With school and college leavers preparing to enter the job market, Norfolk employers have a valuable opportunity to attract, develop and retain future talent through apprenticeships.
Recent government announcements have introduced significant changes designed to increase apprenticeship opportunities for young people, including new employer incentives, additional investment in youth employment and the launch of a new Level 2 Administrative Assistant apprenticeship.
For businesses considering recruitment this year, now could be the ideal time to hire an apprentice.
New Incentives for Employers
As part of wider reforms to the Growth and Skills Levy and the expansion of the Youth Guarantee, the Government has announced a new incentive payment of up to £2,000 for non-levy paying employers who recruit 16–24-year-old apprentices as new employees.
While incentive payments will begin from October 2026, employers do not need to wait until then to recruit. Apprentices hired from July 2026 onwards may still qualify, provided they meet the eligibility criteria.
This means businesses can begin recruiting now and still benefit from the new support once it becomes available.
Additional Financial Support Available
The new £2,000 apprenticeship incentive is just one of several forms of support available to employers recruiting young people.
Depending on eligibility, employers may also benefit from:
- £1,000 Young Apprentice Incentive payment
- The new £3,000 Youth Jobs Grant for eligible young people receiving Universal Credit
- National Insurance savings for qualifying apprentices under 25
- 95-100% Government funding towards apprenticeship training costs
Combined, these measures can significantly reduce the cost of recruiting and developing new talent.
A New Administration Assistant Apprenticeship
One of the most exciting developments for employers is the introduction of a new Level 2 Administration Assistant apprenticeship which will be starting in August 2026.
Designed specifically for 16–24-year-olds, the programme provides a practical route into office-based careers while helping employers develop the next generation of administrative professionals.
With many school and college leavers looking for alternatives to full-time education, this creates an excellent opportunity for businesses seeking additional office support.
Administrative assistants play a vital role in almost every organisation, supporting communication, customer service, record keeping, scheduling and day-to-day operations. Recruiting an apprentice can help employers build these skills from the outset while developing talent tailored to the needs of the business.
Why Now Is a Good Time to Recruit
The summer period has traditionally been one of the best times to recruit apprentices, with thousands of young people actively exploring their next steps after school or college.
For employers, apprenticeships provide a practical way to:
- Build a pipeline of future talent
- Address skills shortages
- Support succession planning
- Develop skills tailored to business needs
- Improve staff retention and progression
Combined with the new incentives, funding support and apprenticeship reforms, there has rarely been a better time to invest in young talent.
Support Available for Norfolk Employers
At Poultec, we support employers across Norfolk and beyond to recruit, train and develop apprentices across a wide range of sectors and occupational areas.
Our team can help employers:
- Understand apprenticeship funding and incentives
- Advertise apprenticeship vacancies
- Recruit suitable candidates
- Navigate the apprenticeship process
- Develop both new and existing employees with funded apprenticeships
We also offer a free apprentice recruitment service, helping employers advertise vacancies, attract candidates and navigate the recruitment process with confidence.
Whether you’re looking to recruit an apprentice, strengthen your office team, develop existing employees or explore apprenticeship opportunities within your organisation, our team can help you identify the most suitable programmes and funding options available.
To find out more about apprenticeships, recruitment support and employer funding, contact Poultec Training on 01362 850983 or visit www.poultec.co.uk.