Learners
What levels of Apprenticeship are there?
There are various levels of Apprenticeship to apply for depending on current skills and qualifications. Apprenticeships have equivalent educational levels:
Intermediate – Level 2
Equivalent Educational Level – 5 GCSE passed at grade A* – C or 9 – 4
Advanced – Level 3
Equivalent Educational Level – 2 A Level Passes
Higher – Level 4, 5, 6 and 7
Equivalent Educational Level – HND Level and above
Degree – Level 6 and 7
Equivalent Educational Level – Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree
All apprenticeships include elements of on and off the job training leading to industry recognised standards or qualifications. Some apprenticeships will require an assessment at the end of the programme to assess the apprentice`s ability and competence in their job role.
What can I expect to be paid as an Apprentice?
The minimum salary is £4.81 per hour. This rate applies to the first 12 months of an apprenticeship, regardless of age. It will then increase to the National Minimum Wage for your relative age group. However, your salary is at the discretion of your employer and in many instances you could be paid more than than the National Minimum Wage.
Do I need to be employed to undertake an Apprenticeship?
Yes. All apprentices must be employed, working a minimum of 30 hours a week before we can offer them a training programme.
Can anyone become an Apprentice?
Apprenticeships are open to anyone above 16 years whether you are just leaving school, have been working for years or are seeking to start a new career. You just need to be living in England and not in full-time education.
However competition for places with employers can be fierce, so you will need to show that you are committed, and aware of your responsibilities to both yourself and the company who would employ you. You also need to be happy to work as both part of a team and individually, and be able to use your own initiative.
Can I undertake an Apprenticeship if I have a degree?
Yes. Apprenticeship can be funded at the same or lower level than a qualification you already hold, if the Apprenticeship allows you to acquire substantive new skills and we can show that the content of the training is materially different from any prior qualification or a previous apprenticeship you have done.
How do I apply to become an Apprentice?
If you are a school leaver you can apply here.
If you are an adult or college learner and are looking to secure an apprenticeship now, you can apply here or view our many vacancies here and apply direct to the employer.
What happens after I have applied to become an Apprentice?
If you find an employer, we will make arrangements to visit the company. We will also invite you to college to for an interview and initial assessment to ensure you enrol on to the correct type and level of Apprenticeship. If you haven’t yet secured an employer we will invite you in for interview and initial assessment and then work with you to help secure employment.
What happens if I’m unsuccessful?
If you didn’t quite make the grade to get on to an apprenticeship, or you are struggling to find an employer, don’t worry! Apprenticeships can be very competitive and for some individuals your journey onto an apprenticeship might start with a full-time or part-time course at college. This will give you the opportunity to develop your skills and abilities to progress into an apprenticeship in the future. Many of our learners have made the transition from classroom based study into apprenticeships.