Earn and Learn
Become an Apprentice
A practical guide to what an apprenticeship entails and where to find one.
It is becoming increasingly difficult to finance educational studies in the current economic climate. The matter has been made even more difficult with increases to higher education tuition fees. This can leave undergraduate students facing a mountain of debt for a three year course, and that is before including other costs such as living expenses, transport, books and equipment. That said, a degree is still a very good investment. With graduates only required to start paying their debts off when they are earning more than a particular threshold, the prospect of going to university is still a possibility for some.
But if money worries are getting you down, fret not. There are still many pathways into employment and education that are available to you. Education or learning, that is the big question, isn’t it? But what if you had the option to choose both? That would be the best possible scenario, wouldn’t it? If you find yourself shouting ‘yes!’ to these questions, then an apprenticeship may be the ideal option for you.
The Open 4 Learning Apprenticeship Guide has been designed to inform you of what to expect from an apprenticeship and the support you will gain from taking one.
So what are the benefits?
Earn while you learn – Apprentices do real work for employers. Thus, they are paid for the work they do. By law, apprentices must be paid the appropriate National Minimum Wage. So rather than racking up a huge debt, you will have a source of income.
Support – Employers understand that you will not have done the work before. They will make sure you get the support and training that fits your personal requirements. They will be there for the highs and lows that you will experience during your apprenticeship.
Education – Apprentices will gain knowledge, skills and qualifications as well as earning money. You will work towards National Vocational Qualifications (NVQ) and many more. All qualifications are nationally recognised by employers, so can be carried forward into future employment.
Variety – Apprenticeships are available in a variety of industries and are offered by most national companies. There are more than 200 different types of apprenticeships available over 1,200 job roles. Apprenticeships on offer can range from large companies, such as British Gas and BMW, to much smaller local companies. All apprenticeships are different and most range from one to four years.
Can I apply?
To take an apprenticeship, you need to be over the age of 16. Entry requirements depend on what you want to do and most are available to all individuals. There are three apprenticeship levels available:
- Intermediate Apprenticeships (equivalent to five GCSE passes).
- Advanced Level Apprenticeships (equivalent to two A-level passes).
- Higher Apprenticeships (leads to qualifications at NVQ level 4, and in some cases a Foundation degree).
What financial support is available?
In this day and age it is difficult to secure the perfect placement. That being: perfect location, perfect area of work and perfect salary. Realistically, you will have to compromise on one or more of these conditions. That is where apprenticeships can look a little expensive on the wage that you will be given, taking into account transport costs, living costs and specialist equipment that may be needed. However, many businesses take this into account and will support you the best they can. There are a few avenues of support on offer:
Government – The Government has invested in apprenticeships with many incentive schemes available for local and national companies who invest in an apprentice. This means there are many opportunities out there to grab with both hands.
Industry – A variety of industrial apprenticeship schemes are available, all paid with support and training packages included.
Charity – Local charities may offer financial support for apprentices in their catchment area.
What next?
The next step is to find more information about the type of apprenticeship you are interested in and see what opportunities are out there. To find out about the differing types of apprenticeship available, there are a number of resources offering advice:
Apprenticeships.org.uk is a site dedicated to providing advice, guidance and information to all individuals who are considering taking an apprenticeship. The site also lists many work opportunities to kick start apprentices’ careers. For more information on the different types of apprenticeship and to register, click here.
GOV.UK provides a comprehensive guide to apprenticeship resources, as well as information on types of apprenticeships and how to make an application.
The Skills Funding Agency provides information, guidance and the latest announcements regarding apprenticeships in the UK. The site allows individuals to keep up-to-date with changes to funding and opportunities.