Background information - where do you start?
Follow the links below to learn more
- What is an Apprenticeship?
- Types of Apprenticeship available
- Levels: Apprenticeships, Advanced Apprenticeships and NVQs
- Apprenticeship programme structure
- How long does it take?
- Who's eligible?
- Pay and holidays
- Qualifications
- How do I apply?
- Speak to an adviser
- What next?
What is an Apprenticeship?
For many, the later years at school can be frustrating when all you want to do is get out into the world, start working and earn a living. Likewise, if you’re already working, you may be looking to try something new altogether or to improve your skills and knowledge to help you progress up the career ladder. You may also want to improve your prospects of finding a job in your chosen industry.
So, whether you’re looking for your first role or are already in employment, Apprenticeships give you the chance to do just that. They enable you to enter or stay in the world of work, earn a decent wage and learn new skills.
Apprenticeships offer a mixture of on and off the job training that provides you with the skills you need for your chosen career that will also lead to nationally-recognised qualifications. As an apprentice you’ll learn on the job and do real jobs for real employers, so you’ll be paid while you learn.
Types of Apprenticeship
There are more than 200 Apprenticeships available in approximately 80 sectors of industry and commerce, ranging from accountancy to football, engineering to veterinary nursing, business administration to construction. You’ll find details of almost all of them on this website in the 'Apprenticeship Listings' section.
The possibilities are endless so whatever your chosen career you should be able to find an Apprenticeship that suits you. The frameworks on this site are divided into a number of sections:
Administration
Armed forces
Construction
Creative
Customer service
Education
Electrical & Engineering
Energy
Health & beauty
Hospitality & Travel
Information Technology
Land-based industries
Logistics
Marine
Money
Processing & Manufacturing
Property
Public services
Sport & fitness
Vehicles
Levels
There are two levels of Apprenticeship available:
- Apprenticeships
(equivalent to five good GCSE passes)
Apprentices work towards NVQ Level 2, Key Skills and a relevant technical certificate. This will not only provide you with the skills you need to develop in your field but it also allows you to progress to an Advanced Apprenticeship. - Advanced Apprenticeships
(equivalent to two A level passes)
Advanced apprentices work towards NVQ Level 3 and Level 4 in some occupational areas. To start this programme, you should ideally have five GCSEs (grade C or above) or have completed an Apprenticeship.
Apprenticeship Programme Structure
Apprenticeships are designed with the help of the employers in the industry so they offer a structured programme that takes you through the skills you need to do a job well. Targets are set to ensure you’re progressing and to make sure that your employer is providing you with the right support.
You also spend time off the job with a training provider – often a local college – studying for a National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) and other nationally recognised qualifications. So all the things you study will be useful in your job and help you succeed in your future career.
How long does it take?
There's no set time to complete an Apprenticeship as they vary widely in content and size. The length of time taken will depend on the sector you choose, the ability of the individual apprentice and the employer's requirements. Apprenticeships typically take between one and four years to complete, depending on the type of framework, so it's important that you're committed enough to see it through.
Who's eligible?
There are no set entry requirements for Apprenticeships. Apprenticeships are open to anyone living in England who is currently not in full-time education and does not hold a university degree. Entry requirements are flexible because Apprenticeships are not just based on academic achievement. Employers value your keenness to work and desire to learn so your practical skills and your interest in your chosen area of work are very important.
In order to apply you need to be:
- Serious
- Committed
- Able to show that you’ve fully researched the area of work you want to do, and you’re the right person for the job
- Aware of your responsibilities to both yourself and the company who would employ you
- Prepared for further study
- Realistic about the amount of work you may have to do
- Happy to work both as part of a team and an individual
- Able to use your own initiative.
Apprenticeships can be demanding, but very rewarding. It’s not just a question of seeing what’s out there and then selecting a career path. It helps if you’re focused enough to know what you want to do before you apply.
Pay and Holidays
If you’re entering the world of work for the first time, you’ll start earning from day one of your Apprenticeship.
There is no set salary for apprentices, but a recent survey showed that the average wage per week for an apprentice is now around £140 and, in some job roles, nearer £200 per week*. This is dependent on your employer and the type of work you do. As your skills develop and you begin to progress, your pay will increase accordingly.
Research shows that apprentices earn, on average, over £100,000 more throughout their lifetime than other employees.*
Like most other employees, you will be given paid holiday as well as bank holidays.
Your individual entitlement will be detailed in your terms of employment or training agreement: 20 days is an average holiday entitlement.
Just like any other job, your employer will have rules about how far in advance holidays need to be booked, and times that holiday cannot be taken.
You may also be able to take some time off for study leave, in addition to your usual paid leave.
