There are so many reasons why people choose to follow the apprenticeship route to qualifications and career success, most notably:
It is a job with training. Being an apprentice means that you have a job and the ability to gain recognised qualifications and essential skills whilst you are working and earning a wage.
There are four main types of Apprenticeships:
There are four different types because different jobs need different levels of qualifications, some higher than others.
They would normally last between two and three years. This can depend on the type of apprenticeship and the level of qualification you are working towards.
This depends on the job you are training for. There are over 150 different apprenticeship routes available, and every apprentice follows an approved study programme. That means that you will gain a recognised qualification.
By the end of your apprenticeship you will have the qualifications, skills and experience which match exactly what your employer wants. It also makes you far more employable when you want or need to move on.
Where you train during your apprenticeship will all depend on what you are doing. Your employer will decide how they want you to be trained to do their work, and this could include:
What is certain is that you will have training but how, how often, when and where will be up to your new employer.
To gain an apprenticeship, you need to be aged 16 or over. There is no upper age limit for apprenticeships.
You have to apply for an apprenticeship just like any other job, and your potential new employer needs to know you are committed to being a successful apprentice before they will hire you.
Pay for apprentices can vary from employer to employer, with some offering quite high salaries even for apprenticeship positions. There is a national minimum wage for apprentices which you can read all about HERE.