An apprenticeship is the perfect grounding for a range of careers, giving you the chance to combine practical training with study while earning a salary.
If you are 16 and live in England, kickstart your search by visiting the GOV.UK Find an apprenticeship website. Here you will be able to search for an apprenticeship based on your postcode, interests or by company. With more than 8,000 openings around the country, it offers a useful insight into the types of roles available.
Apprenticeship training providers like Further Education (FE) colleges are also a valuable source of support by providing details of apprenticeships local to you. Some colleges like Moulton College are apprenticeship training providers and share details of current apprenticeship vacancies.
Colleges like Moulton College often also have existing relationships with employers in the region, which can open doors to apprenticeships in areas like construction, bakery, arboriculture, animal care and many other sectors.
It is also worth keeping an eye on the websites of local or national companies that you are interested in, as well as big employers like the NHS and major retailers, as many will advertise apprenticeships directly.
What can I expect from an apprenticeship?
An apprenticeship is a paid job with training that runs alongside it. If you are successfully hired by the employer for the position, you will combine working with studying for a recognised qualification, with the training element usually taking up at least 20% of your normal working hours.
Every apprenticeship has a level and an equivalent education level, ranging from Level 2 (the educational equivalent level of GCSE) through to Level 7 (bachelor’s or master’s degree level). You can start an apprenticeship at any level, and there is no maximum age. The only conditions are that you must be 16 or over, live in England, and that you are not in full-time education. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have their own apprenticeship programmes and application routes.
The length of the apprenticeship can vary from eight months to six years, depending on the type and level of the apprenticeship and whether you have relevant experience or qualifications.
The training or studying element of your apprenticeship might take place online, offsite with a training provider or a college such as Moulton College, or at your workplace. At Moulton College, for example, apprentices may attend college one day a week or complete training in blocks, depending on the apprenticeship and employer requirements.
How much will I earn?
Apprentices are entitled to the National Minimum Wage. You are also given time for training or studying, and as you will have a contract of employment, you will also be entitled to employer rights such as holidays. You can find out more on the GOV.UK website here.
What sectors are apprenticeships available in?
Apprenticeships are available in a broad range of industries. These include catering and hospitality, business and administration, and agricultural, environment and animal care. Whatever your interests or aspirations, there is likely to be an apprenticeship in the career area you are passionate about.
How do I know if an apprenticeship is the right route for me?
An apprenticeship can be a great option if you want to get on to the career ladder while continuing to learn. It gives you the chance to earn a salary, gain hands-on experience, build workplace confidence and work towards a recognised qualification.
Apprenticeships are also a good route to developing skills needed in every type of job role, from working as part of a team and time management skills to problem-solving and working to deadlines. These skills are invaluable and transferable, helping you to build your confidence and your career prospects while keeping you flexible, meaning you can pivot into other areas in the future.
Completing an apprenticeship gives you the opportunity to gain job skills and a recognised qualification. Often, they can lead to a permanent role with the same employer or give you the practical foundation you need to move to a role in another company or go onto other types of training or education.
Some colleges, like Moulton College, offer short bootcamp training courses that help you learn the basic skills in the area you are interested in. These will help boost your CV, your confidence and help you decide if the career area you are looking to complete an apprenticeship in is for you.
