Important Information for learners

Are You looking for your ideal career, or looking to upskill in your current role?

With an apprenticeship, you can gain practical experience, essential learning tools and important qualifications that will last you a lifetime.

You can apply to be an apprentice while you’re still at school. To start one you’ll need to be:

Aged 16 or over (there’s no upper age limit)
Living in England
Not in Full Time Education

What is involved?

During your apprenticeship, you’ll be assessed to make sure you’re achieving the knowledge, skills and behaviours needed for your chosen apprenticeship.
Apprenticeships also include an end-point assessment. It’s an assessment at the end of your apprenticeship to make sure you’re fully competent in your specific occupation.
Your end-point assessment, known as an EPA, is carried out by an independent organisation known as an end-point assessment organisation (EPAO). It usually includes a practical demonstration of your skills as well as a discussion with an assessor that demonstrates your learning and your ability to do your chosen occupation.
If you pass the assessment, you’ll receive a certificate, meaning you have completed your apprenticeship successfully. Depending on the apprenticeship you are doing, you may also receive a qualification.

Learner Journey

The first time an Assessor visits they will run through an induction to the qualification and will explain how work is submitted, marked and completed. They will also begin the development of an individual learning plan.

Continuing assessment and learning support will result in the compilation of a portfolio consisting of observations, discussion reports and statements. The Assessor will work with, and guide, the Apprentice through this learning journey.
Along with the Assessor observations, the Apprentice will be required to regularly complete independent online work and submit it for marking.
At any point during the apprenticeship the Apprentice will be able to view their progress and see the percentage of work completed/outstanding.

Throughout the training, each portfolio will be quality checked to ensure consistency of marking. This is necessary to meet the requirements of the qualification awarding body and to keep the standards and quality of training at the highest level.
At the end of the qualification the Apprentice will be issued with a certificate. There will also be the opportunity to discuss possible progression routes and identify any other qualifications that they may benefit from.

Levels of Apprenticeship

**Level 2**
Working towards work-based qualifications such as a Level 2, competence qualification, as well as Functional skills and in most cases a relevant knowledge-based qualification. The qualifications you receive are equivalent to five GCSEs at grades A–C.

**Level 3**
You can expect to gain a work-based qualification such as a Level 3 competence qualification, as well as Functional skills and (in most cases) a relevant knowledge-based qualification. These qualifications are equivalent to two A-levels.

**Levels 4 - 5**
You’ll work towards work-based learning qualifications such as a Level 4 competence qualification and perhaps a learning-based qualification, Functional Skills and, in some cases, a knowledge-based qualification such as a Foundation Degree.

**Levels 6 - 7**
You can even achieve a degree-level qualification through an apprenticeship. Degree Apprenticeships are helping to build the high-level technical skills needed for the jobs of the future. The Government is committed to expanding the number, range and quality of apprenticeships that offer training to degree level.

the benefits

**Earn While You Learn**

People don’t usually get paid to learn something new! But as an apprentice, you’ll learn a new skill and get paid while you learn. While you’re on an apprenticeship, your employer pays you a salary and supports you in your training. You must be paid for your normal working hours (minimum 30 per week) and for the training that’s part of your apprenticeship.
As an apprentice you will receive the same benefits as other employees in the company – this may include pension contributions and subsidised canteen and leisure facilities. You may also be entitled to additional money for essential books, clothing or equipment, or to help you with a disability. You’ll get paid holidays too.

**Skills You Can Use**

Whether you’re in your first role or already established in a company, an apprenticeship can help to improve your skills and knowledge to enable you to progress up the career ladder. With an apprenticeship you can easily move from one career path to another as you’ll learn all the skills you need on the job, as well as gaining a relevant qualification.
Once you have completed an apprenticeship you will have a qualification that will be recognised for its relevant practical experience and training. You will have credentials that will be valued anywhere you go within the appropriate industry and employers will know that you’ve got the skills and training needed to do the job, making them more likely to hire you.

**Great Opportunities**

A nationally recognised qualification will open up opportunities for your future. Taking an apprenticeship doesn’t restrict you to one specific job role & you’ll learn a range of transferable skills whilst doing your training. These range from basic skills like teamwork and health and safety awareness, to more specialised capabilities that will help you progress through your chosen industry.
Employers respect apprenticeships and they think that apprentices are more employable than those with other qualifications. They recognise that apprentices have both the knowledge and practical skills to perform a role.

Recruitment Service

If you need a hand looking for an apprenticeship, we can help with our free recruitment service. Send across a copy of your CV and we’ll review it against any positions we have available.

We will review applications and CVs to confirm each candidate’s eligibility for an apprenticeship, and then all suitable applicants will then be forwarded to employers to review and make the decision on the shortlist to follow up on.

We’ll support you in building your confidence in applying for jobs, give you tips and guidance on your CV and interviews and we’ll be there to support you every step of the way, from the moment you get in touch until you complete your apprenticeship.

Send Us your CV

Latest Vacancies

View our full vacancy list

Advice and Guidance

For more information, advice & guidance, including information for Parents & Carers, please see the official Government website.

The website above can also be used to find apprenticeships as well as linking to hotlines for more advice & guidance.

National Apprenticeship Service (NAS) Helpline

Call the NAS helpline, 08000 150 600 for support using the online vacancy matching service. An advisor will also be able to give you general advice on applications and how to put yourself forward in the best light. The call is free and could lead to your future career.

The Redundancy Support Service for Apprentices

The Redundancy Support Service for Apprentices (ReSSA), launched by the Department for Education, provides clear, accessible advice and guidance to apprentices following redundancy, while supporting their next steps. It will help redundant apprentices to identify new apprenticeship and employment opportunities, and, where they are eligible, complete their current apprenticeship.

This service will enable individuals to access free online information and telephone support, helping to connect them with national and local support services, including financial, legal, health and wellbeing and careers advice. It will also share with apprentices details of new apprenticeship opportunities being offered by employers in their region.

ReSSA is a free service for any apprentice that is funded through the English apprenticeship system and has been made redundant or feels at risk of redundancy.

Apprentices can submit their details via an online registration form or through the Apprenticeship Helpdesk. The service will work with employers to identify new apprenticeship opportunities which redundant apprentices can apply for.

If you’ve been made redundant or think you might be made redundant in the future visit Facing redundancy during your apprenticeship or call 0800 015 0400 to speak to an adviser.

This service is part of the government's support for apprentices and the vital role apprenticeships will play in economic recovery and skills development.