Become an apprentice

Welcome to our apprenticeship pages, where you'll find everything, you need to know about starting your journey as an apprentice.

What is an apprenticeship?

An apprenticeship is a paid job that combines practical training in a job with study. As an apprentice you will:

  • Work with experienced staff who will mentor you.
  • Gain job-specific knowledge, skills and experience.
  • Earn a wage and recieve holiday pay, with the same rights and responsibilities as other emmployees.
  • Have your apprenticeship training funded by your employer, through the skills and growth levy.
  • Be supported by a tutor who works with your employer to guide your progress.
  • Spend time on off-the-job learning that's directly related to your role.

If you are aged 16 years or over, you can become an apprentice as long as you live in England for at least half of your working hours during the apprenticeship and are not in full-time education.

You can start an apprenticeship via two different routes:

  • If you're already employed, you and your employer can use an apprenticeship to upskill and support your progression in your role.
  • If you're unemployed or looking for a new opportunity, you can apply for a job that includes apprenticeship training as part of the employment terms. This means you'll be hired as an apprentice and trained while you work.

Do you get paid?

  • You can earn a salary right from day one of your employment and training. The salary will vary depending on the role and experience required for the role.
  • Many employers choose to offer apprenticeship salaries above the minimum wage, depending on their company policy, the sector, and the specific role. This helps make their opportunities more attractive and competitive to potential applicants.
  • The current minimum wage rate for an apprentice is £7.55 per hour. This rate applies if you are under 19, or aged 19 or over and in the first year of your apprenticeship. If you are aged 19 or over and have completed the first year, you must be paid at least the National Minimum Wage or National Living Wage for your age group.

The current National Living Wage and the National Minimum Wage rates are:

Category Hourly Rate
21 and over £12.21
18 to 20 £10.00
Under 18 £7.55
Apprentice £7.55

For existing staff who want to upskill through an apprenticeship programme, your terms and conditions (including wages) are not usually affected. You will continue to recieve your agreed pay and benefits while completing your apprenticeship.

How long do apprenticeships last?

Your apprenticeship can take between 8 months and up to 6 years to complete, depending on:

  • Which apprenticeship you choose relevant to your job role?
  • What level the apprenticeship is a?t
  • Your previous experience relevant to the apprenticeship you are looking to enrol onto.
  • The number of hours you are working per week (less than 30 hours per week will extend the duration of your apprenticeship pro-rata).

Levels of apprenticeship

Apprenticeships have the following equivalent educational levels:

Name Level Equivalent educational level
Intermediate 2 GCSE
Advanced 3 A level
Higher 4, 5, 6 and 7 Foundation degree and above
Degree 6 and 7 Bachelor’s or master’s degree

Some apprenticeships may also give you an additional qualification, such as a certificate or diploma. All apprenticeships include functional skills in English and maths (unless you are exempt and have GCSE grade 4-9, A-C or equivalent).

Entry and eligibility requirements

Eligibility

Apprenticeships are funded through the government and have eligibility requirements. You must:

  • Be aged 16 or over.
  • Live in the UK and have lived her for the last 3 years.
  • Have the right to work in England.
  • Not be in any other form of education or study.
  • Have a National Insurance number.
  • Hold a contract of employment before starting your apprenticeship (this can be permanent or fixed term).

Entry requirements

There are often no formal entry requirements to enrol to apprenticeship programmes. However, apprenticeships, like other jobs, have minimum standards that a candidate must meet to be considered for the role, depending on the employer, but it may include:

  • A specified level of English and maths either previously achieved or a new assessment as part of the recruitment.
  • Other qualifications relevant to the job role.
  • Previous experience if the role is not a new entry level position.

Entry requirements if you are already in work

The entry requirements will be based on the requirements of the apprenticeship you are looking to start and may include:

  • A required level of English and maths either previously achieved or an assessment.
  • An assessment to identify your individual needs and ensure that you will gain new knowledge and skills as part of the apprenticeship.
  • Your current role being matched to the apprenticeship you want to star, though the training must be relevant to your work.

What does an apprenticeship include?

Apprenticeships vary depending on the job and industry, but they all follow a structure called an apprenticeship standard. This standard is created by employers and outlines what you need to learn to do the job well.

You'll learn:

  • Knowledge - This theory and background information about your job. This helps you understand how things work before you can try them out.
  • Skills - The practical things you'll learn to do through training and experience, both at work and sometimes in a classroom.
  • Behaviours - The attitudes and ways of working that help you do the job properly, like being professional, reliable, and working well with others.

Some apprenticeships also include a qualification, such as a certificate or diploma, which proves you've achieved specific learning outcomes.

You'll need basic maths and English skills, usually at Level 2, which is equivalent to GCSE grades 4-9 (or A-C). If you already have these GCSEs, you won't need to study them again. If not, you'll be supported to work toward these qualifications during your apprenticeship.

If you’re aged 19 or over, passing maths and English is no longer a mandatory requirement to finish your apprenticeship. Instead, your employer and training provider will decide whether these qualifications are needed for your role. If they agree it’s beneficial, you’ll still be able to study and take the assessments as part of your training.

At the end of your apprenticeship, you’ll take an End Point Assessment (EPA). This is a final test to show you’ve learned everything you need for your role. You can only take it once you’ve completed all parts of your apprenticeship and have been on the programme for at least eight months.

Can you still go to university?

Choosing an apprenticeship route doesn’t mean you can’t progress to university later in life. Many apprenticeships offer a clear pathway to higher education, including foundation degrees, higher apprenticeships, and full degree programmes.

Finding an apprenticeship

There are hundreds of apprenticeships available across the UK, offered by employers large and small in a wide range of industries and organisations. You could be at the start of your career, looking for an opportunity, or in employment and wanting to develop your skills in your current workplace.

Why not search and apply for apprenticeship vacancies on our website? You can also get in touch with our dedicated apprenticeships team on apprenticeships@ealing.gov.uk or 020 8825 6234 and we will be happy to help you find the right role for you.