How much does it cost to hire an electrical apprentice?

For non-levy employers (annual payroll below £3 million), the employer contribution, for starts from 1 August 2026, is nothing for an apprentice aged 16 to 24 at the start and 5% of the training costs for an apprentice aged 25 or over, up to the funding band maximum (DfE funding rules 2026 to 2027, rules 213 to 214). For the Installation and Maintenance Electrician standard (ST0152) the funding band maximum is £23,000, so a 25+ apprentice costs you up to £1,150 over three to four years. Any price above the band is paid in full by the employer. You also pay the apprentice's wages, National Insurance contributions, and any personal protective equipment or tool costs. Levy-paying employers pay nothing from their own pocket — all costs are drawn from their Digital Apprenticeship Service (DAS) account.

What is the ESFA and how does it fund apprenticeships?

The Department for Education (DfE) funds apprenticeships in England (the ESFA's work moved into the DfE in 2025). For non-levy employers it pays 100% of training costs for apprentices aged 16 to 24 and 95% for those aged 25 or over, directly to the approved training provider. Levy-paying employers (payroll over £3 million) pay the Apprenticeship Levy at 0.5% of their annual wage bill (with a £15,000 annual allowance), and these funds sit in a Digital Apprenticeship Service account from which training costs are drawn. Employers must use an ESFA-registered training provider to access any government funding.

What qualifications does an electrical apprentice work towards?

Under the Level 3 Electrician Apprenticeship Standard (ST0152), apprentices work towards the Level 3 electrotechnical qualification (for example City & Guilds 5357) and then take the end-point assessment (EPA), run by NET. Under assessment plan v1.2 the EPA has three parts, each pass or fail: the AM2S practical, an online knowledge test and the apprentice’s behaviours, confirmed by the employer. On completion, apprentices typically hold the qualifications required for JIB Approved Electrician grade and can apply for ECS Gold Card (Electrotechnical Certification Scheme).

What is the apprentice National Minimum Wage?

The National Minimum Wage for apprentices is £8.00 per hour from 1 April 2026. This rate applies to all apprentices in their first year and to those under 19 years old in any year. Once an apprentice is 19 or older AND has completed their first year, they are entitled to the National Minimum Wage for their age band (e.g., £12.71 per hour for those aged 21+). Most electrical employers pay above the minimum — the JIB sets a fixed hourly rate for each apprentice stage rather than a percentage of the Approved Electrician rate. From 5 January 2026 the National Standard rates are: Stage 1 £8.16, Stage 2 £10.60, Stage 3 £13.05, Stage 4 £14.03 per hour. London Zone rates are £9.14, £11.88, £14.62 and £15.72. Each stage rate covers all hours worked, including off-the-job training.

Do I need to register my apprentice with the JIB?

Yes. If you are a JIB-registered employer (which most NICEIC and NAPIT members are), you must register your apprentice with the Joint Industry Board (JIB) at the start of their employment. Registration establishes the apprentice's grade (Apprentice Stage 1), entitles them to JIB benefits (such as the Welfare Benefit Scheme and ECS Card), and creates their employment record which is used for future grading assessments. Registration is done online through the JIB portal and costs a small annual fee.

Can I take on an apprentice if I am a sole trader?

Yes. Sole traders can hire apprentices and access ESFA funding. You must have a Digital Apprenticeship Service (DAS) account (free to set up at gov.uk), choose an ESFA-registered training provider, and sign an apprenticeship agreement with the apprentice. As a non-levy employer you pay nothing towards training for an apprentice aged 16 to 24, and 5% for one aged 25 or over. Bear in mind that as the sole employer you will personally be responsible for all mentoring and supervision — you cannot take on an apprentice if you cannot guarantee adequate on-site supervision throughout their training.

What happens if my business cannot keep the apprentice for the full term?

