How to apply: getting started
Where to start when applying for an apprenticeship.
Am I eligible for an apprenticeship?
There are no set entry requirements for apprenticeships, although some Sector Skills Councils ask for certain qualifications (check with yours before you apply). You just need to be living in Britain and not taking part in full-time education.
How can I apply?
There are two ways to apply for an apprenticeship. You can contact an employer who takes on apprentices (a lot of big companies list schemes on their website) and communicate with them directly.
You can also apply through the Learning and Skills Council. They’ll put you in touch with a training provider who will then try to match you with an employer. It’s a longer way of doing things, but you do get a helping hand.
What happens next?
Applying for an apprenticeship is just like applying for a job – you’ll send in an application form or CV and, if your prospective employer likes the sound of you, you’ll be asked in for an interview.
How long does an apprenticeship take?
There isn’t really a set time limit for apprenticeships – you work at your own pace to cover whatever you have to learn.
They usually last between one and two years, but this varies depending on the apprenticeship you’re taking. You could be done in as little as six months, but it could take up to five years.
How do apprenticeships work?
Your employer pays your wages and gives you on-the-job training which allows you to achieve National Vocational Qualifications (NVQs). You’ll also spend time off-the-job with a learning provider (usually a college) to gain skills that will help you get a job: how to work as part of a team; how to use computers; and how to make a decent cup of tea (OK, maybe not the last one).
You’ll also study for a technical certificate, which aims to teach you about the industry you’ll be working in.
What qualifications do I get?
You’ll get some qualifications that will come in very handy when you’re job-hunting: a National Vocational Qualification (NVQ), which recognises the practical work you’ve done; a technical certificate, which will be named after the awarding body; and Key Skills qualifications, which will show that your reading, writing, numeracy and IT skills are up-to-speed.
How much do I get paid?
There’s not a set wage, but you’re guaranteed to be paid at least £80 a week. You’ll be paid directly by your employer (exactly like a normal job) but they’ll also train you at the same time.
Some apprenticeships work on an ‘unemployed’ basis. This means you won’t be paid as if you had a regular salary, but there are usually sources of funding to help you along the way.
Contact the Learning and Skills Council for more details if this is the case.
What sort of person is accepted on an Apprenticeship?
We’re not going to lie: apprenticeships are hard work and they’re not for everyone. If the idea of work brings you out in a rash, you might want to steer clear (and start playing the Lottery). Apprentices need to be serious and committed.
If you’re not sure about which apprenticeship to choose, think about doing some work experience in an industry that interests you before committing yourself. It’ll give you a better idea of what you’re letting yourself in for.
All text is reproduced courtesy of Barker Brooks Media, publishers behind The Apprenticeship Guide. For more information, please contact the editor:
Email: kirsty@apprenticeshipguide.co.uk