With successive changes to apprenticeship policy, shifting emphasis on the amount of involvement of employers in engaging and delivering apprenticeship, and an over-reliance on further education to fill the gaps in the midst of its own storm, this article explores the successful ingredients for employer engagement in apprenticeship and vocational formation. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with employers and apprentices from five business in the automotive industry and their further education training providers. The findings suggested that a close collaboration and communication between the college, employer and the young person, based on high levels of trust underpinned three successful mechanisms for ensuring quality apprenticeships: supporting, safeguarding and achieving.