Apprenticeships explained
What is an Apprenticeship?
They are work-based training programmes designed around the needs of employers, which lead to national recognised qualifications.
What are the benefits of an Apprenticeship?
Apprenticeships give you the opportunity to work for a real employer, earn a real salary and gain a real qualification whilst gaining valuable workplace skills and experience.
Anyone living in England, over 16 years old and not in full-time education can apply to be an apprentice.
Quality is key to Apprenticeships.
All Apprenticeships must be at least 12 months long and lead to a national qualification that is respected by employers around the world.
For a video explaining apprenticeships click here : https://amazingapprenticeships.com/resource/the-apprenticeship-assembly-film/
What level of Apprenticeships are there?
There are four types of Apprenticeship you can apply for depending on your current skills and qualifications:
1 - Intermediate Level Apprenticeships
(equivalent to 5 GCSE passes)
2 - Advanced Level Apprenticeships
(equivalent to 2 A level passes)
3 - Higher Apprenticeships
(lead to NVQ Level 4 and above or a Foundation Degree)
4- Degree Apprenticeships
(lead to Level 6 and 7 qualifications)
School leaver programmes, higher apprenticeships and sponsored degrees explained.
What is a higher apprenticeship?
Higher level apprenticeships are usually available for students undertaking level 3 qualifications such as A levels and/ or equivalents.
Higher apprenticeships offer a work-based learning programme and lead to a nationally recognised qualification at one of the following:
- a level 4 and 5 - equivalent to a higher education certificate, higher education diploma or a foundation degree
What is a degree apprenticeship?
This option enables university study and the invaluable on-the-job training typical of an Apprenticeship, without having to cover the cost of tuition.
- a level 6 - equivalent to a bachelor degree
The qualifications offered depend on the employer examples can include: bachelors degrees, HNDs or HNCs.
When to apply
Apprenticeship vacancies appear throughout the year – each will give a deadline for applications, and start dates. Don’t wait until the deadline to make an application – some companies close their recruitment as soon as they have a sufficient number of suitable candidates.
Vacancies with larger firms often start appearing from September, but most start to be advertised from January or February onwards. Smaller businesses might start recruiting a month or two before the job starts, so if you hope to start work in August or September, start looking from March/April onwards.
If you’re interested in working for a particular employer, take a look at their website – most have a page on careers, apprenticeships, or vacancies. If you are interested in a particular apprenticeship job role, you can filter your search for these on the vacancy listing.
Useful videos
Apprenticeship NAW Feb 2024 _ Loom - 23 January 2024.mp4