Increasing apprenticeships in floorlaying is essential to providing a constant and correctly trained source of skills and labour into the sector. Apprenticeships are a key focus in helping to battle skills shortages from an ageing workforce and employing an apprentice can be linked directly to improving the productivity of a business.

With this in mind, the CFA is constantly working with sector representatives to maintain, develop and agree apprenticeship standards and frameworks which meet the
requirements of sector and offer an attractive career path to both young people and people looking to change careers, while at the same time making sure that government funding mechanisms are improved to engage more employers in creating apprenticeship vacancies.

Not only do apprentices address skills shortages, but you will be getting a keen, motivated member of staff that wants to learn and help your business to grow. According to Government statistics companies who employ apprentices, win more business.

The benefits clearly speak for themselves…

• 92% of companies that have taken on apprentices believe this leads to a more motivated and satisfied workforce*
• Hiring an apprentice is a productive and effective way for any organisation to grow talent and develop a motivated, skilled and qualified workforce
• 86% said apprenticeships helped them develop skills relevant to their organisation*
• 80% have seen a significant increase in employee retention*
• Apprenticeships are a tried and tested way to recruit new staff, re-train or upskill existing staff
• Up to 100% funding (depending on location and if subject to the Apprenticeship Levy) could be available to support apprenticeship programmes in your business
• Additional grants and incentives may also be available to businesses actively recruiting apprentices
• Apprenticeships are a great way of attracting enthusiastic talent with fresh ideas and incorporating them alongside existing staff
• Apprenticeships ensure that the workforce has the practical skills needed for the business in the future
• You can employ an apprentice who’s aged 16 up to any age and from any background.
• There is no age cap on apprenticeships and funding
• If you employ an apprentice below the age of 25, you are not required to pay employer National Insurance contributions for them.
  *Stats taken from apprenticeships.gov.uk
  
  What is an apprenticeship?
  An apprenticeship is a formal system of training people in a set profession with a mixture of ‘on’ and ‘off’ the job training and often accompanying study, it is a real job where the apprentice can learn, gain experience and get paid. Any apprentice must be an employee with a contract of employment and holiday leave.
  
  Apprentices are developed to help plug the skills gaps in the sector and offer an education route that is vocational. An apprenticeship combines hands-on work with the opportunity to train and obtain qualifications, it is a paid position with at least 20% of the apprentice’s time set aside for learning, usually at a college or with a training provider.
  
  The rest of the apprentice’s time is spent applying knowledge, skills, and behaviours in the workplace. At the end of it, the apprentice will gain official certification, which will be equivalent to or include traditional qualifications such as NVQs. Apprenticeships are supported by work on English and Maths related subjects called Functional Skills in England, Core Skills in Scotland, and Essential Skills in Wales and Northern Ireland.
  
  It can take between two and four years to complete a floorlaying apprenticeship depending on where in the UK the apprentice is based, what level the apprenticeship is and any previous experience the apprentice has. Apprenticeships are funded from contributions made by both the Government and an employer.

Taken from the CFA Guide to Training 2025