What is an apprenticeship and how could I get one? FAQs answered

In general, an apprenticeship is a paid role that combines hands-on work experience with off-the-job training. You'll usually do four days (or 80% of your time) at work and take one day a week (20%) to study. And you’ll earn while you learn.

In Scotland, there’s one exception: Foundation Apprenticeships are unpaid and designed to be done whilst you’re still at school, instead of after you leave. Most other apprenticeships start from the age of 16.

Exact opportunities differ depending on where you live, but there are hundreds of apprenticeships you can do, at different levels in a variety of job areas, including construction, catering, health, education, science, civil engineering and digital technology.

You can find and apply for apprenticeships through the government websites and apprenticeship search engines, or through an employer or training provider, in England, Wales and Scotland.

The training or learning provider is the college, university or third sector organisation that provides the learning part of your apprenticeship.

In Northern Ireland, you’ll need to either already be in a job or look for a job or employer first and contact them to see if they’ll employ you on an apprenticeship. You can look on JobApplyNI, via recruitment sites, training providers or by contacting employers directly.

Application processes vary but may involve you completing an application form, submitting a CV and a cover letter and attending an interview.

For apprenticeships in Northern Ireland, you normally apply for the job or liaise via your employer first, and apply for your training yourself via a college or training contractor. Check out the NI government website for full details on what you need to do.

That will depend on what and where you wish to work and study, and what existing relationship your apprenticeship employer has with colleges.

One way to try and ensure your choice of college is to look for opportunities via your preferred college’s website.

The entry requirements will vary depending on where you live and what level of apprenticeship you want to do, but there are usually options whether you have very few qualifications or a degree.

In England, some apprenticeships require English and Maths, but may offer extra training to bring you up to the level you need. In most UK nations, your existing work experience will also be considered. You can apply for an apprenticeship if you already have a degree, but some UK nations will prefer you to study a different subject to your existing degree.

Whilst each apprenticeship may vary slightly, this table gives a rough guide to the entry requirements:

Here’s a full breakdown of the qualifications you can get in your country:

An apprenticeship lasts at least a year but it’ll depend on what level of apprenticeship you’re doing and what previous experience you have.

For example, a Degree Apprenticeship in England (Level 6 or 7) will take longer than an Intermediate (Level 2) or Advanced (Level 3) Apprenticeship.In general though, across the UK, apprenticeships last as follows:

• England: between one and six years
• Wales: between one and four years
• Scotland: between one and five years
• Northern Ireland: up to two years for Level 2 or 3, and a minimum of two years for Higher Level Apprenticeships.

If you’re aged 16 to 19 and in the first year of your apprenticeship, you’ll be entitled to at least the National Minimum Wage (apart from on a Foundation Apprenticeship in Scotland, which is unpaid).

If you’re 19 or over and you’ve completed your first year, you’ll be entitled to either the National Minimum Wage or the National Living Wage for your age.

Some employers choose to pay more than the minimum wage. When you get an apprenticeship, your pay will also be displayed in your employment contract.

You can also check salary information when you’re searching apprenticeship listings.

You can find full details about apprenticeship pay rates on gov.uk.

Apprenticeships offer you qualifications at an equivalent level to if you went to college or uni, depending on what level of apprenticeship you take.

You’ll also get work experience and meet employers and colleagues in the industry you’re working in, alongside other workplace skills like IT, communication and time management skills. Career progression after an apprenticeship can include things like:

• moving into a full-time job
• doing another apprenticeship at a higher level
• going on to uni or other higher education.

Unlike some other forms of training in the UK, you’ll be paid whilst doing an apprenticeship (apart from on a Foundation Apprenticeship in Scotland, which is unpaid).

Apprenticeships tend to have a fixed duration and last longer than other work-based learning, and they are focused on being in the workplace (80% of your time is spent at work). Employers and training or learning providers are also heavily involved in your apprenticeship, mentoring you as well as applying for the relevant funding.

A Degree Apprenticeship is the highest level of apprenticeship you can take.

In Scotland they’re called Graduate Apprenticeships and in Northern Ireland they’re called Higher Level Apprenticeships. All your tuition fees are paid, you earn a salary and study whilst working and gaining a degree.

In England and Wales, you could get a Level 6 BSc (Bachelor of Science), BA (Bachelor of Arts) or LLB (Bachelor of Law) or a Level 7 master's degree.

In Scotland, you could get an ordinary bachelor degree or a master’s degree. In Northern Ireland, you could get an HLA qualification from Level 4 to Level 7 (master’s degree). The majority are at Level 5 (foundation degree or equivalent).

Have a look through our apprenticeships content on BBC Bitesize Careers. You can also refer to the relevant government apprenticeships website for:

• England
• Wales
• Scotland
• Northern Ireland

Apprenticeships teacher guide 2024

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