Apprenticeships are a great way to gain hands-on experience while studying towards an industry-recognised qualification and earning a wage. They're available across a range of sectors, from accounting, business and law, to construction, engineering and transport.
On an apprenticeship you're employed to do a real job while studying for a qualification - usually for one day a week. By the end of your apprenticeship, you'll have gained the skills and knowledge needed to either succeed in your chosen career or progress to the next apprenticeship level.
What you'll learn depends on the role you're training for. However, apprentices in every role follow an approved study programme, which means you'll gain a nationally-recognised qualification at the end of your apprenticeship.
Qualifications can include:
- Functional skills - GCSE-level qualifications in English, maths and IT.
- National Vocational Qualifications (NVQs) - from Level 2 (comparable to five GCSEs) up to Level 7 (similar to a postgraduate degree).
- Technical certificates - such as BTEC, City and Guild Progression Award etc.
- Academic qualifications - including a Higher National Certificate (HNC), Higher National Diploma (HND), foundation degree or the equivalent of a full Bachelors degree.
There are four different levels of apprenticeship:
- Intermediate - equivalent to five good GCSE passes.
- Advanced - equivalent to two A-level passes.
- Higher - equivalent to the first stages of higher education, such as a foundation degree.
- Degree - comparable to a Bachelors or Masters degree. Find out more at degree apprenticeships.