* Figures taken from a survey carried out by BMRB Social Research on behalf of the former Department for Education Skills (DfES)
Qualifications
On completion of your Apprenticeship you’ll get a package of nationally-recognised qualifications. That means your qualifications will be valid for any employer and you can change jobs and take your skills and qualifications with you.
Your performance and knowledge are assessed on the job as you reach different levels. These assessments count towards your final NVQ, which for Apprenticeships will be either an NVQ Level 2 or an NVQ Level 3/4. Examining bodies award these qualifications to make sure there’s a consistently high level of quality across the nation.
Depending on the Apprenticeship you choose, you may also study for a Technical Certificate which will give you further knowledge and understanding of your job. This might be a BTEC National Diploma or City & Guilds Progression Award.
You’ll also learn about communications, information technology, problem solving, application of numbers and personal skills. These important transferable skills will help you do any job and make you more employable whatever career path you choose to follow.
How do I apply?
Applying couldn’t be easier: there are a number of possibilities...
Apprenticeship Hotline
With one simple phone call to the Apprenticeship hotline, you can find out all you need to know about Apprenticeships and request more details about the areas of work you’re interested in. Further information will then be sent to you.
Within a few weeks, a local adviser will be in touch with you to set up meetings with learning providers in your local area. These learning providers have contacts with local employers who may have suitable vacancies for you.
The call won’t cost you a penny and can lead to your future career. So what are you waiting for? The number you need to remember is 08000 150 600.
Online
If you’d prefer to register your interest online then all you have to do is log on to the Learning and Skills Council’s (LSC’s) website. Go into the ‘Want to become an apprentice?’ section and click on the link entitled ‘What next?’ You’ll then receive information about opportunities in your local area that suit your requirements. The LSC will also put you in touch with a learning provider who’ll try and match you with a local employer.
Employer contact
If you’ve found an Apprenticeship within a specific company that particularly interests you then you can approach an employer directly.
It’s always beneficial to check the company website before you contact them, as larger employers tend to have the answers to most of the common questions online. It also gives a good impression that you’ve done your research and you’re clued up.
Once you’ve made initial contact with the employer, they’ll send you information about the training they offer or they’ll direct you to their website.
It’s important to bear in mind that you’ll be contacting the company as a potential employee so you should make sure you remain professional at all times. Remember, first impressions are crucial.
To find companies that offer Apprenticeships you can always check out your local job listings and newspapers. Local recruitment agencies also prove a great source for advice.If you’re already in employment, why not ask your employer if they’ve ever thought about setting up an Apprenticeship programme of their own? If they need more information, suggest they look at the Apprenticeships website for employers.They can also call the LSC’s Apprenticeship helpline for employers on 08000 150 400.
Speak to an adviser
If you’re still considering options other than just an Apprenticeship, you’re not sure about which career path is for you, or you’re 19 or under, then why not talk to a Connexions Direct Adviser? You can contact Connexions by calling 080800 13219 or visiting the website at www.connexions-direct.com.
Alternatively if you’re over 19 years of age you can contact your local Jobcentre Plus for additional help and advice. For more information you can visit the Jobcentre Plus website.
What next?
After you’ve received all the background information make sure you apply as soon as you can. Places may not be available for long so if you find something you like, get down to filling in all the necessary forms and be sure to confirm meetings with employers.
Remember that you’re not automatically guaranteed a place on an Apprenticeship. The selection process is like any other job application and you’ll have to convince people to take you on by showing them you’re the right person for the job. You’ll have to present yourself well, ‘sell’ yourself and convince them that you’re serious.
Depending on the type of Apprenticeship you choose, you may have to go through one or more interviews, fill in forms, and even take some tests. This whole process can be carried out both by the employer and learning provider that you’re hoping to train with.
It’s a bit of a waiting game, we’re afraid. Some companies will tell you whether you’ve been successful on the day, others will call you the next day, and others might even make you wait a week or two before putting you out of your misery.
If you get the job – fantastic. Have a celebratory ginger beer, tell your friends and family, and then contact the employer to find out any information you need before you start. Now’s also the time to sort out things like bank accounts, clothes for work and so on.
Didn’t get the job? Never mind. It can feel a bit rubbish, we know. But don’t feel like a failure – for every successful applicant there will be many more who don’t quite make it. Often an employer’s final decision is a very close one, and you shouldn’t feel discouraged.
Rejection, as annoying as it is, is just like getting knocked off the employment bicycle. You need to dust yourself off and get back on, and treat it as a learning experience. Call the company and find out why your application was unsuccessful (positive criticism can be very helpful), improve it for the next one and start applying for other jobs. You’ll have those stabilisers off in no time!
Good luck in finding the right Apprenticeship, and in getting onto the one that interests you. And whatever else happens, don’t give up.