Network Engineer Apprenticeship Level 4
Build advanced IT infrastructure expertise in-house with a future-ready network engineer apprentice.
Course Overview:
Level 4 Network Engineer Technician
Training Period: 15 months
EPA: 5 months
Apprenticeship Standard: Network Engineer Technician
Ofsted Rated: Good
The Network Engineer Level 4 Apprenticeship is designed to help employers develop highly skilled staff who can design, install, maintain, and optimise network systems across your organisation. From managing firewalls and routers to ensuring data security and connectivity, apprentices will build the advanced technical capabilities businesses need in today’s digital-first world.
Why Hire a Network Engineer Apprentice?
Ensure your organisation’s networks are secure, reliable, and scalable.
Reduce downtime and support costs with in-house expertise.
Future-proof your business by developing cyber-aware IT specialists.
Government-funded training designed to meet industry standards.
68% of UK employers report difficulties recruiting skilled network specialists, driving up salaries and outsourcing costs.
Apprenticeships give you a pipeline of in-house talent, instead of competing in the market.
Employers Frequently Asked Questions:
Why should I hire a Network Engineer apprentice instead of recruiting?
Skilled network engineers are among the hardest roles to fill, with high salaries and limited availability. Apprenticeships allow you to grow your own talent in-house, tailored to your systems and business needs.
What will it cost me as an employer?
With government funding, hiring an apprentice is one of the most cost-effective recruitment and training solutions:
Levy payers – fully funded through your levy account.
Non-levy SMEs – just 5% contribution (around £650).
SMEs with under 50 staff hiring 16–21-year-olds – 100% fully funded.
You may also receive a £1,000 employer incentive and 0% National Insurance contributions for under-25s.
Do I have to find the apprentice myself?
No, you have two options, you can upskill a member of your current team or you can hire a new apprentices, if hiring new is the case then we manage the entire recruitment process for you. That includes writing the job ad, advertising, shortlisting, and pre-screening candidates. We’ll then present you with high-quality applicants who are the right fit for your business, saving you time and recruitment costs.
Can I register interest now, even without a vacancy?
Yes, you can pre-register and we’ll keep you updated on launch dates, funding opportunities, and recruitment support.
How much Training/Management will I need to do with them?
Not as much as you might think. We handle the structured training, coaching, and assessment — so you don’t need to “teach” them the technical skills yourself.
What you provide is:
A workplace mentor/line manager who checks in with them, sets practical tasks, and gives feedback (this is usually just part of your normal team management).
Opportunities to apply what they’re learning in real situations (e.g. supporting staff with digital tools, automating workflows, troubleshooting systems).
We take care of the rest:
Our industry-expert trainers deliver remote sessions and track progress.
Every 12 weeks, we meet with you and the apprentice to review development and make sure training aligns with your business goals.
All coursework and admin is managed via MS Teams, so you’re not buried in paperwork.
In short: your role is to provide the environment and tasks, while we take care of the specialist training and assessment. Most employers find apprentices quickly become self-sufficient contributors, reducing rather than adding to your workload.
What our Employers say about us...
Partnerships & Accreditations