If you need to end the apprenticeship early, you must notify the training provider and the ESFA. The apprentice may be able to transfer to another employer and continue their apprenticeship from where they left off — this is called an apprenticeship transfer. The JIB and some training providers maintain lists of employers willing to take on transferred apprentices. You should only end an apprenticeship as a last resort, and you must follow standard employment law procedures including notice periods and, where applicable, redundancy rules.

EMPLOYER GUIDE

Hiring Electrical Apprentices UK: Employer Guide 2025

Everything you need to know about taking on an electrical apprentice — government funding (all training costs for 16 to 24-year-olds at non-levy firms), levy vs non-levy rules, JIB paperwork, apprentice wages, choosing a training provider, and your mentoring responsibilities.

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13 min readUpdated 2026-10-28Andrew Moore, Founder of Elec-Mate

Written and reviewed by Andrew Moore, founder of Elec-Mate, against BS 7671:2018+A4:2026, IET Guidance Note 3 and the IET On-Site Guide.

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Key takeaways

01For starts from 1 August 2026 the Department for Education funds 100% of training for apprentices aged 16 to 24 at non-levy employers, and 95% for apprentices aged 25 or over (DfE funding rules 2026 to 2027, rules 213 to 214). Levy payers use their levy funds.
02Electrical apprenticeships in England follow the Level 3 Electrician Apprenticeship Standard (ST0152), which replaced the older framework and includes end-point assessment (EPA).
03The National Minimum Wage for apprentices is £8.00 per hour (from 1 April 2026), but most electrical employers pay above this — the JIB sets a fixed hourly rate for each apprentice stage, from £8.16 (Stage 1) to £14.03 (Stage 4), effective 5 January 2026.
04You must register your apprentice with the Joint Industry Board (JIB) within the first few weeks of employment to establish their grading and entitlement to JIB benefits.
05Non-levy employers pay nothing for apprentices aged 16 to 24 at the start and 5% for those aged 25 or over, up to the funding band maximum; the government pays the rest directly to the training provider.

01 · Employer Guide

How Electrical Apprenticeships Work for Employers

Taking on an electrical apprentice is one of the most cost-effective ways to grow your workforce. You recruit the apprentice directly, sign an apprenticeship agreement, and the government (via the ESFA) funds the vast majority of their training costs at college or with a training provider.

In England, electrical apprenticeships follow the Level 3 Electrician Apprenticeship Standard (ST0152), introduced to replace the older framework apprenticeships. The standard typically lasts three to four years for school leavers, or can be compressed for mature entrants with prior electrical knowledge.

Off-the-job training — the apprentice must receive at least the off-the-job hours published on their apprenticeship standard, in paid working time (college, online learning, or structured workplace training). This is a statutory requirement and a funding condition (DfE funding rules 2026 to 2027, rules 85 to 86). Your training provider will help you track and record this time.
End-point assessment (EPA) — at the end of the apprenticeship, the apprentice is assessed by NET, the only end-point assessment organisation for this standard. Under plan v1.2 the EPA is the AM2S practical, an online knowledge test and the apprentice’s behaviours, which you confirm by signing a declaration at gateway. Each part is pass or fail, and passing all three completes the apprenticeship.
Apprenticeship agreement — you must sign a written apprenticeship agreement with the apprentice setting out the terms of employment, training, and the apprenticeship standard being followed. This is a legal requirement under the Apprenticeships, Skills, Children and Learning Act 2009.
Commitment statement — you, the training provider, and the apprentice must all sign a commitment statement at the start of the apprenticeship. This sets out the planned content, schedule, and expectations of all three parties.

Apprenticeships are employment contracts, not just training arrangements. Your apprentice is a full employee with all associated employment rights — holiday pay, sick pay, pension auto-enrolment (once eligible), and protection from unfair dismissal after two years.

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02 · Employer Guide

ESFA Funding: How the Government Pays for Training

The Education & Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) administers apprenticeship funding in England. The amount of government support depends on whether your business pays the Apprenticeship Levy.

