Apprenticeships help you earn while you learn and acquire all the training and skills you need to pursue your career.
The government website advertises apprenticeships available across the UK. Search by occupation and postcode
Who are apprenticeships for?
You can start an Apprenticeship from the age of 16 and there is no upper age limit. If you’re looking for your first job, already in a job and want to gain professional qualifications, thinking about re-training into a different career, or returning to work, an apprenticeship can help you to develop important skills while gaining valuable work experience.
What types of apprenticeship are there?
Intermediate (Level 2) – this is equivalent to 5 GCSEs
Advanced (Level 3) – this is equivalent to 2 A Levels
Higher (Level 4 or 5) – this is equivalent to a BTEC, HND or Foundation Degree
Degree (Level 6 or 7) – this is equivalent to a Bachelor’s or Master’s
Why Apprenticeships?
You get paid – apprentices earn a wage (a minimum of £5.28 per hour) and are also entitled to paid holiday
On the job training – at least 20% of your working hours must be spent on training. This is a great way to learn if you’re not keen on classrooms or lectures
Nationally recognised qualifications – you’ll get a real qualification that’s recognised by employers, which could be from Level 2 all the way to a Master’s Degree.
Real experience – kickstart your career by getting experience as well as a qualification
No debt – all apprenticeship training costs at all levels are covered by your employer, meaning you can even get a degree without any student debt
No upper age limit – you can do an apprenticeship at any age after you turn 16, meaning you can keep learning and developing even as you progress in your career
How much will I get paid?
The current National Minimum Wage rate for an apprentice is £5.28 per hour, although lots of employers will pay more. Lots of websites have different estimates for the average apprenticeship salary, anything from £12,000 to £30,000 per year depending on the level and employer, but you can always expect a minimum of £5.28 per hour. Everyone’s financial situation is different, and you can use an independent benefits calculator to see how an apprenticeship wage might impact any benefits you receive.
Degree apprenticeships provide an opportunity to gain a full bachelor’s degree (Level 6) or master’s degree (Level 7) but without tuition fees.
Designed in partnership with employers, part-time study takes place at a university or college, with the rest of your time being with your employer.
Degree Apprenticeships take between three and six years to complete depending on what level apprenticeship you are doing.
Degree apprenticeships are still quite a new scheme, so there are a limited number of vacancies. However, it is expected that the number of vacancies will increase over the next few years.
What are the benefits of degree apprenticeships?
Degree Apprentices are employed and paid a wage throughout the course.
Degree Apprentices gain a full degree — bachelor’s or master’s — without needing to pay student fees.
Degree Apprentices will have relevant work experience in their chosen career.
Training costs are co-funded by the government and the employer.
How are Degree Apprenticeships different to sandwich degrees and work placements?
Degree apprenticeships are similar to sandwich degrees (spending a year in industry) and work placements but there are some important differences:
Degree Apprentices are employed throughout their apprenticeship and do paid work from the moment they start.
Degree Apprentices are more likely to stay with their employer after completing their apprenticeship (Retention rates for apprentices can exceed 80%).
Employers are involved in developing new degrees so will have more influence over their apprentice’s degree and training programme.
The Solent Apprenticeship Hub is an ESF funded partnership supported by Southampton City Council, Portsmouth City Council, Hampshire County Council, Isle of Wight Council, Solent Local Enterprise Partnership, Portsmouth University, Solent University.
The Solent Apprenticeship Hub is the essential resource for employers wishing to find out how apprenticeships can benefit their organisation and where to find advice and guidance. The Solent Apprenticeship Hub offers independent and impartial advice around apprenticeships and how they can support your business needs and goals. We will learn about your business and try to recommend ways to save money and improve your bottom line.
Employing apprentices can help fill your skills gap, deliver real returns to your bottom line, increase the proportion of trained workers in industry and boost productivity.
To find out more about the benefits apprenticeships can bring to your organisation, about the apprenticeship levy and how to take on an Apprentice, please visit: www.gov.uk/take-on-an-apprentice
The Apprenticeship Levy
Apprenticeship Levy is an amount paid at a rate of 0.5% of an employer’s annual pay bill. As an employer, you have to pay Apprenticeship Levy each month if you:
have an annual pay bill of more than £3 million
are connected to any companies or charities for Employment Allowance purposes and have a combined annual pay bill of more than £3 million
