Should You Take On an Apprentice in 2026?
Taking on an apprentice can lead to a loyal, long-term engineer who contributes massively to the success of your business. But they also take time, money, and commitment to train.
So how do you decide if and when to take on an apprentice?
In this guide, we look at new industry data revealing exactly how many heating & plumbing businesses have apprentices, what the pros and cons are, and how you can make it work for you.
First: How Many Heating Businesses Have Apprentices?
According to our 2025 Heating & Plumbing Report:
- Only 17.6% of heating businesses currently have an apprentice.
- Just 15.1% would consider taking one on next year
Despite many businesses reporting stable or above-average performance in 2025, most are not expanding their teams. The overall trend for 2026 is clearly efficiency over expansion, but hiring a new engineer is very different to taking on an apprentice.
What Are the Pros and Cons of Having an Apprentice?
Taking on an apprentice isn’t just a financial decision, but one that depends on how you want to run your business.
The Pros
1. Long-term business growth
An apprentice doesn’t add much productivity at first. But over 2–4 years, they can become a fully qualified engineer who:
- Takes on their own jobs
- Handles servicing independently
- Supports installations
- Expands your revenue ceiling
Training an engineer internally allows you to find someone who knows the ins and outs of your business and the way you work far better than any newly-hired engineer will be able to.
2. A cost-effective extra set of hands
Pay scales with experience and expertise. Apprentices are looking to learn, and therefore won’t cost as much as a fully-qualified engineer.
Depending on how you work, this can be a huge benefit. You get to train and help someone enter the industry while getting help on jobs.
Someone trained from day one in your business often:
- Works to your standards
- Understands your systems
- Feels invested in your success
Hiring experienced engineers can be difficult and expensive. Growing your own can reduce long-term recruitment risk.
4. A route to stepping back
If you want more holidays, fewer physical jobs, and an exit strategy, you need someone underneath you.
An apprentice can be the first structural step in this process.
The Cons
1. Time pressure is already high
27.3% of heating business owners said time management and workload were their biggest challenge in 2025. If you’re already stretched, you need to decide if the time spent training an apprentice outweighs the time saved getting their help.
For the first year, you are investing time, not saving it.
2. Apprentice costs
Having an apprentice adds wages, pension contributions, insurance costs, equipment, and more to your expenses.
Until they’re ready to go out on some basic jobs alone, this will be an initial investment for long-term gain.
What Having an Apprentice Looks Like, Day-to-Day
If you’re considering taking on an apprentice, it’s a good idea to have a rough plan for the coming years. Our recent podcast episode with engineer and business owner Hollie Stallworthy covers in detail what it’s like to work with an apprentice. Give it a listen:
GAS ENGINEER PODCAST
The Honest Reality of Taking on an Apprentice
Year 1: Observation and Assistance
In the first 6–12 months, most apprentices:
- Carry tools and materials
- Observe servicing and installations
- Complete basic tasks under supervision
- Learn safety protocols
- Attend college one day per week
You will need to:
- Explain processes step by step
- Correct mistakes patiently
- Sign off coursework
- Reinforce safe working habits
Expect reduced job speed during this stage.
Years 2–3: Assisted Work
As confidence grows, they can:
- Perform parts of a service
- Carry out flue analysis
- Assist with installs
- Handle simpler breakdown diagnostics
You still supervise — but productivity improves.
Years 3–4: Semi-Independent Work
By later stages, a strong apprentice may:
- Complete services independently
- Manage smaller jobs
- Represent your business alone
This is when your investment begins paying off.
How Much Do Apprentices Cost?
As of the 1st of April 2026, the UK has increased minimum wage rates.
| Band | 2026 Hourly Pay |
| 21 or over | £12.71 |
| 18-20 | £10.85 |
| Under 18 | £8 |
| Apprentice | £8 |
- Apprentices under 19
- Apprentices in the first year of their programme
After year one, or if over 19, they must be paid the relevant National Minimum Wage rate.
Many heating businesses choose to pay above the minimum to:
- Attract stronger candidates
- Increase retention
- Reflect physical demands of site work
Beyond wages, budget for:
- Pension contributions
- Workwear
- Tools
- Insurance adjustments
- College time (paid working hours)
When calculating affordability, include all of the above — not just hourly wage.
Where to Find an Apprentice
- Local colleges offering plumbing & heating qualifications
- Government apprenticeship services
- Word of mouth referrals
- Work experience placements
- Facebook groups
- Family connections
What to Look For
Technical skill comes later. At the start, focus on:
- Reliability (turns up on time)
- Work ethic
- Willingness to learn
- Communication skills
- Respect for safety
Organise Your Apprentice with Gas Engineer Software
Taking on an apprentice means adding another person to your schedule.
With Gas Engineer Software, you can easily manage schedules for different employees (incuding your apprentice), keep all job details, records, and customer information in one place, and effortlessly stay on top of your admin.
An apprentice can be one of the best long-term investments you make — but your business systems need to be ready to support them.