What is an apprenticeship?
What age can an apprentice be?
How do apprenticeships work?
How much do I get paid?
Do I have to find a job first?
How long does it take?
What qualifications do I need?
Can I still do an apprenticeship if I have already completed another further education course?
What can I do to find a job?
An apprenticeship is a work-based training programme aimed primarily at young people at the start of their career. Apprenticeships give young people the chance to ‘earn and learn’, to find work in their chosen industry and learn the skills they need through a combination of work-based and off-the-job training.
Most apprentices are employed, and would be paid at least the national minimum wage.
Arrangements vary to suit different circumstances, but normally apprentices will work full-time and attend block release training for a week at a time, or perhaps one day a week. Apprentices would be visited in the workplace every two to three months by an assessor and asked to gather evidence towards their NVQ between visits.
Apprenticeship frameworks include the following qualifications:
- An appropriate National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) at either Level 2 or Level 3
- Key/Essential Skills qualifications, e.g. communication, working with numbers and using information technology
- A technical certificate such as a BTEC or City & Guilds qualification (included in most cases).
- Any Additional Employer Requirements
You can start an apprenticeship if you are between the ages of 16 and 24 years.
Your employer pays your wages and gives you on-the-job training. This enables you to achieve National Vocational Qualifications (NVQs). You will gain key/essential skills that will be useful in the job market, like communication, working with numbers and using information technology. And also, in most cases, study for a technical certificate, which will give you further knowledge and understanding of your job. The amount of time you'll spend studying varies, depending on your chosen profession.
When you join Training for Success as an apprentice you will be in paid employment from day one. How much you are paid will be agreed with your employer before you start.
Doing an apprenticeship means you would normally need to find a job in that field before you begin learning. There are two ways to apply for an apprenticeship. You can approach an employer who takes on apprentices and see if they are willing to give you a job, or contact Training for Success on 028 9044 1873 and they’ll arrange an appointment for you with a Careers Adviser. You’ll then receive information about local opportunities.
The selection process is just like any other job application process. You could be put through interviews and even asked to take tests to see if you're the right person. This process can be carried out by both the learning provider and employer, so you need to be prepared to sell yourself and convince others that an apprenticeship is for you. After all, there's no such thing as an automatic place. Employers can refuse to take you on if they don't think you're right for the job.
There is no set time to complete an apprenticeship as they vary widely in content and size. The length of time taken will depend on the ability of the individual apprentice and the employer's requirements. An apprenticeship will usually take anything from 12 to 36 months.
The apprenticeship framework requirements for your chosen apprenticeship will determine whether there are any entry requirements.
You should call Training for Success on 028 9044 1873 to check your eligibility for funding.Or you could visit your local Jobcentre/Jobs and Benefit Office, or call 02890 441 921.
Try all the usual ways, such as local papers, trade magazines, Jobcentres, Connexions, yellow pages and websites. While you are looking for a job, take any opportunity you can to get some work experience with local organisations. This can sometimes lead to something more permanent, and will help you to find out more about your chosen field. This is especially important in areas such as environmental conservation, where voluntary work is considered a vital sign of commitment. Click here for a list of some of the websites and publications advertising vacancies in the environmental and land-based sector.
