About apprenticeships

What is an apprenticeship?

You are employed to do a real job while studying for a formal qualification in your chosen area.

By the end of your apprenticeship you will have gained the necessary skills and knowledge to progress in your area of study.

You will gain a nationally-recognised qualification at the end of your apprenticeship.

Diplomas

Alternatively we also offer diplomas.

Diplomas give you an overview of a particular area of interest and help you to develop new skills and experience. You can then undertake further training such as an apprenticeship.

Study programmes

We also offer study programmes.

These are a range of courses for 16-18 year olds to develop personal, social and employability skills.

Apprenticeship leaflet pdf document].

Apprenticeship levels

There are four different levels of apprenticeship:

• Intermediate - equal to five grade 4 (or grade C) GCSE passes.
• Advanced - equal to two A-level passes.
• Higher - equal to the first stages of higher education, such as a foundation degree.
• Degree - comparable to a Bachelors or Masters degree.

Length of apprenticeships

Apprenticeship lengths vary depending on a number of factors:

• Intermediate apprenticeships - last between 1 year and 18 months
• Advanced apprenticeships - last between 18 months and 2 years
• Higher and degree apprenticeships - last between 3 and 6 years

Age limit

You must be at least 16 years old.

There's no upper age limit on being an apprentice.

Pay rates

National Apprenticeship Wage

You'll receive the National Apprenticeship Wage if:

• you're aged under 19 and an apprentice
• you're aged 19 or over and in the first year of your apprenticeship

National Minimum Wage

You'll receive the National Minimum Wage if you're aged 19 or over and have completed your first year of your apprenticeship.

For more information, see GOV.UK - Become an apprentice [external link].

Apprenticeship areas

We offer Apprenticeship training in the following areas:

Motor vehicle mechanics

• Auto Care Technician (Level 2).
• Motor Vehicle and Service Technician (Level 3).

Care and teaching

• Adult Care Worker (Level 2).
• Lead Adult Care Worker (Level 3).
• Lead Practitioner in Adult Care (Level 4).
• Healthcare Support Worker (Level 2).
• Senior Healthcare Support Worker (Level 3).

Teaching

• Early Years Educator (Level 3).
• Teaching Assistant (Level 3).

Construction and protective services

• Carpentry and Joinery (Level 2).
• Property Maintenance Operative (Level 2).
• Wood Product Manufacturing Operative (Level 2).
• Advanced Carpentry and Joinery (Level 3).

Customer service and administration

• Customer Service Practitioner (Level 2).
• Customer Service Specialist (Level 3).
• Business Administrator (Level 3).
• Team Leader/Supervisor (Level 3).
• Associate Project Manager (Level 4).
• School Business Professional (Level 4).
• Operations or Departmental Manger (Level 5).

Applying for an apprenticeship

Visit our apprenticeship vacancies page for the latest apprenticeship vacancies.

You can apply for an apprenticeship vacancy by following the links in each vacancy.

Apprenticeship vacancies.

Progression maps

An overview of the qualification and progression routes of the apprenticeships.

Complaints

If you need to make a complaint about your apprenticeship, the procedure is in the document below.

This procedure applies to:

• all apprentices
• all employers working with Learning & Skills

Apprenticeships complaints procedure [pdf document].

Contact Us.