Apprenticeship or Internship, what’s the difference? (2024)

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Apprenticeship or Internship, what’s the difference? (4)

What’s the difference between an apprenticeship and an internship?

Being an Apprentice or an Intern are both valid ways of getting valuable experience within a specific industry and extremely useful for employers to fill skill or staffing shortages. They both however differ greatly in the benefit to employer and trainee, but, what is the difference? Below we look at key differences and advantages of both:

1. How long do they last?

An internship usually only lasts for a few months but can be longer whereas an apprenticeship will last for a minimum of a year and in some cases up to 5 or 6 years, depending on the qualification and industry. An internship is usually regarded as a short work experience stint where an intern will put existing skills into use and gain experience. An Apprentice however is a long term qualification where you teach an appropriate person new skills and knowledge to ensure they are of most value to the company long term.

2. Apprenticeships are qualifications, internships are work experience.

An apprentice will receive training from an apprenticeship provider, college or university and work towards a nationally recognised qualification at an appropriate level. This will be achieved through a combination of training, shadowing, coursework and mentoring and they are required to spend a minimum of 6 hours a week of their time developing in this way. The apprenticeship is a combination of training from the provider and the employer so it is imperative that the company has the skills to teach and develop the new hire apprentice.

An intern on the other hand will only receive training from their employer and will not gain any form of qualification from the process. They will also usually only be putting existing skills into use and gaining experience rather than new skills from the process. Due to this it is not unheard of for an intern to be hired and given a project outside of the companies skillset or knowledge. Apprentices will be looking for their first step on the career ladder whereas an intern is collecting practical experience.

3. Apprenticeships are always paid whereas Internships are often not.

Internships are now increasing in structure and minimum requirements however many are still not paid. With schemes like Santander’s intern Salary matching, this helps to ensure students are not taken advantage of however this is very often not the case. An intern’s rights depend on their employment status. If an intern is classed as a worker, then they’re normally due the National Minimum Wage.

Internships are more regularly called work placements or work experience and these terms have no legal status on their own. Apprenticeships on the other hand are heavily regulated and although minimum wage for apprenticeships is £5.28 an hour, the majority are paid at a much higher rate. At Professional Apprenticeships, apprentices will earn anywhere from £12,000 – £20,000pa starting salary.

4. The BIG one, an apprenticeship is more likely to end as a full time role.

It is rare but not unheard of that an intern will be given a permanent role upon completion. Usually there is a short term need for such a skillset but not the need or potentially budget for this to become longer term. It is also rare that an intern will accept such a role as they are usually looking for short term experience to work towards a different goal. This doesn’t however lessen the positive impact and internship can have for both business and intern as long as clear expectations are set prior to commencing the placement.

An apprentice will normally be committing to a longer term agreement and more often than not, hope to be taken on after their apprenticeship. This makes apprenticeships an ideal system for addressing skills shortages, succession planning or bringing in new talent when expanding. When handled properly and well planned, the chances of retaining apprentices that have proven themselves is high and can lead to a long term career in a company they feel an immense sense of loyalty to. For the apprentice, sticking with the company you train in often leads to quicker progression as statistics show that home grown talent often progress quicker.

For more information on Apprenticeships or internships call us on 0117 422 4000 or email info@professionalapprenticeships.co.uk

ProApprenAdmin2023-09-26T13:54:47+01:00January 14th, 2023|

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FAQs

What are the differences with an apprenticeship vs an internship? ›

Apprenticeships are usually paid positions, while internships may or may not be paid opportunities. Since apprentices contribute almost immediately to the company, they receive payment for their work. Some apprentices may also receive employment benefits, as they're often full-time employees.

Why do you want to do an apprenticeship answer? ›

I want to use this apprenticeship as an opportunity to gain practical work experience that will build on my academic training. I also read about the growth prospects for apprentices on your company website and how you internalise those who successfully complete their apprenticeship tenure.

Is an apprentice like an intern? ›

What is the difference between an apprenticeship and an internship? Apprenticeships are regulated, long-term, paid positions that train participants in a skilled trade. Internships tend to be short-term, and they may offer college credit instead of a wage.

What's the difference between a student and an apprentice? ›

At their core, both apprentices and students are seeking knowledge and skills to help them succeed in their chosen field. However, apprenticeships are typically more focused on hands-on learning and mentorship, whereas students often rely more heavily on classroom instruction and self-guided study.

What are 2 disadvantages of an apprenticeship? ›

CONS
  • #1 – You could limit your options. One potential risk of undertaking an apprenticeship is limiting your options. ...
  • #2 – Wage. Despite being paid a salary, apprentices typically start on a low salary. ...
  • #3 – Commitment. ...
  • #4 – Extra responsibility. ...
  • #5 – Holiday allowance.

What counts as an internship? ›

An internship is a professional learning experience that offers meaningful, practical work related to a student's field of study or career interest. An internship gives a student the opportunity for career exploration and development, and to learn new skills.

How do you answer an apprenticeship question? ›

Relating your existing skills with the apprenticeship you're applying for can help a recruiter see how you can be useful in the position. When answering, explain both your strengths and weaknesses and describe the areas you can improve through the apprenticeship.

How do I pass an apprenticeship interview? ›

To make sure you're prepared, you should:
  1. research the apprenticeship and the organisation.
  2. practice by doing a mock interview.
  3. check where and when the interview is.
  4. get to the interview early.
  5. dress appropriately and stay focussed.
  6. ask questions if you don't understand.

How can I impress my apprenticeship interview? ›

Prepare examples Employers will often ask about previous experience, skills and strengths. Prepare relevant examples so that answers come more naturally. After the interview, try to write down some of the interview questions to help prepare for future interviews.

What are the benefits of an apprenticeship? ›

You will learn skills that are directly relevant to a particular career, and gain work experience in that area. With degree apprenticeships, your degree will be viewed as the equal of a degree earned through traditional routes into higher education, and will be recognised by other employers. Your prospects are good.

Are internships good or bad? ›

Students with internship experience get 26.3% more interview requests, 16% more job offers, and 12% higher salaries than their less experienced peers. And these statistics apply whether the internship is paid or unpaid. As you can see, the main reason to do an internship is for career advancement.

What is the main difference between an apprentice and a trainee? ›

The main difference is that a traineeship is offered in a broader range of occupations and is shorter - typically over one or two years. An apprenticeship covers skilled trades and takes a lot longer - usually three to four years, either full or part-time.

How does an apprenticeship work? ›

An apprenticeship is a paid job where the employee learns and gains valuable experiences. Alongside on-the-job training, apprentices spend at least 20% of their working hours completing classroom-based learning with a college, university or training provider which leads to a nationally recognised qualification.

Does apprentice mean beginner? ›

An apprentice is a young person who works for someone in order to learn their skill. I started off as an apprentice and worked my way up. If a young person is apprenticed to someone, they go to work for them in order to learn their skill. I was apprenticed to a plumber when I was fourteen.

What is an apprenticeship equivalent to? ›

Depending on the level, higher apprenticeships are the equivalent to the first year of an undergraduate degree or a foundation degree. During these programmes, learners continue their education while expanding their skills and gaining work experience (but without building up student debt).

What distinguishes an apprenticeship from an internship quizlet? ›

Apprenticeship is sponsored by employee unions, whereas internship is sponsored by educational institutions.

What is the advantage of an apprenticeship vs college? ›

Faster Entry into the Workforce: Unlike college, which typically takes four years or more to complete, apprenticeships can lead to job placement in your chosen field within a year or two. If you're looking to get into the workforce quickly, this is a good option for you.

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