Apprenticeships

An apprenticeship is a real job where you will work towards a qualification. You'll be an employee and will receive wages and holiday pay. You'll work alongside experienced colleagues who will support you to gain job related knowledge, experience and skills.  You'll also receive 20% of your working hours for off-the-job training time. There are a number of different levels of apprenticeships and the time taken to complete an apprenticeship may be dependent on the level. Find out more about apprenticeships here.

Amazing Apprenticeships have produced this short film highlighting all the basic facts about apprenticeships, which you can watch here. 

Amazing Apprenticeships have also produced an Apprenticeships Interactive Guide.  You can work your way through the guide and consider the benefits of an apprenticeship, decide whether an apprenticeship is for you, learn how to find an apprenticeship and discover more about the pay and funding for apprenticeships. 

There are numerous methods to find an apprenticeship, it is best to use a multi system approach in order to maximise your chances of finding an apprenticeship.

Find an Apprenticeship is the government website that lists many apprenticeships vacancies. You can search and apply for apprenticeships through this website.

Another way to find an apprenticeship is to check on employers' own careers websites. Many employers advertise apprenticeships directly on their own websites and some may have particular times of the year that they advertise and take applications. Follow employers on social media to keep up to date with their recruitment campaigns. 

You can also look for an apprenticeship on the college's own website - click here to view all current vacancies. If you find an employer who is willing to take you on as an apprentice but needs help with the process, you can contact our Apprenticeships Team who can advise and help get you set up.

Apprenticeships are also sometimes advertised on general job search websites. It's worth looking when you are job searching on sites like Indeed and Total Jobs. 

Many apprentices secure full-time permanent work with the employer once their apprenticeship comes to an end, but there are lots of opportunities for apprentices once they have finished their apprenticeship too. Have a look at these occupational maps to give you an idea of progression opportunities and the types of jobs in which you can do an apprenticeship. 

Depending on the vacancy, you may be asked to send a CV and covering letter or you may be asked to complete an application form. As an apprenticeship is a real job, you will be interviewed and the employer will be assessing you for your suitability to the job, as well as for your ability to complete the apprenticeship.

See below for some information from Amazing Apprenticeships about how to put together a CV and covering letter. 

• CV tips 

• Covering letter

Amazing Apprenticeships have also produced this step by step guide to applying for an apprenticeship. 

If you would like some help looking for an apprenticeship or applying for one, please contact a member of the Careers Team.