Employed and want to complete an apprenticeship but don't know where to start?

2 mins read

By Francesca French - 26th Jun 2025

A step by step guide on how to start discussions with your existing employer.

If you're ready to upskill your workforce capabilities but unsure how to get your boss on board, you're not alone. This blog walks you through the exact steps to take—from finding the right apprenticeship program or reskilling initiative to framing your request so your employer sees the business benefits and return on investment (ROI) too.

Many professionals know where they want to go, but need talent development support to get there.

personal development
online courses
current role enhancement
continuous learning
skill enhancement

Whether you're aiming to transition into DevOps, sharpen your software testing expertise, or step up as a project leadership specialist, the right training and development can unlock big opportunities. But unless you're footing the bill yourself, you’ll likely need your employer’s backing for employee training. The good news? Making a well-structured case for upskilling, especially when it's through a government-funded apprenticeship or other funded training programs, can be surprisingly well received, demonstrating a clear return on investment for the organisation.

Why asking for workplace training is a strength, not a weakness

Contrary to popular belief, asking for training doesn’t make you seem unprepared—it shows initiative, ambition, and a commitment to continuous professional development. Employers and HR teams increasingly value proactive employees who are proactive about developing new skills and bridging skill gaps. Apprenticeships, especially those from trusted training providers like The Coders Guild, are a win-win. You grow your capabilities; your employer gets a more skilled, agile, and motivated team member, often at zero cost, contributing to talent retention and increased productivity.

Common career goals we help with:

A developer expanding into DevOps to support infrastructure optimisation and deployment automation
A project manager boosting their quality assurance (QA) knowledge to better manage software delivery teams
A software tester specialising in digital accessibility, improving product inclusion and quality for enhanced user experience. Whatever your goals, there’s likely a learning pathway that fits your ambitions—and your organisation’s strategic objectives.

How to pitch your apprenticeship request or training proposal

Here’s a proven framework to help you confidently present your case:

Assess Your Current Situation: Where are you in your role? What challenges or growth areas have you identified that could benefit from skill acquisition?
Identify the Right Training: Choose an apprenticeship or professional development course that aligns with your career goals and your company’s priorities (e.g., improving team output, fostering innovation, or enhancing organisational resilience).
Frame the Benefits to the Business:
- Demonstrate how the training will drive increased productivity, operational efficiency, and innovation within your team or department.
- Highlight how it will reduce staff turnover and recruitment costs by investing in your employee development.
- Explain how the new skills and recognised qualifications will better align your capabilities with the organisation's strategic objectives and future workforce needs.
- Emphasise the positive ROI your training will bring.
Outline Expected Outcomes: What new skills will you bring back to the team? How will you apply them to real-world business challenges? Will you gain a recognised qualification or industry certification?

Tools to help you make your case

You’re not alone in this. The Coders Guild team is happy to support these conversations—whether by helping you identify the most relevant course, providing further information on funding opportunities, or even joining a discussion with your employer if needed, to highlight the mutual benefits of investing in employees.