Local Offer: A Quick Guide to Apprenticeships - WNC

Apprenticeships

Apprenticeships are real jobs that combine work with training and study. You'll earn a wage, gain skills and have the opportunity to put what you learn into practice.

Types of Apprenticeships:

There are over 600 types of apprenticeships in different areas of work. So no matter what career you’re interested in, there’s likely to be an apprenticeship for you.

Entry Requirements for Apprenticeships:

To start an apprenticeship, you'll need to:

• be 16 or over
• live in England
• not already be in full time education

You can apply for an apprenticeship while you're still at school.

To apply for some apprenticeships, you might need to have certain qualifications, such as GCSE English or maths. If there are any additional entry requirements, they will be listed in the apprenticeship application details.

What You’ll Do as an Apprentice:

As an apprentice you'll:

• earn a wage and get holiday pay
• develop the skills you need for the job
• work on the job for around 80% of your apprenticeship
• get time for study related to your role, either at your place of work, a college, a training provider or online
• be on a career path with lots of future potential

Qualification You’ll Earn:

You’ll also earn a qualification from your apprenticeship.

The 4 different apprenticeship qualifications levels are:

• intermediate: level 2
• advanced: level 3
• higher: level 4 or 5
• degree: level 6 or 7

It takes between 1 and 5 years to complete an apprenticeship, depending on the level. Find out what qualification levels mean on GOV.UK.

Find an Apprenticeship:

• Find an apprenticeship on GOV.UK
• Get My First Job 
• Mencap Training Academy
• Independent Learning Providers  - Ofsted registrations (apprenticeship training provision funded by the Education and Skills Funding Agency and/or the apprenticeship levy).  
• The Apprenticeship Guide 
• Workfit (for people with Downs syndrome) 

After Your Apprenticeship:

Depending on the level you took, when you’ve finished your apprenticeship you could:

• get another job with the same company you did your apprenticeship at
• find a job with a different employer
• do another apprenticeship at a higher level or in a different industry to try something different
• go to university or another type of higher education

More Information:

• Disability Rights UK: Into Apprenticeships - A Guide for Disabled People, 2024 (Link)