Your Business Needs the Right People. We Train Them. The Government Pays for It.

We fund, recruit and train your next great hire, or upskill the team you already have. At no cost to your business.

A female teacher with a class of children learning

The Skills Gap Is Costing Your Business

You know your business could do more. More revenue, better service, more capacity. But hiring qualified staff is expensive, risky and time-consuming, and finding someone trained in exactly what you need feels almost impossible.
Maybe you need someone who can install and configure smart home systems. Maybe you need a confident audiovisual technician for events and installations. Maybe you know your business needs a stronger social media and digital presence, but there’s nobody in your team to drive it.

So the work doesn’t get done. The opportunity sits there. And meanwhile, your competitors are pulling ahead.

What if there was a way to get a trained, motivated team member without the hiring costs, without the salary risk, and without spending a penny on their training?

There is. And it’s already been paid for.

Start training your employees for free

Fully Funded Apprenticeship Training, Tailored to Your Business

Career Crafters works with small and micro businesses across Essex and Greater London to deliver government-funded apprenticeship training built around your needs, not a one-size-fits-all programme.

We specialise in the sectors where skilled people are hardest to find and most in demand right now:

Audiovisual Technician: installation, live events, corporate AV
Smart Home Technician: connected systems, home automation, new build integration
Digital Media & Multi-Channel Marketing: social media, content creation, digital campaigns
Childcare: early years, support workers, nursery staff
Social Media Management: organic content, community management, brand presence

Whether you want to upskill someone already on your payroll or bring in a new recruit, we manage the entire process from initial consultation right through to qualification.

Start training your employees for free

What’s in It for Your Business?

This isn’t charity. This is one of the most cost-effective growth tools available to small businesses, and most owners in Essex and London don’t know it exists.

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The government funds the training

For businesses with a payroll under £3 million, up to 95-100% of apprenticeship training costs are covered by the government. Your investment is your apprentice’s time. That’s it.

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You could receive up to £2,000 in cash incentives

The government offers direct financial payments to employers who take on eligible apprentices. That’s money back in your pocket just for investing in your team.

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The apprentice minimum wage reduces your payroll risk

In the first year of their apprenticeship, you can pay the apprentice national minimum wage, currently significantly lower than a standard hire. You get a full team member for a fraction of the cost.

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Train the people you already trust

Our preferred approach is upskilling existing staff, people who already know your business, your culture and your customers. No recruitment risk. No settling-in period. Just better skills, applied immediately.

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Win bigger contracts

If your business tenders for public sector work, many contracts now require you to demonstrate an active apprenticeship scheme. Career Crafters makes that simple to achieve and evidence.

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No age limit

This isn’t just for school leavers. Your 35-year-old site supervisor can do a smart home technician apprenticeship. Your marketing manager can upskill through a digital media programme. Apprenticeships work at every stage of a career.

How It Works

Simple from Day One. We Handle Everything.

We know you’re running a business. You don’t have time for complicated processes. That’s why we’ve made this as straightforward as possible.

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Step 1: Tell us what you need

Share an existing vacancy or simply tell us what skills you’re missing. We’ll shape the right apprenticeship brief and advertise it on the National Apprenticeship Service on your behalf.

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Step 2: We shortlist, you choose

We pre-screen every applicant against criteria you set, so only the right people reach you. Interview however you like, online or in person. If nobody fits, we keep looking.

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Step 3: They start, we support, your business grows

We recommend a two-day paid trial to confirm the fit. From there, a dedicated Career Crafters tutor supports your apprentice throughout the programme, with regular progress reviews so you’re always in the picture.

Helpful Answers Questions? Explore answers here

Is apprenticeship training really free for employers in Essex and London?

For most small and medium-sized businesses, yes. If your annual payroll is under £3 million, the government covers up to 95% of apprenticeship training costs through the apprenticeship levy co-investment scheme. Career Crafters works with eligible employers across Essex and Greater London to access this funding, meaning the training costs your business little to nothing. The only requirement is that you employ the apprentice and pay their wage during the programme.

Can I use an apprenticeship to train a member of staff I already employ?

Yes. Upskilling existing employees through an apprenticeship is not only permitted, it is actively encouraged. There is no requirement to recruit a new person. If you have a team member who would benefit from formal training in areas such as digital media, smart home technology or audiovisual systems, Career Crafters can enrol them onto the appropriate programme. This is often the most cost-effective and lowest-risk route for small businesses, as the employee already knows your business and culture.

What apprenticeship programmes does Career Crafters offer to businesses in Essex and London?

Career Crafters delivers government-funded apprenticeship programmes across five key sectors: audiovisual technician, smart home technician, digital media and multi-channel marketing, social media management, and childcare and early years. We work with small and micro businesses across Essex and Greater London, matching employers with the right programme for their specific skills needs and business goals.

Are there any financial incentives for taking on an apprentice?

Yes. In addition to the government covering the majority of training costs, employers may be eligible for cash incentives of up to £2,000 for taking on a new apprentice. Further savings come from the apprentice national minimum wage, which applies in the first year of the programme and is lower than the standard national minimum wage, reducing your payroll costs during the training period. Career Crafters will walk you through every incentive available to your business at no obligation.

Is there an age limit for apprentices, and how long do programmes take?

There is no upper age limit for apprentices. Programmes are open to school leavers, career changers and existing employees at any stage of their working life. Programme length varies depending on the level and sector, typically running between 12 months and 2 years. Career Crafters supports apprentices and employers throughout the full duration, with a dedicated tutor assigned to each learner from day one.

Let's Talk About What's Possible

Whether you're a business looking to train your team or someone ready to take the next step in your career, we're here to help.

No complicated process. No obligation. Just a straightforward conversation about what an apprenticeship could do for you.

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020 3150 0567

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