Information for Employers
If you would like to discuss one of our apprenticeships further, or progress with enrolling an apprentice with us, please contact Kim, our Business Development Manager, by emailing apprenticeships@hope.ac.uk or call the team on 0151 291 2281.
What is an apprenticeship?
An apprenticeship is a way for an employee to combine work and higher-level learning to earn a recognised qualification. At Liverpool Hope University, we are offering Level 4 - Level 6 Apprenticeship courses. Level 6 Apprenticeships are the equivalent of an undergraduate degree and will give employees the opportunity to obtain a full bachelors degree. The apprentice would remain in or begin full-time employment and study alongside their job.
What does standard mean?
A standard is the approved apprenticeship that you have chosen for your apprentices to enrol onto. Skills England oversee this process. You can view all the apprenticeships currently approved for delivery on Skills England website and select the standard that is right for your workplace. Each apprenticeship standard page will also outline all the knowledge, skills and behaviours that the apprentice will need the opportunity to practice via their studies, workplace and job role.
How is an apprenticeship structured?
The structure of an apprenticeship will vary dependent upon your chosen standard. Some typical methods of delivery are 1 day a week, block delivery or asynchronous module delivery followed by agreed protected time for a number of weeks. You can find further information of this on your desired course page. However, typically an apprentice will have an agreed number of hours (see our off-the-job section) a week where they will be working towards the achievement of their standard. This time may involve attending the University, practicing new skills or writing assignments.
Recruitment Support
If you are looking to address your skills gaps by growing your workforce, we can provide support with this process. From picking the right standard, advertising and interviewing our Apprenticeships Team can provide tailored support to help you navigate hiring an apprentice. Contact our team to discuss the benefits and the package that we can offer.
What is on offer at Liverpool Hope University?
At Liverpool Hope University we are offering Level 4 - Level 6 (Degree) Apprenticeship courses, which will give employees the opportunity to obtain a full bachelors degree. We are currently offering:
- Employer Essentials: Youth Worker Degree Apprenticeship
- Employer Essentials: Primary Teacher Degree Apprenticeship
- Employer Essentials: Physiotherapy Apprenticeship
- Employer Essentials: Marketing Executive Apprenticeship
You can view full details of our course content on our 'Apprenticeship Courses' page.
By becoming an employer partner of Liverpool Hope University, we will work in partnership with you to help shape our region and transform lives. We were recently placed as the top University in the North West across eight categories, including Academic Support, Learning Opportunities and Mental Wellbeing Services, and ranked 4th in the UK for student satisfaction in the 2025 National Student Survey (NSS).
100% of our surveyed Employer Partners would recommend us! (December 2025)
Disclaimer
Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information provided for our Apprenticeship Courses, however, occasionally we have to make unforeseen changes.
On-the-Job and Off-the-Job (OTJ) hours
During an apprenticeship, the apprentice will need to complete both off-the-job and on-the-job activities. These hours will be agreed with your training provider before the apprenticeship commences via a document called the Training Plan.
What is Off-the-Job training?
Off-the-Job Training applies to any time an apprentice will be required to study or complete learning towards their apprenticeship knowledge, skills and behaviours. This may be at the Liverpool Hope University Campus, online training, practicing new skills or placements outside of their workplace, with flexibility to suit different employer needs where required.
The amount of time an apprentice will be required to study will vary depending on the course and subject area as well as the employer needs. However, it is a legal requirement that at least 20% of the employee’s normal working hours must be spent on training/learning. You can find out more information related to expectations for Off-the-Job (OTJ) Training on our individual course finder pages, via Our Apprenticeship Courses page.
At the end of the apprenticeship, the apprentice will complete an Apprenticeship Assessment (AA) to demonstrate their ability to perform in the job role. To be able to complete their AA, they need to have achieved the minimum number of Off-the-Job hours.
What is On-the-Job training?
On-the-job training is where the apprentice practices any new relevant knowledge or skills that is not required for the apprenticeship standard, but is required for their specific job role within the organisation. This training is not a requirement for the apprentice to complete their apprenticeship and can be completed during their normal working hours. Therefore, this training will be directed and delivered by the employer.
Funding the apprenticeship
The overall cost of an apprenticeship will depend on the subject and course your employee undertakes. However, the cost of studying an apprenticeship may be part-covered or fully covered by the Apprenticeship Levy, depending on your circumstances as an employer.
Employers with yearly pay bill of over £3 million
If your organisation earns a pay bill of more than £3 million, you will pay into a levy pot as you must pay this tax whether you currently employ apprentices or not. This funding is reserved for funding specific activities such as training employees via apprenticeships. It is within the employer’s best interest to spend your levy, as any funds not spent within 24 months will expire and be transferred back to the government. If you do not already have a one, your organisation will need to set up a Digital Apprenticeship Service Account to make payment to the Training Provider.
You can also use this pot to support other companies that do not have a pay bill of £3 million (and therefore no levy pot). You can transfer up to 25% of your funds to as many employers as you choose which can help with supporting SMEs access further training for their employees.
You can check your levy pot via your Digital Employer Account.
Employers with yearly pay bill of less than £3 million
If your organisation does not pay into a levy, you can still employ an apprentice. You have a few different options which are outlined below:
- Pay 5% of the cost
If your organisation does not pay into a levy, the government will pay 95% of the apprenticeship and you will pay the remaining 5%. This payment can be spread across the duration of the course via a payment plan. For more information on options for payment plans, please contact us directly.
There is some training that can be 100% funded by the government for SME's, so please see the section below relating to fully funded apprenticeship options. To secure the funding, please make an Apprenticeships Digital Service account and go to the finance section to reserve funding.
- Fully funded apprentices
From 1st April 2024, the government will provide 100% of the training cost funding for apprentices:
- aged 16 to 21 years old (or 15 if their 16th birthday is between the last Friday of June and 31 August).
- aged 22 to 24 years old with an education, health and care (EHC) plan provided by their local authority and/or have been in the care of the local authority.
- Levy transfer
You can find an organisation that does pay into the levy and ask them for a levy transfer for the funding that is required.
Who pays the employee?
You will need to pay the employee’s salary and any other work-related costs, including paid time off to study, complete assessments and attend university. The University does not dictate the salary but it would need to at least meet the National Apprenticeship Minimum Wage. The employee would also be required to be in full time employment.
News and events
Check out the latest news related to Apprenticeships at Liverpool Hope University. Any upcoming events, including online webinars and open days, will be shared here. In the meantime, please contact us by emailing apprenticeships@hope.ac.uk if you have any queries.
Useful links and resources
Below are some useful links that you may find useful when researching apprenticeships.
- Skills England
- UK Government overview on employing an apprentice
- ESFA Apprenticeship Service recording for employers showing how to set up an apprenticeship service account
- UK Government guidance on Apprenticeship Funding for employers who do not pay the apprenticeship levy
- ESFA Apprenticeship Service recording how to give or receive levy transfers
- ESFA Apprenticeship Service webinar recordings channel
- UK Government Funding rules
- Liverpool Hope University Policies and Strategies
- Strategic Workforce Planning Guide 2025-26 - Education specific