An apprenticeship is a work-based training programme that develops an employee's knowledge, skills, and behaviours to perform in their specific job role. The training is designed to be flexible to meet the needs of both the individual and their employer.
Apprenticeships offer a cost-effective way to attract fresh talent and invest in workforce development, which helps reduce skills shortages and minimise staff turnover. Trained staff with the right skills can take on new responsibilities, leading to increased productivity and an improved customer experience.
Employers can recruit candidates themselves or they can use Lift Schools' free apprentice recruitment service. Email recruitapp@liftschools.org for more details. This service is optional and available at no extra cost.
If an apprentice leaves the programme without completing, there is no financial penalty for the apprentice or employer. We encourage a thorough interview process to ensure that schools employ the right candidates from the outset.
You have to be 16 and above but there is no upper limit on age. The majority of our apprentices are aged between 30 and 50. Apprenticeship training can be used for new recruits or to upskill existing staff, including graduates. Lift Schools ensures there is a sufficient gap in the individual's existing skills and knowledge so they will truly benefit from the training.
Yes. Apprenticeships are for existing staff who want to upskill in their current role or move into a new one. Enroling an employee on an apprenticeship does not require any change to their salary.
All apprenticeships follow national standards consisting of three stages: on-programme learning (learning and applying knowledge at work), pre-assessment review and preparation (where the apprentice shows they meet the standard), and the end-point assessment (demonstrating competence to an independent assessor).
Lift Schools guides both the employer and apprentice through every stage, managing compliance so you never have to navigate the process alone.
The duration varies depending on the specific standard, but programmes are usually at least 12 months in length, with most taking between 12 and 24 months to complete.
Lift Schools takes a blended delivery approach, including coaching sessions, workshops (delivered individually or in groups), and online sessions through a virtual learning environment. Apprentices use an e-portfolio system to store work and track progress, which employers can also access to monitor development.
Most apprentices spend a minimum of six hours a week on average on their apprenticeship work, although this will also include activities such as shadowing experienced staff, applying new knowledge, developing new skills as well as more traditional learning. This work must be completed during your normal paid working hours at times agreed upon with your employer.
All Lift Schools apprenticeships can be adapted to meet the needs of individual MATs, schools, or individual learners. Our programmes are delivered in partnership with employers, and we adapt the training plan to ensure it meets both employer and learner requirements.
Your role is to work with the Lift Schools coach to help the apprentice become fully competent. This involves planning a programme that fills learning gaps, providing the time and space for learning, and ensuring the apprentice applies their new skills between sessions. You are also expected to meet regularly with the apprentice and coach to review progress and provide feedback.
Managers typically spend up to an hour every 10-12 weeks on formal progress reviews with the apprentice and Lift Schools coach, alongside standard day-to-day supervision.
Lift Schools' experienced apprenticeships team handles the heavy lifting and walks employers through all required paperwork quickly and efficiently.
For employers with an annual wage bill over £3 million, training is funded by the apprenticeship levy. If the wage bill is below this threshold, the government covers 100% of the costs for apprentices aged 16-21 and 75% for those aged 25+ and over, although it is possible for levy transfers to be arranged for the full 100% of the fees. Get a free levy consultation or email apprenticeships@liftschools.org for further information.
All apprentices must be paid a salary from day one. While the minimum rate (as of April 2026) is £8.00 per hour for those under 19 or in their first year, Lift Schools strongly encourages employers to pay more to attract high-calibre candidates.
Yes. Apprentices have the same holiday rights as other employees, which is a minimum of 5.6 weeks’ paid statutory annual leave per year.
Get in touch with our school partnership experts today to discuss how we can support your trust or school’s workforce strategy using our fully funded, zero-travel training model.
Fill out our short vacancy form opposite to tell us more about who you are looking for. A member of our recruitment team will be in touch shortly to arrange an initial call.
