What is an Apprenticeship?

What is an apprenticeship? An apprenticeship is a real job where you learn, gain experience and get paid. You're an employee with a contract of employment and holiday leave. By the end of an apprenticeship, you'll have the right skills and knowledge needed for your chosen career.

As an apprentice, you:

• work for, and learn from, an employer who supports you through your apprenticeship.

• complete practical, on-the-job assessments such as showing you can lay carpet.

• attend courses that are part of the apprenticeship such as block courses, evening courses and day-release classes.

You are also supported by an ITO (Industry Training Organisation - see the pages that follow) which often provides a tutor to work with you on assessments.