Free tool · UK
Apprenticeship Funding Checker: what it really costs to hire an apprentice in 2026
Hiring a young apprentice can mean £0 training, £0 employer National Insurance, and up to £5,000 in stackable government cash. Enter a hiring scenario to see what you could claim, then get a free, ready-to-post job advert. For independent restaurant AND bar owners.
No guarantee of funding success — booteek makes the claim easier; the decision rests with the training provider, DfE or DWP.
- No guarantee of funding — booteek maximises the ease and completeness of your claim; the decision rests with the training provider, DfE or DWP.
- Cash is not paid up front: the first instalment is typically triggered around day 90, then routes department → training provider → you — realistically 110–130 days from the apprenticeship start before the first money lands.
- £0 employer National Insurance applies when the apprentice is under 25, on an approved apprenticeship standard, and earns under £50,270 a year.
What a great Commis Chef actually needs
Kitchen · backroom
How a young person proves it — without a CV
The booteek lens — life experience, not qualifications.
- cooking interestCooked for your family or younger siblings when your parents were out? That's real kitchen interest — no chef's whites needed.
- cleaning / hygieneAre you the one who keeps the kitchen tidy at home? Do you actually like washing up?
- problem-solvingWhen something burns or runs out mid-cook, do you sort it? That's initiative under pressure.
- teamworkDo you muck in when everyone's slammed — without being asked?
This checker
Your funding + a tailored advert. You’re using it now.
Help you apply →
The guided application + the role’s “what to look for” toolkit.
Concierge
We run the whole application for you. Coming soon.
Apprenticeship funding for employers — your questions
How much does it cost to hire an apprentice in 2026?
For a 16–21-year-old apprentice in a small hospitality business, training is 100% government-funded and you pay no employer National Insurance (under 25, earning under £50,270). You may also claim £1,000–£5,000 in stackable cash incentives, depending on age and circumstances.
Do employers get paid for taking on an apprentice?
Yes. Depending on the apprentice’s age and circumstances, an employer can claim stackable incentives: a £1,000 Young Apprentice Payment (16–18), a £2,000 Foundation incentive, a £3,000 Universal Credit Youth Jobs Grant (18–24), and, from October 2026, a £2,000 SME Hiring Incentive.
Is apprenticeship training free for small employers?
For apprentices aged 16–21 (or 22–24 with an EHC plan or care background), the government funds 100% of the apprenticeship training in a small, non-levy business. A 22–24-year-old otherwise pays a 5% co-investment.
Do employers pay National Insurance for apprentices under 25?
No. Employers pay no Class 1 National Insurance for an apprentice who is under 25, on an approved apprenticeship standard, and earning under £50,270 a year. The apprentice still pays their own National Insurance.
What is the £2,000 SME hiring incentive and who can claim it?
From 1 October 2026, a small non-levy employer hiring a new apprentice aged 16–24 can claim a £2,000 SME Hiring Incentive, paid via the training provider. It is not available before that date.
Can you stack apprenticeship incentives — could I get £5,000?
Yes, from October 2026. A small employer hiring a 20–24-year-old who has been on Universal Credit 6+ months could stack the £2,000 SME Hiring Incentive and the £3,000 Youth Jobs Grant — £5,000 in total, with £0 training cost.
What is the £3,000 Universal Credit Youth Jobs Grant for employers?
It is a £3,000 grant paid directly to an employer who hires an 18–24-year-old who has been on Universal Credit for 6+ months. It is a DWP scheme, expected from June 2026; the detailed claim process is still being published.
What is a foundation apprenticeship and how much is the incentive?
A foundation apprenticeship is a shorter, entry-level apprenticeship. A small employer can claim a £2,000 Foundation Apprenticeship Incentive for a foundation apprentice aged 16–21. Hospitality foundation apprenticeships are expanding from April 2026.
Can a restaurant or bar take on a hospitality apprentice with funding?
Yes. Independent restaurant AND bar owners can take on hospitality apprentices — such as a Commis Chef (Level 2) or Hospitality Team Member — with fully-funded training for 16–21-year-olds and the same stackable cash incentives.
How do I write an apprenticeship job advert that attracts young people?
Lead with potential, not a CV: describe the everyday signals that show someone would be great — reliability, warmth, keeping things clean — and say no experience is needed. booteek’s free checker writes one for you.