What’s 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)
- 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.
What can they earn?
There are different rates of minimum pay for apprentices depending on your age and what year of your apprenticeship you’re in. You can find out more information about the apprentice national minimum wage here: gov.uk/become-apprentice/pay-and-conditions
More details on salaries and entry criteria in specific apprenticeship occupations can be found on GOV.UK and search ‘apprenticeships’.
Where to look for an apprenticeship?
With many opportunities on offer, there are several ways to find an apprenticeship.
More information, including videos of current apprentices, is available at apprenticeships.gov.uk. You can search and apply for vacancies on Find an apprenticeship on GOV.UK. Once registered on Find an apprenticeship, email and text alerts can be set up about new apprenticeship vacancies which may be of interest.
What are the entry requirements?
Apprenticeships are available to anyone over the age of 16, living in England and have no upper age limit. The Education and Skills Funding Agency (part of the Department for Education) 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.
How to apply?
You can find and apply for apprenticeship vacancies across England in a variety of careers and industries online at Find an apprenticeship, available at gov.uk/apply-apprenticeship. You can search by keyword (job role, occupation type or apprenticeship level) and by location. In addition, some employers advertise vacancies on their website. Once the right job comes up, simply register on the website and follow the step by step instructions to apply for the role.
Amazing Apprenticeships - Using ‘Find an Apprenticeship’ to apply from Amazing Apprenticeships on Vimeo.
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 many hours per week will an apprentice be working?
The minimum duration of each apprenticeship is based on the apprentice working 30 hours a week or more, including any off-the-job training you undertake.
However, this does not apply in every circumstance. For example, people with caring responsibilities or people with a disability may work reduced weekly hours. Where this is the case, the duration of the apprenticeship will be extended to take account of this.
The time spent on off-the-job training should be at least 20% and should be included as part of working hours. The employer must allow time to complete the apprenticeship within their normal working hours, in addition to any English and maths.
Still not sure?
Why not take the Apprenticeship Quiz at https://amazingapprenticeships.com/apprenticeships-quiz/ - it's a great way to make you think about apprenticeships whilst busting some myths, as it has explanations of each of the correct answers in a short but informative snippet after each question is answered.