Funding band maximum — each apprenticeship standard has a maximum funding band. For the Installation and Maintenance Electrician standard (ST0152) this is £23,000 (DfE funding rules 2025 to 2026, Annex C). Training costs must not exceed this cap. Your training provider will agree a price within the band.
Additional payments — if your apprentice is aged 16 to 18 at the start (or 19 to 24 with an EHC plan or care leaver status), £1,000 is paid to you and £1,000 to the training provider (rule 125). Non-levy employers also receive a £2,000 hiring payment for a 16 to 24-year-old whose practical period starts from 1 October 2026 (rule 133).
Digital Apprenticeship Service (DAS) — all employers must manage their apprenticeships through the DAS account on gov.uk. This is where you find approved training providers, approve training costs, and manage payments. Setting up a DAS account is free and straightforward.
What funding does NOT cover — ESFA funding covers training and assessment costs only. It does not cover apprentice wages, PPE, tools, travel, or any other employment costs. These are entirely your responsibility as the employer.

03 · Employer Guide

Levy vs Non-Levy Employers

The Apprenticeship Levy was introduced in April 2017. Whether your business pays it determines how apprenticeship training costs are funded.

Levy-paying employers — businesses with an annual wage bill above £3 million pay the Apprenticeship Levy at 0.5% of their payroll, minus a £15,000 annual allowance. These funds accumulate in a DAS account and must be used for apprenticeship training within 24 months or they expire. Large electrical contractors and M&E firms are typically levy payers. Levy funds can be transferred to supply chain partners (including small subcontractors) up to 25% of total levy funds.
Non-levy employers — businesses with a wage bill below £3 million (the vast majority of independent electrical contractors) pay nothing for an apprentice aged 16 to 24 at the start, for starts from 1 August 2026. For an apprentice aged 25 or over they pay 5% and the government 95% (DfE funding rules 2026 to 2027, rules 213 to 214). For a £20,000 training programme, a 25+ apprentice costs you £1,000 spread over three to four years.
Levy transfer — if you are a small non-levy employer and have a good relationship with a large M&E contractor who is a levy payer, ask whether they can transfer levy funds to cover your training costs entirely. Large employers can transfer up to 25% of their levy pot to other employers, and many are incentivised to do so to prevent funds expiring unused.

04 · Employer Guide

Apprentice Wages: Minimum Rates and JIB Rates

Apprentice wages are your responsibility as the employer. The statutory minimum is low, but most electrical employers — especially JIB members — pay considerably more to attract and retain good apprentices.

National Minimum Wage (apprentice rate) — £8.00 per hour from 1 April 2026. This applies to all apprentices in their first year, and to apprentices under 19 in any year. Once an apprentice is 19 or older and past their first year, the age-band NMW applies (£12.71 per hour for those aged 21+).
JIB apprentice rates — the Joint Industry Board sets a fixed hourly rate for each apprentice stage, not a percentage of the Approved Electrician rate. From 5 January 2026 the National Standard rates are Stage 1 £8.16, Stage 2 £10.60, Stage 3 £13.05 and Stage 4 £14.03 per hour. London Zone rates are £9.14, £11.88, £14.62 and £15.72. A single rate now covers all hours including off-the-job training — the separate lower "at college" rate has been removed for England, Wales and Northern Ireland. For comparison, the Approved Electrician rate is £20.08 per hour (National Standard, transport provided).
Travel time and expenses — under the JIB Working Rule Agreement (WRA), apprentices are entitled to travel time and travel allowances on the same basis as qualified electricians. Make sure your payroll reflects this, especially for apprentices travelling to college days.
Pension auto-enrolment — apprentices must be auto-enrolled into a workplace pension once they meet the age and earnings criteria (aged 22+, earnings above £10,000/year). Most electrical apprentices will meet these thresholds before the end of their apprenticeship.

05 · Employer Guide

Choosing a Training Provider

Your training provider delivers the off-the-job learning and prepares the apprentice for their end-point assessment. Choosing the right provider significantly affects the quality of your apprentice's training.

