Apprenticeships
What are Apprenticeships?
Apprenticeships are basically a scheme where people can earn money while they learn. Whether it begins straight after you finish school or when you have already worked. But are looking for a new opportunity in your career. If you are looking to start one yourself, this guide will give you a better understanding!
Why choose apprenticeships?
Maybe you’re about to finish your GCSEs or A-Levels. You want to start one as a way of getting your foot in the door in the industry you want to work in. Maybe you are already in employment but you want to continue learning to progress your career. There are lots of reasons for becoming an apprentice and the schemes can really help in your career progression!
You will get the opportunity to fuse together classroom learning and on the job training. Giving you both the education you need and the skills that can only be gained by doing a specific job.
How long do apprenticeships take?
They have to be at least 12 months long. But each one will take a different amount of time depending on the level, employer, and industry.
Will I get paid?
The National Minimum Wage for apprentices in the UK this year (2017) is £3.50 per hour minimum if they are under the age of 19, or 19 and over but in the first year of their apprenticeship. If an apprentice is age 19 or over and have completed the first year then they are entitled to the minimum wage for their age – so a 23-year-old who has finished the first year would be entitled to a minimum of £7.05 per hour.
What qualification will I get?
An apprentice will gain a nationally recognised qualification which can be one of four levels. These levels include Intermediate (Level 2), Advanced (Level 3), Higher (Levels 4-7), and Degree (Levels 6 and 7). At Level 2 your qualification will be equivalent to five GCSEs at grades A-C, Level 3 will be equivalent to two A-Levels, Levels 4-7 are equivalent to a Foundation Degree, and Levels 6 and 7 equal a Degree level.
Am I eligible?
They are open to anyone who is over the age of 16 in England who isn’t already in full time education. As long as you are prepared for further study and want to learn on the job, you are perfectly eligible!
What industry can I do it in?
There are so many different types of apprenticeships in so many different industries, from Media to Accountancy, Engineering to Retail, you should be able to find a course that suits your career aspirations.
Hopefully this guide has given you a better understanding of if an apprenticeship is right for you, and I’d definitely suggest that you take a further look into those available in your industry. You may also want to check out our guide to writing a good CV, or our interview tips and tricks if you are successful in gaining an interview for your brand new apprenticeship!