Apprenticeships for employers
Hire a new junior developer or AI practitioner, or train someone you already employ.
The training can be fully funded for apprentices aged 16 to 24 at smaller employers. We teach the specialist software and AI modules in Kilburn, London or live online, in partnership with an approved apprenticeship training provider.
Why take on an apprentice?
- Grow your own talent. Train people in your tools and your way of working.
- Low or no training cost. Government funding covers most or all of the training (see below).
- Extra payments. You may get up to £2,000 for hiring a young apprentice, plus £1,000 for a 16 to 18 year old.
- No employer National Insurance on eligible earnings for apprentices under 25.
- Loyalty. Apprentices often stay and grow with the business.
- Practical, project-based teaching from tutors who build real web and AI projects every day.
Apprenticeships we can support
Software Development Technician, ST0128
- Level
- 3
- Typical length (practical period)
- 18 months
- Minimum off-the-job training
- 326 hours
- Funding band maximum
- £15,000
Software Developer, ST0116
- Level
- 4
- Typical length (practical period)
- 24 months
- Minimum off-the-job training
- 439 hours
- Funding band maximum
- £18,000
AI and Automation Practitioner, ST1512
- Level
- 4
- Typical length (practical period)
- 18 months
- Minimum off-the-job training
- 420 hours
- Funding band maximum
- £18,000
Source: Skills England apprenticeship standards (checked 31 October 2026). The funding band maximum is the most the government will put towards the training and assessment.
Our part. Fasttrack teaches specialist modules within these programmes, such as front-end and React development, or generative AI, prompting, agents and RAG. Your main provider teaches the rest, and arranges the end-point assessment. The exact modules are agreed with your main provider.
What does it cost? (for apprenticeships starting from 1 August 2026)
Training costs
| Your business | Apprentice aged 16–24 at the start | Apprentice aged 25 or over at the start |
|---|---|---|
| You do not pay the Apprenticeship Levy (most businesses with a pay bill under £3 million) | £0. The government pays 100%, up to the funding band maximum | You pay 5%, and the government pays 95%, up to the funding band maximum |
| You pay the levy | Paid from your levy funds. If your funds run out, the government pays 100% | Paid from your levy funds. If your funds run out, you pay 25% and the government pays 75% |
Example. A non-levy employer trains a 30-year-old existing employee on the Software Developer (Level 4) apprenticeship, at a price of £18,000. The employer pays 5%, which is £900, spread over the programme. The government pays £17,100. If the apprentice were 22, the employer would pay £0.
If the agreed price is above the funding band maximum, the employer pays the difference. Your main provider will agree the price with you in writing first.
Extra payments you may receive
- £1,000 if your apprentice is aged 16 to 18 at the start, or aged 19 to 24 with an Education, Health and Care plan or care-leaver status. The training provider also receives £1,000.
- Up to £2,000 hiring payment (non-levy employers): for new apprentices aged 16 to 24 starting from 1 October 2026, who joined you within the previous 90 days. It is paid in two instalments, the first after 90 days on the apprenticeship.
- No employer National Insurance on eligible earnings for apprentices under 25.
These payments go through your training provider and depend on eligibility. Your main provider will confirm what applies to you.
Your other costs
- Wages. Apprentices are employees. From 1 April 2026 the minimum is £8.00 an hour for apprentices under 19, or aged 19 or over in their first year. After that, it is the National Minimum Wage or National Living Wage for their age. Many tech employers pay more.
- Time for training. Apprentices must train during paid working hours (see below).
What you need to commit to
- A real job with a contract of employment, for at least the length of the apprenticeship. Usually this is 30 hours or more a week; part-time is possible with a longer programme.
- Off-the-job training in paid hours. Each apprenticeship has a minimum number of training hours (see the table above), and they must happen during the apprentice’s normal paid working hours. For our standards that is roughly 5 to 6 hours a week over the programme. Most employers release their apprentice one day a week for a block of weeks. If training ever has to happen outside working hours, the apprentice must agree and be paid or given time off in lieu.
- A line manager or mentor who supports the apprentice day to day.
- Regular progress reviews with the apprentice and the main provider.
- An apprenticeship service account (free) on GOV.UK, which you use to approve the apprenticeship and the provider.
How partnering works
| Who | What they do |
|---|---|
| You, the employer | Recruit or choose the apprentice, pay wages, give time for training, support learning at work |
| Main provider (our APAR-approved partner) | Your contract and funding, initial assessment, training plan, progress reviews, teaching part of the programme, safeguarding, arranging the end-point assessment. It is your main point of contact. |
| Fasttrack Technology Academy | Teaches the agreed specialist modules in Kilburn or online, during working hours. Records attendance, off-the-job hours and progress for the main provider. |
| End-point assessment organisation | Independent final assessment |
You will sign your apprenticeship agreement with the main provider, which will ask you to agree that Fasttrack teaches part of the programme. You never pay Fasttrack separately for the funded training, and your apprentice never pays anything.
Steps to get started
- Tell us what you need.Make an employer enquiry. We will reply within 2 working days.
- Discovery call.We talk about the role, the right standard and the timing, and introduce you to our partner main provider.
- Set up your apprenticeship service accounton GOV.UK, if you have not got one already, and add the main provider.
- Recruit.Advertise free on GOV.UK’s Find an apprenticeship service, or choose an existing employee.
- Agreements.The main provider checks eligibility, then you sign the training plan and agreements.
- Start.Your apprentice joins the next intake. See timetables and start dates.
FAQ for employers
Is Fasttrack an approved apprenticeship provider?
Fasttrack Technology Academy Ltd has a UK Provider Reference Number (UKPRN 10094826). We are not on the Apprenticeship Provider and Assessment Register ourselves. We teach part of the programme as a delivery partner of an approved main provider, which is allowed under the apprenticeship funding rules. Your contract and funding are with the main provider.
Can I put an existing employee on an apprenticeship?
Yes, if the apprenticeship gives them substantial new skills. The main provider checks this at the start.
Can I use apprenticeship funding for a contractor or a freelancer?
No. Apprentices must be your employees.
Where does the training happen?
At our campus at 2 Iverson Road, Kilburn, London NW6 2HE, or live online for apprentices elsewhere in England. All teaching is in groups, during working hours.
How much time away from work is it?
About one day a week while a module block is running, or the equivalent hours spread across the programme. The total depends on the standard and any prior learning.
Can my apprentice do training in the evening?
Only by exception, and only if they agree and you pay them or give time off in lieu. Most of the training must happen in normal working hours.
What if the apprentice leaves?
Talk to the main provider. Funding stops when the apprenticeship stops, and you can often recruit a replacement.
Ready to grow your team?
Fasttrack Technology Academy Ltd, company number 14392836, UKPRN 10094826. We are not on the Apprenticeship Provider and Assessment Register. We teach part of apprenticeship programmes as a delivery partner of an approved main provider.