Become an apprentice

Welcome to our apprenticeship pages, where you can find everything you need to know about becoming an apprentice.

What is an apprenticeship?

Welcome to our apprenticeship pages, where you can find everything you need to know about becoming an apprentice.

Apprenticeship combines practical training in a job with study. As an apprentice you will:

  • Work with experienced staff who will mentor you in your role
  • Gain job-specific knowledge, skills and experience
  • Earn a wage and get holiday pay as any other member of staff, having the same rights and responsibilities
  • Get assigned a tutor that will work with your employer to plan and support you during your apprenticeship programme
  • Get time for off the job learning related to your role

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

You can start an apprenticeship via two different routes:

  • You are already in employment and you / your employer is looking to upskill you in your workplace to support your progression in your role
  • You are currently unemployed or looking for a change in employment and looking for an apprenticeship opportunity, a job that combines an apprenticeship training programme as part of the terms of employment.

Do you get paid?

You 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.

The current minimum wage rate for an apprentice is £7.55 per hour. This rate applies if the apprentice is under 19, or if they are aged 19 or over and are in their first year. Apprentices must be paid the national minimum wage for their age if they are an apprentice aged 19 or over and have completed your first year.

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

  • 21 and over – £12.21
  • 18 to 20 – £10.00
  • Under 18 – £7.55
  • Apprentice – £7.55

Please note that these pay rates are minimums only. Most employers will often set their salaries at higher rates, depending on company policy, the sector and the role, to make their apprenticeship opportunities competitive.

For existing staff who want to upskill through an apprenticeship programme, your terms and conditions (including wages) will not be adversely affected.

How long do apprenticeships last?

Your apprenticeship can take between one and five years to complete, depending on:

  • Which apprenticeship you choose relevant to your job role
  • What level the apprenticeship is at
  • 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:

  • Hold a permanent contract of employment before starting your apprenticeship
  • Not be in any other form of education or study
  • Have a National Insurance number.

Entry requirements

There are often no formal entry requirements to enrol on 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 entrant 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 role being matched to the apprenticeship you are looking to start, e.g. your apprenticeship must be linked to the job role you are continuing to work in.

What occupation can you start an apprenticeship in?

What occupation can you start an apprenticeship in? Apprenticeships are based on occupations recognised by employers. They are in:

  • Agriculture, environmental and animal
  • Business and administration
  • Construction
  • Care services
  • Creative and design
  • Digital
  • Education and childcare
  • Engineering and manufacturing
  • Health and science
  • Legal finance and accounting
  • Protective services
  • Sales marketing and procurement
  • Transport and logistics.

What does an apprenticeship include?

The content of an apprenticeship varies hugely because it is specific to the sector and job. However, the structure of an apprenticeship is generally the same. The structure and content of the apprenticeship is called a standard.

Apprenticeship standards are written by employer-led groups and include specific knowledge skills and behaviours needed to become competent for a specific occupation. Each apprenticeship standard includes:

  • Knowledge - the theory behind the practical application of the occupation. Having knowledge of how to do something does not necessarily mean that you can do it, even if you understand the steps and what should happen
  • Skills - the practical application of knowledge to successfully undertake the duties that make up the occupation. They have to be learnt through on and/or off-the-job training or experience
  • Behaviours - mindsets, attitudes or approaches for competence, generally across the entire occupation
  • An accredited qualification – some, but not all apprenticeships require you to achieve an accredited qualification as part of your overall achievement of the apprenticeship, e.g. a certificate, diploma or other certificated course
  • Functionals skills - all apprenticeships require you to achieve functional skills in maths and English up to level 2. You may be exempt from this component of the apprenticeship if you can show certificates that match the exemption criteria (e.g. GCSE Grade 4-9, A-C or equivalent)
  • End point assessment - all apprenticeship standards require you to achieve a final grade through end point assessment. It is a synoptic assessment of the skills, behaviours and knowledge that have been learnt throughout the apprenticeship. You can take it once all other components (above) have been achieved and after the minimum length of stay required for your programme, no less than 372 days.

What can you achieve with an apprenticeship?

Many intermediate, advanced and higher apprenticeships will also give you the opportunity to get qualifications such as diplomas in areas relevant to your field of work as well as the apprenticeship standard itself. All apprenticeships require you to achieve (if you are not exempt) functional skills in English and maths. You can see exactly what the requirements of your apprenticeship are on the Institute of Apprenticeship and Technical Education website or speak to your training provider.

Can you still go to university?

Choosing an apprenticeship route doesn’t mean you can’t progress to university later in life. Some apprenticeships can provide a progression route on to a degree programme. Degree level apprenticeships are also set to become increasingly common.

Finding an apprenticeship

There are hundreds of different apprenticeships to choose from all over the country, with 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.