ESFA registered providers — you must use a provider on the ESFA Register of Apprenticeship Training Providers (RoATP). Search the Find Apprenticeship Training service at gov.uk to find providers delivering ST0152 in your area.
Ofsted rating — check the provider's most recent Ofsted inspection rating. Good or Outstanding-rated providers deliver better outcomes. Inadequate or Requires Improvement providers should be avoided — ESFA may also withdraw their registration.
Achievement rates — ask providers for their achievement rates for electrical apprenticeships. The national average is around 55 to 65%. A provider with achievement rates significantly below this warrants further scrutiny.
Location and delivery model — consider travel time for your apprentice on college days. Some providers offer day-release, block-release (residential), or blended online/on-site models. Day-release (one day per week at college) is the most common for electrical apprenticeships.

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06 · Employer Guide

JIB Paperwork and Registration

The Joint Industry Board (JIB) is the industry body that manages grading, employment conditions, and benefits for electricians working in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Most employers who are NICEIC or NAPIT registered are also JIB employers and must follow the JIB Working Rule Agreement.

Apprentice registration — register your apprentice with the JIB online within the first few weeks of employment. You will need: the apprentice's personal details, NI number, start date, training provider details, and your JIB employer registration number.
ECS Apprentice Card — once registered, the apprentice applies for an Electrotechnical Certification Scheme (ECS) Apprentice Card. This must be carried on site and proves they are a registered apprentice. Many principal contractors will not allow unregistered apprentices on site.
Annual registration renewal — JIB apprentice registration must be renewed annually. The training provider usually handles this in conjunction with the employer. Failure to renew means the apprentice may not be covered by the JIB Welfare Benefit Scheme.
Grading on completion — on successful completion of the apprenticeship standard and EPA, submit the apprentice's grading application to the JIB for Approved Electrician status. This entitles them to an ECS Gold Card and the full Approved Electrician rate under the Working Rule Agreement — £20.08 per hour (National Standard, transport provided) from 5 January 2026.

07 · Employer Guide

Your Mentoring Responsibility

As an employer, you are legally and morally responsible for the on-site development of your apprentice. The ESFA requires that apprentices receive adequate supervision and mentoring throughout their apprenticeship.

Designated mentor — appoint a named, qualified electrician as the apprentice's workplace mentor. This person should ideally hold an Approved Electrician or Technician grade and have some experience of working with apprentices. A mentoring award (such as City & Guilds 6317) is not mandatory but is beneficial.
Regular reviews — you must participate in regular progress reviews with the apprentice and training provider, typically every 12 weeks. These reviews assess the apprentice's development against the apprenticeship standard and identify any support needed.
Varied work experience — expose your apprentice to a range of electrical work throughout their training: domestic, commercial, industrial, first fix, second fix, testing, and commissioning. The end-point assessment expects apprentices to demonstrate broad competence, not just one type of work.
Pastoral care — apprentices, particularly school leavers, may face personal challenges during their training. As the employer, you have a duty of care. Be approachable, address issues early, and signpost support services (such as the JIB Welfare Benefit Scheme which provides mental health support) when needed.

08 · Employer Guide

Managing Your Apprentice Day-to-Day with Elec-Mate

Once your apprentice is on board, the practical challenge is keeping your business running smoothly while delivering the varied work experience and supervision they need. Elec-Mate's job scheduling tools make it easier to plan apprentice-appropriate work alongside your regular jobs.

Schedule College Days Automatically

Block out your apprentice's college day in the Elec-Mate scheduler so jobs are never booked that require them on their training day. Fewer scheduling conflicts means fewer awkward calls to clients.

Track Varied Work for EPA Evidence

Use job records in Elec-Mate to log the types of work your apprentice has assisted with. This creates a useful evidence base for progress reviews and end-point assessment preparation.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Hiring Electrical Apprentices

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