Everything teachers need to know about apprenticeships

Teachers, you’re busy and the world of apprenticeships changes frequently. Apprenticeships offer an exciting and innovative entry into work for some of your students. Here’s everything you need to know about apprenticeships to give your students a head start!

What is an apprenticeship?

An apprenticeship is a paid job where your students have the opportunity to learn and gain valuable experiences. Alongside on-the-job training, apprentices spend at least six-hours per week completing classroom-based learning with a college, university or training provider, and which leads to a nationally recognised qualification.

Is there an apprenticeship for every job role?

There are apprenticeships available for thousands of different jobs in a range of industries. From something hands-on like engineering, nursing or construction, to a career in marketing, law or project management.

Recent news that a new medical doctor degree apprenticeship has just been approved to start from September 2023 shows just how far apprenticeships have come in the past few years.

What do the different apprenticeship levels mean?

Apprenticeship levels work slightly differently to typical academic levels, which is why people often want to know what an apprenticeship level is equivalent to.

Apprenticeship levels are ranked in terms of ‘intermediate’, ‘advanced’, ‘higher’ and ‘degree’ levels, each with a corresponding level number or numbers:

It’s important to note that we often talk about degree apprenticeships as an alternative to university, but other apprenticeships are just as useful. I myself took an advanced apprenticeship before undertaking a degree apprenticeship.

Molly, an A level student I know, also opted to take an advanced apprenticeship, working for Google. Interestingly, most of Google’s apprenticeships are only available at levels below a degree which is why it is important your students are open to taking an apprenticeship at numerous levels. Molly has since gone on to join the graduate scheme at TikTok, without a degree, showing just how much employers value apprenticeships.

How can you best support your students?

Students need their teachers to be as impartial and supportive as possible. Teachers need to give students an overview of all their options, and support students once they have decided on the path that is best for them.

Teachers should tell students about university, apprenticeships, gap years, work and any other options, then support them as they navigate the options and choose what suits them.

I have worked with some incredible apprentices to create Apprentice Talks, a podcast all about apprenticeships and Your Future Forward, a digital careers platform to give students an overview of their options.

My friends over at Your Game Plan provide students with free access to employability courses, tools and opportunities designed by employers including a CV builder.

How to find an apprenticeship

The majority of apprenticeships are advertised on ‘Find an apprenticeship’, and students can search by keyword, location and level. 

Some other great websites to check are Not Going To Uni, Multiverse and Rate My Apprenticeship.

For students who know where they want to work, it is often a good idea to check the career page on the company website. Wherever students are looking, make sure they’re signing up to receive alerts where possible. 

If a student wants to work for a company but can’t find an apprenticeship, getting in touch by email or LinkedIn is a great way to ask if they offer apprenticeships. Who knows, maybe your students' message will motivate the company to start an apprenticeship programme and your student could be their very first apprentice!