Apprenticeships

What is 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)

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.

The levels range from Intermediate (Level 2) through to Degree apprenticeships (Level 7) equivalent to a Master’s Degree.

What do apprentices earn?
The national minimum wage (NMW) for apprentices is currently £4.30 per hour from April 2021. The apprentice NMW applies to apprentices aged under 19 or aged 19 or over and in the first year of their apprenticeship. Apprentices aged 25 and over, and not in the first year of their apprenticeship, will be entitled to the National Minimum Wage. For more information, click here

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.

Here is a collection of free resources and guidance to help you to become more familiar with apprenticeships.