Student Zone

How much you are paid as an apprentice will depend on your employer. As a minimum, they must pay you the National Minimum Wage for apprentices, however, most employers will pay more than this. It’s important to do your research and to look at the different salaries being offered, along with the whole employment package that they are offering.

Absolutely! Apprentices have a lot of fun. You will meet colleagues in the workplace and develop new friendships. Many apprentices have a great social life where they enjoy shopping, going on holiday, visiting the cinema, having driving lessons and eating out.

You will also be able to access thousands of student discounts through schemes such as the TOTUM card (previously known as the NUS card), UNiDAYS and others.

A degree apprenticeship is when you will work towards a full degree, or a degree level qualification as part of your apprenticeship. As well as working with your employer, you will also be linked with a university or other Higher Education Institution to support you with your studies.

Apprenticeships cover more than 1,700 different job roles, across many different levels – from introductory roles to get your career started, through to senior management. When you read the job description for an apprenticeship vacancy, it will set out some of the key tasks that you will perform as part of that role.

Apprenticeships are offered by thousands of different companies across England. This includes big, well-known companies, as well as many smaller companies too. The full range of apprenticeships that a company offers may not always be obvious, so it’s important to do your research.

Apprenticeship application processes will vary between different employers as they will decide when and where they want to advertise their vacancies. Most employers will require you to submit a CV or application form and attend an interview with them before being offered a position.

Apprenticeships are advertised throughout the year, on different websites and platforms. There are lots of ways you can search for apprenticeships, including:

• Find An Apprenticeship website
• Company websites
• Social media
• Through friends and family
• Local job sites

Apprenticeship levels range from level 2 (intermediate), level 3 (advanced), levels 4 & 5 (higher) and levels 6 & 7 (degree). The level that you start at will depend on a combination of the job role that the employer is offering, and any relevant prior experience or qualifications that you may hold.

There are many apprenticeships that support the environment and have a positive impact on the planet. This could include job roles across many sectors, such as renewable energy, waste reduction and roles that contribute towards reducing our carbon footprint, and improving sustainability.

Apprenticeships can be a fantastic choice for any individual looking to progress their career in the workplace, and gain qualifications and experience at the same time. It’s important to do your research and to look at all of your education and training options.

There is no limit to the number of apprenticeships that you can apply for and it can be a good idea to keep your options open by applying for more than one. That way, if you are unsuccessful in one of your applications, you will have other opportunities to pursue.

There is lots of information available online about apprenticeships. In addition to this, your school Careers Leader will be able to talk to you about local opportunities and training providers. One of the best ways to find out more can be to hear from real apprentices.