Apprenticeships are an increasingly popular vocational study option that combines on-the-job learning with gaining a professional qualification and earning a wage. They’re available at all ages and stages of your career – whether you’re leaving school or progressing in your chosen industry – and you can gain qualifications all the way up to degree-level.

When you study for an apprenticeship, you spend 80% of your time completing the normal duties of your job, and 20% of your time studying (often online, but sometimes in a college, university or training centre). You’re required to complete a range of modules related to your course or ‘standard’ that reflect the duties of your day-to-day work. You’ll usually have an exam to test what you’ve learnt, some coursework (often called an EPA or ‘End Point Assessment’) and sometimes a project or presentation too.

Apprenticeships have been around for centuries and they are available for thousands of different jobs in a range of industries – from accountancy to construction, IT to engineering, beauty to childcare.

There are 4 main types/levels of apprenticeship:
  • Level 2 – Intermediate: these are ideal for those who have either 2 GCSEs at grades 9-4 (A* to C), a traineeship or recent work experience and typically take 12-18 months to complete.
  • Level 3 – Advanced: these are a great option if you’ve just completed your GCSEs and been awarded 5 GCSEs at grades 9-4 (A* to C). They’re equivalent to two A-Levels and usually take 2 years to complete.
  • Level 4 or 5 – Higher: these are designed for school leavers aged 18+ and focus on developing management-based skills or practical skills required to work in a particular field. They’re equivalent to a foundation degree, HND or HNC and can last 3-4 years.
  • Level 5+ – Degree: this gives you the opportunity to gain a paid-for undergraduate or master’s degree whilst getting industry experience and earning a salary. They take three to six years to complete and are an increasingly popular alternative to going to university.
Because apprenticeships are offered by employers directly, you apply for them in the same way as you apply for a job (as opposed to a college or university course). This means there is no set enrolment date, they are available all year round based on when employers need to hire new recruits. There are certain times of year when there are more apprenticeships available however, such as National Apprenticeships Week which takes place in February each year. Many large employers also choose to promote their schemes in line with the end of the academic year to start in September, particularly for higher and degree apprenticeships.

You can search for apprenticeship jobs using websites like: Find out more about Apprenticeships using our range of articles below.
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