What are Apprenticeships?
Apprenticeships are an excellent way of gaining qualifications and workplace experience. As an employee, you can earn as you learn and you gain practical skills from the workplace.
Who are they for?
There may be different entry requirements for Apprenticeships depending on the job you want to do.
Apprenticeships are open to all age groups above 16years-old whether you are just leaving school, have been working for years or are seeking to start a new career.
You need to be employed to do an Apprenticeship and competition for places with employers can be fierce so you will need to show that you are committed to your employer and the qualification.
You also need to be happy to work as both part of a team and individually, and be able to use your own initiative.
Apprenticeship Guide 2011-12
What do I get out of it?
Earning money while you learn
- The new National Minimum Wage (NMW) came into force on 1 October 2010 where all apprentices will be paid a minimum of £2.50 per hour*. However, as skills develop, many employers tend to increase wages - in fact, research has found that apprentices earn an average of £170 net pay per week
A nationally recognised qualification with on the job experience. All Apprenticeships include;
- An appropriate work-based qualification such as a National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) at either Level 2 or Level 3;
- Key Skills qualifications, e.g. working in teams, problem-solving, communication and using new technology;
- A technical qualification such as a BTEC or City & Guilds (relevant to the specific Apprenticeship);
- Other qualifications or requirements as specified by the particular occupation.
How can I get started?
If you are already employed and want to do an Apprenticeship with that employer we will talk to you and arrange to come and talk to your employer about Apprenticeships.
If you don't yet have a job then we will talk to you about all the ways that we can help you to improve your skills and find a job.
