Apprenticeships

Apprenticeships: A Care Leavers Guide

This guide for care-experienced young people/Care Leavers contains concise and clear information about apprenticeships and what help is available for those care experienced people who are considering an apprenticeship, including financial assistance. 

Top Tips

1. Financial help: If you are under 25 and have been in local authority care, your training provider can support you to access a £1,000 bursary from the government when you start your apprenticeship. To access this bursary, you will need to give your training provider proof that you’re eligible. Please talk to your Personal Adviser and they can give you the evidence you need. This funding will be claimed from the government by your training provider, and then paid directly to you by your training provider. It is to support you in your role and is in addition to your wage. You are not required to pay it back.

2. Where can I get careers advice? You can speak to the National Careers Service who can help you to make decisions on the different learning, training and work options available to you. You can speak with a careers adviser through webchat, email or the phone helpline. If you’re aged 19 or over, you can also get a face-to-face meeting to discuss your options. 

3. Myth: 'Apprenticeships won’t help my career like higher education would'. Not only do apprentices add extra benefit to a workplace, but an apprenticeship can also benefit your career. You’re getting the same qualification as you would at college or university. Degree apprenticeships are a great way to get your degree without taking on any student loans as all training costs are paid for by your employer and/or the government.