Become an apprentice (2024)

Apprenticeships combine practical training in a job with study.

As an apprentice you’ll:

  • be an employee earning a wage and getting holiday pay
  • work alongside experienced staff
  • gain job-specific skills
  • get time for training and study related to your role (at least 20% of your normal working hours)

Apprenticeships take 1 to 5 years to complete depending on their level.

Levels of apprenticeship

Apprenticeships have equivalent educational levels.

Level Equivalent educational 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

Some apprenticeships may also give you an additional qualification, such as a diploma.

Who can start an apprenticeship

To start an apprenticeship, you’ll need to be:

  • 16 or over
  • living in England
  • not in full-time education

You can apply for an apprenticeship while you’re still at school but you’ll need to be 16 or over by the end of the summer holidays to start the apprenticeship.

If you have relevant experience

You could spend less time training or qualify earlier if you have relevant experience. This includes having:

  • qualifications, such as a National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) in a relevant subject
  • industry or sector experience
  • completed training, such as an IT course

You can agree this with your training provider and employer when you start your apprenticeship.

Apprenticeships in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland

Different organisations deal with:

Become an apprentice (2024)

FAQs

Is it hard to get an apprenticeship? ›

Apprenticeships as exclusive job training may be difficult to find, many of which are administered through trade unions. They are in high demand in some areas.

What apprenticeship pays the most? ›

Highest-paid apprenticeships
  1. Mechanic apprentice. ...
  2. Elevator technician apprentice. ...
  3. Plumber apprentice. ...
  4. Electrician apprentice. ...
  5. Carpenter apprentice.

What is the average age of an apprentice? ›

Starts by age

48% of the apprenticeships started in 2022/23 were by people aged 25 and over, while 23% were aged under 19 and 29% were aged between 19 and 24.

What are the four types of apprenticeships? ›

What are the 4 types of apprenticeships? There are four levels of apprenticeship: intermediate, advanced, higher, and degree. Keep scrolling to find out what each level involves and what you need to apply for.

Is 30 too old for an apprenticeship? ›

There is no upper age limit for taking an apprenticeship course, and with people having longer working lives there are more opportunities to change career now than ever before. Apprenticeships are an ideal way to do that.

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's the quickest trade to learn? ›

What is the shortest trade school? Medical assistant programs generally take the least amount of time to complete. Students can finish their training in as little as eight weeks.

Who is the best employer for apprenticeships? ›

The Top 5 SME Apprenticeship Employers for 2023 are:
  • Lee Marley Brickwork.
  • PM+M Solutions for Business.
  • FD Works.
  • Bodystreet.
  • Less Than Zero Barbers.
Jul 3, 2023

Are paid apprenticeships worth it? ›

RAPs often lead to well-paying jobs with good benefits. Apprentices earn a salary throughout the program. RAPs can lead to jobs that are in high demand. Apprentices receive on-the-job training, which can be more relevant to the job they will be doing than classroom instruction.

What is the oldest age to be an apprentice? ›

There is no apprenticeship age limit. There are many ways apprenticeships can not only benefit older people but can also be beneficial for their careers - from upskilling to restarting in a new field. Apprenticeships aren't just for young people and here's why...

Is being an apprentice stressful? ›

For example, apprentices can get stressed if they feel they don't have the skills or time to meet tight deadlines. The pressures of an apprenticeship can add to stress if the apprentice doesn't have the resources to handle it. Stress affects people differently – what stresses one person may not affect another.

How many years do most apprenticeships take? ›

Formal apprenticeship programs usually last about 4 years, depending on the employer or occupation, although they may take as little as 12 months or as many as 6 years. Many of these programs are registered with the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL).

What is an entry level apprenticeship? ›

Intermediate level apprenticeships are entry-level apprenticeships. These programmes allow learners to get their foot in the door and start working towards their future careers. Intermediate apprenticeship programmes can nurture employees' skills and improve retention rates.

What is a level 1 apprenticeship? ›

Level 1 – This level includes Study programmes and Traineeships. This is aimed at individuals who have just left school and are looking for some knowledge of your preferred sector and some hands-on experience.

What type of apprenticeship can I do? ›

Choice of apprenticeships
  • computer science.
  • motor vehicle.
  • mechanical engineering.
  • retail.
  • construction.
  • accountancy.

How to get accepted for an apprenticeship? ›

Each employer will have a different application process, so you'll need to read the vacancy carefully and ensure you understand any deadlines and next steps. You will usually be asked to submit a CV and answer some questions about yourself. If you get through the first stage, you'll be invited to an interview.

How do you increase your chances of getting an apprenticeship? ›

Here are some helpful hints and tips that can help you gain your dream Apprenticeship.
  1. Produce a CV that stands out from the crowd! Your CV is the first step into an Apprenticeship. ...
  2. Be proactive! ...
  3. Prepare for interviews in advance! ...
  4. Research, research, and more research! ...
  5. Work experience! ...
  6. Social media use! ...
  7. Seek advice!

Is an apprenticeship worth it? ›

An apprenticeship allows you to earn while you learn

Most of the training is delivered in the workplace, so you can learn the skills you need to do the job well. The rest of the training is given by a training organisation, either at the workplace, off-site (at college) or via e-learning.

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