Apprenticeship facts
All you need to know about Apprenticeships
What
are Apprenticeships?
Apprentices
are paid employees who earn a wage and work alongside experienced staff to gain
job specific skills, while training to work towards qualifications.
Who
are Apprenticeships for?
Anyone
can become an apprentice. Apprenticeships are open to anyone over the age of 16
years old whether you are just leaving school, have been working for years or
are seeking to start a new career.
How
many people are currently on apprenticeships?
230,000
people started apprenticeships in 2009.
What
sort of qualifications are required?
In
most cases there are no fixed entry requirements to starting an Apprenticeship
although some more technical courses may require GCSE at grade A*-C in Maths,
English and Science. The usual entry requirement for an Advanced Apprenticeship
is 5 GCSE passes at grades A*-C including Maths and English.
Do
Apprenticeships lead to a job?
In
most cases an Apprenticeship is funded by an employer meaning the apprentice
should have a guaranteed job when qualified.
How
long do Apprenticeships last?
The
usual duration is one to two years although some can last up to five years.
How
many different Apprenticeships are there?
There
are more than 180 Apprenticeships available across over 80 industry sectors.
Do
Apprentices get paid?
All
employed apprentices must receive a minimum of £95 a week although research
shows that average earnings for apprentices are actually £170 per week.
Do
I have to pay anything to become an Apprentice?
No.
While you are on an Apprenticeship your employer pays you a salary and supports
you whilst you undertake your training.
Can a university graduate
become an Apprentice?
Yes,
you can do an Apprenticeship but you will not be eligible for funding. That
means your employer would have to pay your training costs.
