Hiring an apprentice can help you grow your business, pass on your skills and build a reliable workforce for the future.
This guide is for small and medium-sized construction businesses who want clear, practical information on how construction apprenticeships work, what support is available, and where to find reliable information to help you decide whether taking on an apprentice is right for your business.
Is taking on an apprentice right for your business?
Construction apprenticeships work best for businesses that are willing to invest time as well as money.
You may be well suited to taking on an apprentice if you:
- Have a steady flow of work and the ability to plan ahead
- Can provide day-to-day supervision on site
- Want to train someone to work to your standards and ways of working
An apprentice is an employee, not a short-term solution to labour shortages. When managed properly, apprenticeships can help SME builders develop skilled, loyal workers and strengthen their business over the long term.
What does hiring a construction apprentice involve?
When you hire a construction apprentice, you employ someone who works for your business while training towards a recognised qualification.
In practice, this means:
- The apprentice is employed by you and paid a wage
- Their time is split between working on site and structured training
- A training provider delivers the formal training and assessments
As the employer, your role is to provide real on-site experience, supervision and support. The training provider helps manage the qualification requirements and works with you to support the apprentice’s progress.
In this short video, FMB members David Smallcombe and Charlie Braidwood from David Smallcombe Ltd share why they’re committed to training the next generation of construction professionals. Apprentice Harry Castle also talks about the highlights of his experience so far.
Video length: under three minutes
Where can I find information about construction apprenticeships?
The construction apprenticeship system can feel fragmented, with information spread across different organisations.
The sources below provide reliable, up-to-date information to help employers understand how apprenticeships work, what options are available, and how to get started.
Construction Industry Training Board (CITB)
CITB is the industry training board in England, Scotland and Wales, and its purpose is to support the construction industry to attract talent and support skills development. It's the main training provider for the construction industry in the UK, and all construction businesses are required by law to register with the CITB.
CITB Northern Ireland (CITB NI)
CITB operates separately in Northern Ireland as CITB NI, which is a strategic partner of CITB.
CITB Levy payments
CITB charges a ‘levy’, which is imposed on employers in the construction sector that are ‘engaged wholly or mainly in construction industry activities’. The levy amounts are calculated on a company’s total wage bill and some exemptions and reductions apply for small employers.
Grants and training
CITB provides a wide range of grants and funding to support training needs within the construction industy, and also provides access to training courses. In addition to funding support, CITB training advisers help businesses to determine their training needs and then access support and funding available to them to deliver training.
CITB support services
In addition to providing grants and training courses, the CITB offers a wide range of support services and resources related to training and skills for construction businesses. Other services include e-learning, card checks (e.g. CSCS cards), HS&E tests, short courses, and events. The CITB also publishes information on industry training standards and frameworks.
Learn more about how CITB supports the skills needs of the construction sector in the UK.
England
General information
- Apprenticeships.gov.uk
Through this website the Government provides information to employers on how to find a training provider, advertise available apprenticeship positions and access funding. You can also access information about the benefits of hiring an apprentice.
Other industry resources
- Constructure - formerly the Cross-industry Construction Apprenticeship Taskforce (CCATF)
Constructure is a cross-industry initiative designed to increase apprenticeship training within the industry by encouraging and supporting employers to take on apprentices. It supports greater collaboration among industry peers and stakeholders and also provides employers with information on the benefits of employing apprentices. - London Progression Collaboration
The LPC offers fully-funded apprenticeship support to levy-paying businesses in Greater London with undertaking the practical steps to take on apprentices - Leeds College of Building
The Leeds College of Building is the UK’s only specialist Further Education construction college, and it provides a recruitment service to employers looking for apprentices.
Northern Ireland
General information
- NI Business Info
NI Business Info provides information for employers who are planning to take on an apprentice and deliver work-based training. - NI Direct government services
NI Direct also publishes general information on apprenticeships in Northern Ireland for both employers and those wanting to start an apprenticeship.
