Graduated from the Makers bootcamp? Interested in apprenticeships? Please read the following!
Thanks for your interest in a Makers apprenticeship- apprenticeships are a great way to get your first role in tech. There are some key differences between applying for an apprenticeship and applying for a role as Junior Developer or similar role which are worth being aware of. We have also answered some of the frequently asked questions about apprenticeships below.
Apprenticeships are funded by the Government, and as a result there are a number of compliance and finding rules to which Makers must adhere; we’ve explained some of these below.
Apprenticeships are a qualification; an apprentice spends between 18 months and two years working alongside building a portfolio which demonstrates the knowledge, skills and behaviours they are required to evidence to meet the requirements of the apprenticeship. In order to pass the apprenticeship an individual must complete this portfolio, a final project and an ‘End Point Assessment’- a professional discussion with external assessors where the grade of the apprenticeship will be decided (Pass, Merit, Distinction.)
Apprentices are given 20% of their working hours to work on their apprenticeship portfolio, referred to as ‘Off the Job Hours’.
It is worth noting that often (but not always) apprenticeship salaries are lower than salaries for Junior Developers in the general job market.
What is the qualification gained at the end of a Makers apprenticeship?
There are four apprenticeship programmes available through Makers. They are:
Software Development
DevOps
Software Testing
Data Engineering
These are all Level 4 apprenticeships. Level 4 apprenticeships are equivalent to the first year of an undergraduate degree or Higher National Certificate (HNC).
Which apprenticeships am I eligible for? Why?
As a graduate of the Makers bootcamp, you have too much prior learning to be eligible for the Software Development apprenticeship at Makers. This is due to funding and compliance rules set by the government, as apprenticeships are government funded. They specify that someone cannot have too much prior learning in the subject in which they are doing the apprenticeship- and the Makers bootcamp is considered too much prior learning in Software Development to be compliant.
Other qualifications may also make you ineligible for apprenticeships- these may be things you have studied for in the past or are studying now. This is unusual but is worth being aware of particularly if you have studied Computer Science at degree or Masters level. If you are unsure of your eligibility, please flag in your careers channel, tagging Rachel Boston and she will get back to you.
Am I eligible for apprenticeships run by other training providers?
Yes, you will be eligible to apply for apprenticeships outside of Makers with other providers. For details of eligibility, you will need to contact them directly.
What is the process to apply for Makers apprenticeships?
Any apprenticeship run through Makers for which our job hunters are eligible will be shared by a member of the Admissions team on student slack. They will include all the relevant information about the role and what you need to do to apply.
Will I need to be interviewed as part of the selection process?
You may be invited to an interview with one of our Admissions team. The interview would likely be half an hour via Zoom. The process can vary depending on the apprenticeship campaign and you may not need to be interviewed again- details will be included in the information shared about the role.
For the majority of apprenticeships, Makers shortlist from all applicants and then the shortlisted candidates are invited to an interview with the hiring partner. As most of our apprenticeship campaigns are open to the general public this process can take up to two months from the opportunity going live to shortlisting, so please don’t worry if you don’t get an update for a while. As soon as the team are able to, they will let you know the next steps.
What will the bootcamp part of a Makers apprenticeship look like if I have already done the Makers bootcamp?
Again, this depends on the apprenticeship and the hiring partner with whom we are working. It may be that you are required to re-do some modules from the bootcamp, but may be that you only need to complete some specialist modules in DevOps, Data Engineering or Quality Engineering.
If I apply for an apprenticeship, how will I be told about my progress?
You will be informed via email; the admissions and selection team don’t use slack to update candidates on their applications. Please check both your inbox and your junk folder to ensure you aren’t missing any communication. You must also make sure you are subscribed to Makers’ emails- you can check this by going into your Hubspot account and ensuring you have subscribed and not opted out of communication from Makers.
Where will I see information about Makers apprenticeships?
Any apprenticeship opportunity for which Makers graduates (job hunters) are eligible will be posted in the Job Hunter channel on student slack. The post will outline information about the opportunity, and a link to apply. You should ensure you select the box on the application form that says you have completed the Makers bootcamp- this helps the admissions team know who has applied.
You can also follow Makers on Instagram and Linkedin to see our apprenticeship opportunities; although please note you will not necessarily be eligible for all apprenticeships advertised.
What happens after the bootcamp portion of the apprenticeship? What support do I receive on placement?
You can read about the on-placement support in the apprenticeship brochure attached.
What is the DevOps/Quality Engineering/Dat Engineering curriculum like?
You can read more details about the curriculum in the apprenticeship brochure attached.
What does the final assessment look like for an apprenticeship?
You can read more about the EPA (End Point Assessment) in the apprenticeship brochure attached.
What should I do if I have questions about a Makers apprenticeship?
Please post in your careers channel, tagging Rachel Boston