We are proud to report that our apprentices consistently thrive and seamlessly integrate into their company teams, becoming valuable contributors to their organisations.
Programme Structure
Over the 18-month apprenticeship, your learner will participate in monthly online training sessions, connecting with apprentices nationwide who work across various photography genres. These sessions will be delivered by experienced lecturers, and a detailed schedule will be provided in advance.
Our lecturers are seasoned professionals, with their work featured in renowned international publications such as Vogue, Grazia, House & Garden, and Interior Exterior. You can feel confident knowing your photography apprentice is learning from leading industry experts.
Unlike traditional photography degrees, our apprenticeship focuses on equipping learners with practical skills and professional behaviours, ensuring they are prepared for real-world demands.
Additional Considerations
Off-the-Job Training
Apprentices must dedicate 6 hours per week to off-the-job training. This time allows them to complete assignments, conduct research, and prepare for upcoming lessons, contributing directly to their progression within the programme.
Equipment Requirements
To support their learning, apprentices will need access to the following:
- A camera
- Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom
- A camera flash
- Opportunities to take photographs regularly
- Studio lighting (recommended for enhanced training, though not mandatory)
By meeting these requirements and supporting their development, your photography apprentice will gain the skills, knowledge, and experience needed to excel in their role and contribute meaningfully to your organisation.
Cost of an Apprentice
The cost of employing an apprentice depends on the specific apprenticeship and the size of your organisation, which determines the funding available.
If Your Business Pays the Apprenticeship Levy
Organisations with an annual payroll exceeding £3 million are required to contribute to the apprenticeship levy, which is charged at 0.5% of your annual pay bill. The government adds an extra 10% to your levy account.
You can transfer or ‘gift’ up to 25% of your levy funds to smaller, non-levy-paying organisations to support their apprenticeship programmes. This can be managed through your Apprenticeship Service account.
If Your Business Does Not Pay the Apprenticeship Levy
For businesses that do not pay the levy, the government fully funds training for apprentices aged 16–21 at the start of their apprenticeship. For apprentices aged 22 and over, you will need to contribute 5% of the training costs, while the government covers the remaining 95%. Payments will be made directly to JGA according to an agreed schedule.
All Organisations
All employers must set up an Apprenticeship Service account to manage apprenticeship funds online. Non-levy-paying organisations will also use this account to reserve funds. For guidance, see our resources on connecting your account to use JGA as a provider, along with video tutorials from the Department for Education (DfE).
Regardless of whether you pay the levy, you will be responsible for all associated apprentice costs, including ensuring they have the same employment terms as other staff, aside from their wage.
Apprentices must be paid at least the National Minimum Wage. This rate depends on their age and the year of their apprenticeship. However, we recommend paying above the minimum wage, as apprentices paid the bare minimum tend to leave sooner, indicating the role is undervalued.
Apprentices must be paid for:
- Their normal working hours
- Time spent in training as part of their apprenticeship
- Time studying for English and Maths, if required
Further details are available at Gov.uk.
Current Training Costs
The full list of apprenticeship standards and their training costs is available on the Institute for Apprenticeships website. This serves as a guide to the overall cost of an apprenticeship.
If you have any uncertainties, please contact us. We’ll clarify the costs to your business, which may vary based on the apprentice’s prior experience. Further information is outlined in our section on Skill Scans and Prior Learning.
Incentives
Employers can receive a £1,000 cash incentive if the apprentice is:
- Aged 16–18
- Aged 25 or under and has an Education, Health & Care Plan
- Previously in care
Additionally, employers of apprentices under 25 are exempt from paying secondary Class 1 National Insurance contributions. This provides a saving of up to 13.8% on earnings over £8,840 per year.
Occasionally, the government announces additional incentives for businesses recruiting apprentices. We’ll keep you informed about these opportunities as they arise.
Off-the-Job Training
Apprentices are required to dedicate approximately 20% of their working hours to learning activities outside their regular job responsibilities. This is known as off-the-job training.
The government mandates a minimum of 6 hours per week, though many courses require slightly more—typically around one day per week. These required hours are referred to as the planned hours.
For apprentices who began their programme before August 2022, the minimum requirement remains 20% of their working hours dedicated to off-the-job training.
While off-the-job training includes resources and activities provided by JGA, it can also involve learning opportunities naturally available within the workplace.
Examples of Off-the-Job Training
- Attending classroom-based or online seminars related to their apprenticeship
- Conducting independent research, such as watching videos, listening to podcasts, or reading about their subject
- Participating in webinars hosted by external organisations
- Engaging in work shadowing, mentoring, or site visits
Requirements for Off-the-Job Training
To qualify, activities must:
- Be directly relevant to the apprenticeship standard
- Focus on teaching new knowledge, skills, or behaviours
- Take place during the apprentice’s normal working hours
Off-the-job training can occur at the apprentice’s regular workplace, at home, or in other suitable locations. However, studying for an English or Maths qualification at Level 2 does not count as off-the-job training.
Recording Off-the-Job Training
We provide apprentices with guidance on logging their off-the-job training and aligning these activities with their apprenticeship standard to ensure they meet qualification requirements.
This is tracked using an online portfolio system called OneFile, which monitors the apprentice’s progress and ensures they are on track to meet the planned off-the-job hours needed to complete their programme.
We won the Design and Creative Apprenticeship Provider award at the AAC Apprenticeship awards.
Award winning Photography course …….