Other industry resources
- Construction Industry Training Board Northern Ireland
CITB NI has produced a Guide to Construction Apprenticeships for Employers, which includes information on apprenticeship levels and types for construction, links to training providers, options for publishing apprenticeship vacancies and details about funding and grants.
Scotland
General information
- Apprenticeships.scot
The Scottish Government website, which provides information on general apprenticeship support including how apprenticeships are funded, who delivers training in Scotland, the role of employers and how to get involved.
Other industry resources
- Skills Development Scotland (SDS)
SDS is Scotland's national skills agency. The organisation provides information on construction apprenticeship frameworks.
For the latest information on construction apprenticeships in Scotland, please contact FMB Scotland Director Gordon Nelson.
Wales
General information
- Careers Wales
Careers Wales is a government website that provides general information on apprenticeships including information on associated costs, recruitment incentives, where to advertise an apprenticeship vacancy, and how to access support schemes. - Welsh Government
Welsh Government also provide details on how to recruit an apprentice.
Other industry resources
- Shared Apprenticeship Services
Cyfle Building Skills administer a shared apprenticeship service across five local authority regions in South West Wales - Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, Neath Port-Talbot, Pembrokeshire and Swansea. Acting as a Shared Apprenticeship Agency (SAA), they rotate apprentices with different employers to gain a wider breadth of experience. - Medr
Medr is Wales’s Commission for Tertiary Education and Research. It offers funding for employers taking on an apprentice at levels 2 to 5 in Wales, and is offering further incentives to recruit a person who is disabled until 31 July 2027.
What financial support is available to help businesses train an apprentice?
Cost is one of the biggest concerns for SME builders considering an apprentice.
There is financial support available to help with training costs and, in some cases, additional payments depending on the size of your business and the age of the apprentice. The level of support can change, so it is important to check the latest guidance before making a decision.
UK-wide support schemes
- Shared Apprenticeship Services - formerly Shared Apprenticeship Schemes.
Shared Apprenticeship Services operates in England and Wales and allows employers to take on an apprentice for a short duration with no commitment to completing the full program. The service is supported by CITB, which is investing £1million into it.
England
- Apprenticeship grants for employers
CITB provide grants for apprenticeships of Level 2 if your company is CITB registered and up-to-date on its Levy payments. The grants cover off-the-job attendance and achievement of the apprenticeship.
Attendance grant: £2,500 per year.
Achievement grant: £3,500 on successful completion.
There is an additional amount available for Interior Systems Installer apprenticeships. - Government support for non-levy payers
Employers pay 5% towards the cost of training and assessing an apprentice. The Government will pay the rest (95%) up to the funding band maximum, which will be paid directly to the training provider.
Northern Ireland
- CITB NI Grants
Businesses registered with CITB NI can claim £6,500 for a fully employed apprentice over a three year period. - Apprenticeships NI - Employer Incentive Payments
Under this programme, payments are made to employers whose employees successfully complete their Level 2 and/or Level 3 apprenticeship framework. Incentives range from £670 to £2,008 depending on the level of complexity of the apprenticeship and the age of the apprentice.
Scotland
- CITB Apprenticeship Grant on Approved Apprenticeships
This grant covers off-the-job attendance with an approved Apprenticeship training provider, and achievement of an apprenticeship. You can only apply for grants for directly employed individuals.
Attendance grant (for starts from 1 April 2020): £2,500 per year.
Achievement grant: £3,500 on successful completion.
For the latest information on the financial support available to help businesses train an apprentice in Scotland, please contact FMB Scotland Director Gordon Nelson.
Wales
- CITB Apprenticeship Grant on Approved Apprenticeships
This grant covers off-the-job attendance with an approved Apprenticeship training provider, and achievement of an apprenticeship. You can only apply for grants for directly employed individuals.
Attendance grant (for starts from 1 April 2020): £2,500 per year.
Achievement grant: £3,500 on successful completion.
What other funding and support is available for training?
Schemes are not necessarily wholly related to apprenticeships.
