Early Connect resources for employers

A pilot being delivered in partnership between the Department for Education (DfE) and UCAS. Our aim is to support more young people onto apprenticeships and make it easier for employers to find apprentices.

What is Early Connect?

Early Connect is a unique pilot being delivered in partnership between the Department for Education and UCAS, aiming to support more young people onto apprenticeships, and to make it easier for employers to find apprentices. 

The service is currently available until October 2025 and will provide employers with early access to talent in Year 13 (those leaving school or college in summer 2024 or 2025).

To achieve this, we need employers to advertise their vacancies early in the year and to post on the Recruit an Apprentice website.

We encourage large employers to plan their recruitment early and advertise their apprenticeship vacancies between November and February. Apprenticeship vacancies for Early Connect will need to have start dates from summer 2024 or 2025.

It is recognised that SMEs are likely to have a shorter recruitment window and may not be in a position to advertise apprenticeship vacancies until later in the year. We will support you when it is right for your business to recruit.

All vacancies at all levels that are added to Recruit an Apprentice, will automatically be advertised on the UCAS website, allowing young people to view apprenticeships alongside undergraduate opportunities.

What are the benefits for employers?

The new service will provide employers with a pipeline of talent to meet business needs. This will enable employers to develop a motivated, skilled and qualified workforce, with a range of benefits:

  • Early access to talent – ability to promote apprenticeship vacancies to young people when they are making decisions about their future.
  • Enhanced recruitment services through advertising on DfE Recruit an Apprentice and UCAS.
  • Showcasing your apprenticeship opportunities so that young people can make more informed decisions about their future.
  • Advertising vacancies earlier in the year will provide more recruitment time, allowing you to widen your talent pool to find ideal candidates.
  • Posting vacancies earlier on in the academic year allows more time for applicants to submit higher quality applications for your vacancies.
  • Working with pilot area stakeholders to find suitable candidates - providing you with more confidence in finding the best young talent to grow / mould to meet your business needs.
  • Further supporting your local community and increasing regional widening participation.

When is it available?

This free service for employers is currently available until October 2025. 

Useful resources

The Early Connect Employer Service

Wherever you are on your apprenticeship journey, whether you're considering the idea or already have apprentices on board - free help and support is available now as part of this pilot.

Find out more

Business support for recruiting apprentices

In this apprenticeship roadmap for employers you will find the most up-to-date financial and local provision available to help you recruit an apprentice successfully.

Download the roadmap

Attracting the right apprentice – a guide to uploading your vacancies

Find out how to make your apprenticeship vacancy stand out and attract top talent.

Access here

How to register and use the apprenticeship service as an employer

Guidance on how to use the apprenticeship service to access funds to pay for apprenticeship training.

Find out more

Case Study: Apprenticeships make good business sense – Newcastle Building Society

Discover how apprenticeships operate at the region’s leading Building Society. 

Read more

North East Apprenticeship Ambassador Network (NEEAN)

NEAAN connects North East businesses with opportunities, offering networking and mentoring to help business engagement in recruiting and supporting apprenticeships.

Learn more