Studying for an apprenticeship means you can achieve a high quality, recognised skills, knowledge and behaviours in your job role, at the same time as earning yourself a wage and getting on-the-job experience.
What is an Apprenticeship?
An Apprenticeship is a job with an accompanying skills development standard designed by employers in the sector. (Trailblazer Steering Group)
It allows the apprentice to gain technical knowledge and job ready experience, along with functional and personal skills, required for their immediate job and future career. These are based on the knowledge, skills and behaviours (KSB), needed to perform the job role.
These KSBs are acquired and developed through a blend of learning in the workplace, 20% off the job training and the opportunity to practice and embed new skills in the job role.
An apprenticeship combines on site experience with off the job training to provide the right balance of training and real life experience.
Plus a whopping 81% of our apprentices stay in employment after qualifying, 74% of these with the same employer they trained with.
Apprenticeships are designed for learners aged 16 and over (conditions apply) and are made up of:
- a sector specific standard or framework (e.g. hairdressing, beauty therapy)
- functional skills in Maths and English (mandatory for those who have not achieved a grade 4 or ‘C’ at GCSE)
- 20% off the job training
- end point assessment (EPA)
Who can apply to be an apprentice?
You can apply for an apprenticeship if you are:
- 16 or over
- living in England
- not in full-time education
- employed
As an apprentice you:
- work alongside experienced staff
- earn a wage and get holiday pay
- study towards an apprenticeship standard giving skills knowledge and behaviours for
- the related role
- should work for at least 30 hours per week (20% of which is designated to off the job
- training)
All apprenticeships last for at least twelve months and you can expect a minimum working week of 30+ hours, with a minimum wage of £4.81 per hour. Apprentices are entitled to the apprentice minimum wage but as you progress through your qualification your wage is likely to increase.
Once you’ve achieved your apprenticeship there’s also the opportunity to progress to higher level apprenticeships to learn new skills, knowledge and behaviours and further develop the skills and experience you’ve already gained
