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 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.