CITB funding schemes
- CITB funding schemes for skills and training
CITB grants and funding for SME businesses has changed. However, all Level 2 and above construction apprenticeships remain funded. Contact CITB's New Entrant Support Team at [email protected] to find out what funding options are available. - Qualification grants including short-period qualifications (less than one year), long-period qualifications (more than one year), work experience grants and Specialist Applied-skills programme grants.
- Short course grants for course that last from three hours to 29 days and are focused on core construction skills.
Talent Retention Scheme
- Talent Retention Scheme
The Talent Retention Scheme was established by the Construction Leadership Council in response to the COVID-19 pandemic - it now continues to support construction workers and employers with their search for contract and permanent roles as well as apprenticeships.
National Skills Fund
- National Skills Fund
The National Skills Fund supports adults aged 24 and over who want to achieve their first Level 3 qualification. Courses will be varied and will include qualifications in building and construction. Funding for providers is yet to be announced.
Real experiences from FMB members and apprentices
For National Apprenticeship Week 2026, we've partnered with MKM Building Supplies to shine a light on the positive impact that apprenticeships make in the construction industry, by sharing apprentice and FMB member experiences and advice:
"I get to work and study at the same time while building different connections." - Lauren, Apprentice at McLoughlin Group.
"If you bring apprentices in, you're bringing in new blood into the industry and it's good for your business." - Kevin, Director at Mcloughlin Group.
“The day-to-day skills have really taught me a lot to focus on and learn more." - Seth, Apprentice at Neways Group.
"Apprentices have allowed the team to be able to delegate stuff and move jobs on quicker." - Simon, Director at Neways Group.
How the FMB supports apprenticeships
The Federation of Master Builders supports construction employers by actively contributing to how apprenticeships are developed and promoted across the industry.
The FMB Training Group also brings together members who are passionate about training the next generation of tradespeople to a high standard. The group includes representatives from the Department for Education and CITB, and focuses on promoting education and training projects in construction, with a particular emphasis on apprenticeships and attracting new entrants into the industry.
The FMB Trailblazer Group works alongside The Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education on the development of a multi-trade apprenticeship. A high-quality, multi-trade apprenticeship would support many FMB members by helping to recruit tradespeople with a broader range of on-site skills.
Both groups are member-led and open to any FMB members who want to support skills and training in construction. To get involved, email [email protected].
Inspiring the next generation
Become a Construction Ambassador
Do you want to inspire others to pursue a career in construction? Join the CITB's Construction Ambassador programme to engage with young people through careers fairs, presentations and workshops.
Become an End Point Assessor
Industry professionals who wish to mix up their “on the tools” work with apprenticeship assessments are encouraged to become an End Point Assessor to help ensure an apprentice’s competence is assessed to the highest industry standards.
As each devolved nation runs a different system to recruit and train assessors please contact the FMB in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales to find out more.
Frequently asked questions about construction apprenticeships
Can small construction businesses take on an apprentice?
Yes. Many construction apprentices are trained by small and medium-sized businesses. Apprenticeships are designed to work for employers of all sizes, and support is available to help smaller businesses manage the process.
Do I need to have formal training experience to employ an apprentice?
No. You do not need previous experience of training apprentices. The training provider supports the formal learning and assessment, while you provide on-site experience and day-to-day supervision as part of normal working arrangements.
How long does a construction apprenticeship last?
Construction apprenticeships typically last between one and four years, depending on the trade and level. The training provider can confirm the expected duration before you take someone on.
How much time will the apprentice spend off site?
Apprentices spend part of their time in training, which may take place at a college, training centre or through a mix of on-site and off-site learning. The structure depends on the apprenticeship standard and training provider.
Will an apprentice slow my site down?
Apprentices need supervision, particularly at the start. Over time, they can become productive members of your team who are trained to work safely and to your standards.
What happens if work slows down?
Training providers can offer advice and flexibility if workloads change. It’s important to speak to them early if your circumstances shift.
What if the apprentice leaves?
No employment is risk-free, but apprenticeships often lead to higher loyalty when employers feel supported and apprentices are trained properly from the outset.
Article updated: February 2026
