Apprenticeships are a way of combining working with studying about a job. In most cases a student would work in a firm doing a particular job, but also go to college to study the subject as well. Over a period of between one and three years apprenticeships allow you to combine earning and learning – as you would finish with an NVQ (or in some cases a BTEC).
What can I do an apprenticeship in?
There’s a stereotype that apprenticeships are only available in manual trades like builders or hairdressers, but you can actually find apprenticeships in almost every career – from marketing to floristry, games testers to engineers. For more information about the types of apprenticeships on offer and learn more about the different careers, see our apprenticeship areas.
What do apprentices get paid?
From August 2009 all apprentices will be paid at least £90 a week, but an earnings survey showed that it was often a lot more, with an average salary of £170 per week. Some workers in the electro-technical sector got paid up to £210 per week. You also get at least 20 days holiday a year along with bank holidays. The benefit of getting the training is obvious – over a career apprentices will earn over £100,000 more than those without training.
How do you get an Apprenticeship?
A whole range of employers work with local training providers to establish apprenticeships. You’ll find them advertised at your local college but also on the web on our apprenticeship vacancies pages and the Government’s apprenticeship website. You can also find apprenticeship programmes all over the UK – in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland too.
Don’t forget that many apprenticeships are in big demand so don’t just assume that you’ll definitely get the placement you’re after. In many cases you’ll need to apply for the job, as you would with any other role, which means you might have to do an application form and an interview. Currently, the biggest demand is for apprenticeships in engineering, business administration and construction.
What are apprenticeships good for?
Apprenticeships allow you to build your skills, while earning a good wage and getting a qualification. They also build your employment skills as you will be working in a company all through your apprenticeship. This means that if you can make a good impression on your employer it can possibly lead to a full-time job after you complete your course. Alternatively, if you find you enjoy studying, you can carry on taking more qualifications and even progress your training to a degree.
Where can I find out more?
Have a look through our guides on the different types of apprenticeships available, search our apprenticeship vacancies and the Gov’t apprenticeships website for more information. You can also get advice about your options from www.connexions-direct.com
Apprentices in numbers…
- 89% of apprentices would recommend an apprenticeship to other people in similar circumstances to themselves
- Over 9 out of 10 apprentices are in work or education on completing their apprenticeship
- More than three-quarters of apprentices say that without their apprenticeship they wouldn’t be earning their current salary
Case study
David Gough, 19, Senior Investments Officer, Metropolitan Police
I had been interested in finance since I was at secondary school and the AAT accounting qualification seemed exactly what I was looking for. I wanted to study accountancy, work for a big organisation and begin to live and earn money independently.
I started on the Metropolitan Police AAT apprenticeship scheme at the age of sixteen. I have now qualified with the AAT and am working as a Senior Investments Officer. This means I invest any extra funds that the Met has securely in the money markets and also try and achieve the highest return. It is extremely exciting to be working with large amounts of money and seeing how much you’ve made for the organisation each day.
In addition, I recently bought my own flat in London and am enjoying living independently – although I still pop home for the occasional cooked meal! I feel like I’ve achieved a lot for someone of my age and don’t regret my decision at all. The AAT has given me so much self-confidence and belief that even though I didn’t go to college or university, I feel I can still achieve my aspiration of working in the City as a stockbroker.
