Types of Apprenticeships
Content provided by directgov.com
An Apprenticeship combines paid work and study to gain qualifications. There are Apprenticeships in many different occupations.
Different types of Apprenticeships are available and the right one for you will depend on your interests, experience and opportunities in your area. All Apprenticeships include the following basic elements:
- a National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) at Level 2 or Level 3
- Key Skills qualifications such as working in teams, problem solving, communication and using new technology
- a Technical Certificate such as BTEC or City & Guilds Progression Award
- other qualifications or requirements as specified by particular occupations
The time to complete an Apprenticeship depends on the ability of the apprentice, the employer’s requirements and the chosen profession, but they usually last between one and two years.
Money and holidays
You’re guaranteed a basic wage or training allowance of at least £40 a week. But you could get more depending on your employer.
You’ll get at least 1.5 days’ paid holiday for every month of your training. On top of that you’ll get bank holidays.
Qualifications
You’ll get a package of qualifications when you finish your Apprenticeship – an NVQ, a Technical Certificate like a BTEC National Diploma or a City & Guilds Progression Award, and Key Skills qualifications. The qualifications you gain as an Apprentice can help you to enter higher education.
Of the levels of NVQ:
- Level 1 is equivalent to 5 GCSEs at grades D-G
- Level 2 is equivalent to 5 GCSEs at grades A-C
- Level 3 is equivalent to 2 A levels/1 vocational A level
- Level 4/5 is equivalent to HNC, HND and degree level
- NVQs and GNVQs
- BTECs, OCR Nationals and other vocational qualifications
- Key Skills qualification
How to apply
You can fill in a form on the Apprenticeships website – someone then contacts you about your options or you can call the Apprenticeships helpline for an information pack.
You can also approach an employer who takes on apprentices or apply through your local Learning and Skills Council to be put in touch with a training provider. You might have to be interviewed or take some tests, so you need to be able to convince others that this is what you want to do.
