Just How Much Does It Cost to Train an Apprentice? 😮
The cost for a UK signalling design company to recruit & train an apprentice until qualification can vary significantly based on factors like location, the type of apprenticeship, training level, & the firm’s investment in equipment and support. Generally, these costs fall under a few categories:
1. Recruitment Costs
Job Advertising: This includes posting the role on job boards, which can range from free listings to premium ones costing around £100–£500 per post.
Recruitment Agency Fees (if used): Agencies often charge a percentage of the apprentice’s first-year salary, usually 10%–20%.
Recruitment Process Costs: This includes staff time for interviews, assessments, & onboarding. For a small recruitment team, the internal cost might be around £1,000–£2,000.
Estimated Cost: £500–£3,000 (depending on the approach).
2. Apprentice Wages 🚉
First-Year Pay: UK apprentice minimum wage as of 2024 is around £5.28 per hour for apprentices under 19 or those in their first year. For a 37.5-hour work week, this totals around £10,296 pa.
Annual Increases: Many employers increase wages each year. By the third or fourth year, the apprentice might earn around £15,000–£20,000 per year.
Total Wage Over 3–4 Years: £30,000–£45,000.
3. Training Costs
Training Provider Fees: The UK government provides funding for apprenticeships. If the company pays the Apprenticeship Levy, this can go toward the training, though non-levy payers may receive 95% of training costs from the government. Depending on the level, private costs could still range from £1,000–£3,000.
In-House Training: Time spent by senior staff on mentoring, training sessions & assessment. This cost can be substantial, perhaps around £2,000–£5,000 annually.
Total Training Cost Over 3–4 Years: £6,000–£15,000.
4. Additional Costs
Software licenses, computers, safety equipment, and any necessary materials. This may cost around £1,000–£3,000.
Additional certifications, such as IRSE licenses, are often needed for signalling design, which might cost around £500–£1,000.
Total Estimated Cost Over 3–4 Years
Bringing all these factors together, the total cost could be around:
Lower estimate: £35,000–£45,000 💷
Upper estimate: £60,000+ 💷 💷
The figures above reflect direct costs & don’t account for potential tax incentives for hiring apprentices. The UK government often offers funding support and other incentives for hiring apprentices, which can reduce the overall financial burden
Regardless of costs we believe that the ongoing recruitment of signalling design apprentices is crucial for the future of UK rail. With an aging workforce & increasing demand for rail infrastructure, apprentices ensure that essential skills are passed down & updated with the latest technology.
