successful apprenticeship programme that benefits both your business and your community.

What is an apprenticeship?

What is an apprenticeship?

An apprenticeship is a work-based training programme designed around the needs of employers, used to train both new and existing employees.
Workforce Development
Apprenticeship funding and costs

Apprenticeship funding and costs

Government will fund 100% of training costs (up to a maximum) for all apprentices under 25 - and fund 95% of costs for those 25 and over.
Workforce Development
Flexible Apprenticeships

Flexible Apprenticeships

'Flexi-job’ apprenticeships support industries reliant on short-term workers and help apprentices whose placements end abruptly.
Employing Young People
View all business advice
Apprentices and redundancy

Apprentices and redundancy

Apprentices have the same standing as employees when it comes to redundancy.

Support for employers
Using apprenticeships to train and develop existing staff

Using apprenticeships to train and develop existing staff

Apprenticeships are beneficial for both the candidate and your organisation. Small businesses in the UK are investing time in training...
Upskilling Employees
Your Business Questions Answered

Your Business Questions Answered

Our experienced advisers and mentors are on hand to help you find the solutions you need.
Growing your Business
View all business advice

Watch Recorded Webinars

Webinar icon

Attracting new talent and developing your team through Apprenticeships

Organiser: Buckinghamshire College Group

In this webinar, we hear from a number of local employers who have had great success employing Apprentices and look at ways your business can benefit too.

  • 7 February, 2024

Share an Apprenticeship Opportunity

Buckinghamshire Business First members can share their Apprenticeship opportunities in the Jobs section of our website.

Share an Opportunity

Upcoming Events

Bucks Skills Show 2027 - exhibition spaces available
3
Mar

Bucks Skills Show 2027 - exhibition spaces available

Organiser: Buckinghamshire Business First

Have a skills shortage? Think that young people are not work-ready? Book a stand to meet and inspire the next generation of your team!
  • Aylesbury
  • £100.00
Conference

Real Businesses: Real Impact

'Hire for attitude, train for skill': Solstrand hire apprentices for succession planning

'Hire for attitude, train for skill': Solstrand hire apprentices for succession planning

The engineering firm has shown that being open to new ideas can be a solution to skills shortages and key to a sustainable business future.
How you can reap the rewards of taking on an apprentice

How you can reap the rewards of taking on an apprentice

The owner of TP Smart Repairs knows his firm would not be the thriving business it is without the apprentices at the heart of the company.
NicLen found their next star employee at the Bucks Skills Show

NicLen found their next star employee at the Bucks Skills Show

For help recruiting new staff, NicLen turned to Bucks Skills Hub & were soon engaged with local schools, supporting young people's futures.
Breaking down barriers and being a Disability Confident business

Breaking down barriers and being a Disability Confident business

Joining the Disability Confident scheme, Arrow Planning are the latest company to gain confidence to build an inclusive recruitment process.

New: Funded apprenticeship units

Employers in Buckinghamshire can now access short, government‑funded apprenticeship units to upskill employees without committing to a full apprenticeship.

Launched from April 2026, apprenticeship units are Skills England‑approved training programmes designed to address specific skills needs quickly. Units are typically completed in 1–16 weeks and are fully funded through the government’s Growth and Skills Levy.

To be eligible:

  • the learner must be aged 19+ and employed
  • the unit must be Skills England‑approved
  • the training must meet a clear business skills need

Current units focus on priority areas, including:

  • Engineering and advanced manufacturing
  • Clean energy and green technologies
  • Construction
  • Artificial intelligence (AI)

It is expected that further funded units will be introduced later in 2026, including:

  • Digital and software development
  • Leadership and management
  • Creative sector‑specific skills

To find out whether apprenticeship units could support your business, contact the Workforce Skills team at Buckinghamshire Business First.

Workforce Skills

Meet our dedicated Workforce Skills team, ready to empower your business with expert guidance on recruitment, training, compliance, and more. Discover how we can help you build and nurture a talented, diverse workforce that drives success.

Workforce Skills

Workforce Skills

Do you have a strong, diverse & future-proofed workforce? We can help you recruit, retain and grow the talent your business needs to thrive.
Workforce Development