Apprenticeships
What Is An Apprenticeship?
An apprenticeship is an alternative to talking A-Levels or going to university. It is a paid job where the employee learns and gains valuable experience.Alongside the on-the-job training, they will also spend at least 20% of their allocated working hours completing classroom based learning with a local college, university or training provider.
At the end of the apprenticeship they will have a nationally recongnised qualification.
An apprenticeship would include:
- paid employment
- holiday leave
- learning within a field of interest
- at least 20% training within a classroom
- formal assessment leading to a qualification
Who Can Apply?
Apprenticeships are open to people over the age of 16 in England who are:
- early in their career
- looking to upskill in their current job
- looking for a career change
- not in full-time education
Each apprenticeship will have its own entry requirements so you will need to check these with the employer and local educational provider.
Apprenticeship Levels
There are different levels of apprenticeships which equate to different qualification levels.
An apprenticeship can start at any level but some may require previous qualifications such as Maths or English GCSEs or additional training in these to make sure the apprentice is at the right level.
The different apprenticeship levels are:
| Level | Equivalent education level | |
| Intermediate | 2 | GCSE |
| Advanced | 3 | A-Level |
| Higher | 4, 5, 6 and 7 | Foundation degree and above |
| Degree | 6 and 7 | Bachelor's or master's degree |
Off-The-Job Training
It is a statutory requirement for an apprentice to have at least 20% of their time spent in paid 'off-the-job training'. This can be spread out over the course of the apprenticeship (one day a week) or given as a block time. This would be agreed in advance with the employer. This allows the student to access important training to help them gain the skills to complete the apprenticeship.
Off-the-job training can include:
- teaching theory (classroom lessons, lectures, online learning etc)
- practical training (work shadowing, mentoring etc)
- allocated time to write assignments
Benefits Of An Apprenticeship
There are many benefits to an apprenticeship. It is a great option to anyone who wants to learn outside of the classroom and you have the ability to earn while studying.
You can complete an apprenticeship to a degree level and end up with the same qualification as someone who went to university without owing any student loan, have been earning for the duration of your study and have a number of years experience for your CV.
Finding An Apprenticeship
You can visit the pages below to find out more about apprenticeships and how to find ones in your local area.