whats an apprenticeship?
An apprenticeship is a genuine job and under all circumstances an apprentice will be employed from day one. Apprenticeships combine practical training in a job with study. An apprentice will:
- Work alongside experienced staff
- Gain job-specific skills
- Earn a wage and get holiday pay
- Be given time for study related to their role (the equivalent of one day a week)
why apply?
- Earn a real wage
- Be trained in the skills employers want
- Set yourself up for the future
- Apprentices enjoy marked salary increases when they complete their training, and those completing a higher apprenticeship could see increased earnings of an estimated £150,000 over their lifetime.*
What levels are there?
All apprenticeships include elements of on the job and off the job training, leading to industry recognised standards or qualifications. Some apprenticeships also require an assessment at the end of the programme to assess the apprentice`s ability and competence in their job role.
Name
Intermediate
Advanced
Higher
Degree
Level
2
3
4, 5, 6 and 7
6 and 7
Equivalent educational level
5 GCSE passes at grade A*– C or 9 – 4
2 A level passes/Level 3 Diploma/ International Baccalaureate
Foundation degree and above
Bachelor’s or master’s degree
Entry requirements
Apprenticeships are available to anyone over the age of 16, living in England and have no upper age limit. The National Apprenticeship Service is committed to ensuring that high quality apprenticeships are a prestigious option, accessible to all people from all backgrounds. All vacancies on Find an apprenticeship will clearly state what the entry requirements are for the job role being advertised. There will be different entry requirements depending on the industry, job role and apprenticeship level. Recent changes to the minimum English and maths requirements now mean that people with a learning difficulty or disability can now access a level 2 intermediate apprenticeship as long as they can achieve an entry level 3 qualification during their apprenticeship. A Disability Confident Employer will generally offer an interview to any applicant that declares they have a disability and meets the minimum criteria as defined by the employer. For more details, search Disability Confident on GOV.UK.
what is the role of the training provider?
What is the role of the training provider? The training provider has a key role to play in providing off-the-job training, assessing progress towards achieving their qualifications and supporting you generally during their apprenticeship. They work very closely with the employer to ensure that the apprentice receives: – an induction programme on starting – a detailed training plan (including on-the-job training) – regular progress reviews – opportunities to put into practice off-the-job learning so that they can achieve their qualifications/requirements of the apprenticeship – mentoring and general support throughout the apprenticeship This will all be documented in a commitment statement that is part of the Apprenticeship Agreement. This is an individual learning plan that the provider, the employer and apprentice will all sign up to. You can find out more about learner satisfaction with training organisations and colleges by accessing the learner satisfaction survey results on the FE Choices pages of GOV.UK.
how long does an apprenticeship last?
This depends, apprenticeships must last for at least a year. They can last up to 5 years depending on the level you are studying.
Further Support
Additional financial support is available for care leavers starting apprenticeships. A £1,000 bursary is available to support care leavers who are aged 16-24, this will be paid directly to them in the first year of the apprenticeships. If you need help with you apprenticeship application or professional advice on making the right choices, visit: nationalcareersservice.direct.gov.uk