Apprenticeships in England (2024)

Everything you need to know about apprenticeships in England, including what they are, entry requirements, and more.

Taking an apprenticeship in England

There are apprenticeships available for thousands of different jobs in a range of industries. From something hands-on like engineering, nursing or construction, to a career in marketing, law or project management, to name a few.

With an apprenticeship, most of your learning is through on-the-job training and you’ll work towards a qualification at the same time. You get paid a salary just like a normal employee, and you get dedicated study time throughout the week too.

To be considered for an apprenticeship programme in England, you need to be:

  • aged 16 or over
  • living in England,the British Overseas Territories, or Crown Dependencies (Channel Islands and Isle of Man)
  • not in full-time education

Care-experienced students

If you're in care, or have experience of being in care,Amazing Apprenticeships Care Leavers Guidegives infoabout apprenticeships and what help is available if you're considering an apprenticeship in England, including financial assistance.

A day in the life of a Sales Apprentice

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Wondering what an apprenticeship is like?

Hear from Sheona about what her day-to-day life is like as a Level 4 sales apprentice with Coca-Cola Europacific Partners.

What level apprenticeships are available in England?

Intermediate apprenticeships (Level 2)

Level 2 apprenticeships are equivalent to GCSE standard.

Advanced apprenticeships (Level 3)

Level 3 apprenticeships are equivalent to two A Level passes.

Higher apprenticeships (Level 4 and 5)

Higher apprenticeships are equivalent to the first year of an undergraduate degree or a foundation degree.

Degree apprenticeships (Level 6 and 7)

A degree apprenticeship is equivalent to an undergraduate or a master's degree.

Discover which industry might suit you

Interested in an apprenticeship but not sure what you want to do?Get to know the different industries offering apprenticeships, from marketing to architecture and business management to engineering.

Explore industries

Entry requirements for apprenticeships in England

An apprenticeship is a real job, so you’ll also need to meet any other criteria set out by the employer. Entry requirements are different depending on the employer and the role, and will vary per vacancy.Make sure you read the vacancy carefully and get in touch with the employer if you have any questions.

Remember, it’s not all about qualifications. Employers will be looking for willingness to learn, passion, and transferrable skills you could bring to the role.

Jonny - Director of Business Operations at PwC

"When we’re looking for our apprentices, there really isn’t a specific type of person, or specific skill set we’re looking for. Instead, it’s about recognising people with ambition and a determination to succeed."

Helena - Apprenticeship Lead at Walsall Council

"We always employ our apprentices with a view beyond their qualification as the objective is always to progress people through and up the organisation. We’re here to equip our staff with the skills they need to succeed."

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Apprenticeships in England (2024)

FAQs

How do I pass my apprenticeship interview? ›

Read the job description

Know what you're applying for and the kind of skills and experience they're asking for. Don't worry if you're not the perfect candidate on paper. The key is to understand what you're good at, how it's relevant to the job, and get that across to the employer.

Do apprenticeships pay evidence for England? ›

They also indicate that evidence on whether apprenticeships lead to wage returns seems to be mixed and dependant on the country. In England, there is a literature estimating the returns to vocational qualifications, which generally suggests positive returns for apprenticeships.

What are 2 disadvantages of an apprenticeship? ›

CONS
  • #1 – You could limit your options. One potential risk of undertaking an apprenticeship is limiting your options. ...
  • #2 – Wage. Despite being paid a salary, apprentices typically start on a low salary. ...
  • #3 – Commitment. ...
  • #4 – Extra responsibility. ...
  • #5 – Holiday allowance.

Are apprenticeships hard to get? ›

Apprenticeships as exclusive job training may be difficult to find, many of which are administered through trade unions. They are in high demand in some areas.

Is an apprenticeship interview hard? ›

Apprenticeship interviews can be difficult to prepare for, for both the interviewer and interviewee. When interviewing junior talent, you're not expecting years of experience or multiple projects for the candidate to draw examples from.

How can I increase my chances of getting an apprenticeship? ›

To increase your chances of getting an apprenticeship, it's important to start your search early, be proactive, and apply for multiple opportunities. It's also important to research the companies you're interested in and to make sure your application stands out.

Can foreigners do apprenticeship in the UK? ›

International students

You can do an apprenticeship as an international student, but you need to be eligible to work in the UK and have the necessary visas.

Can non UK citizens apply for apprenticeship? ›

Have the right to work and study in England and be one of the following: A citizen of a country within the European Economic Area (EEA) or have the right to abode in the UK and have been resident in the EEA for at least the previous three years on the first day of your apprenticeship.

Who is eligible for UK apprenticeships? ›

To start an apprenticeship, you'll need to be: 16 or over. living in England. not in full-time education.

Does an apprenticeship look good on a resume? ›

In today's competitive job market and soft economy, employers are hiring only the most experienced, skilled, and reliable employees. With the experience of an apprenticeship included in your work resume, your candidacy is significantly strengthened with industry skills and first-hand experience.

Are paid apprenticeships worth it? ›

Increased Earning Potential

According to the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), 93% of apprentices who complete a registered apprenticeship retain employment, earning an average annual salary of $77,000.

What are the benefits of apprenticeships in the UK? ›

For the apprentice, apprenticeships offer the chance to gain valuable skills, higher earning potential and improved life chances. Higher and degree apprenticeships allow apprentices to gain university-level qualifications while working. There is no limit to how high and how far an apprentice can go.

Is 30 too old for an apprenticeship? ›

There is no upper age limit for taking an apprenticeship course, and with people having longer working lives there are more opportunities to change career now than ever before. Apprenticeships are an ideal way to do that.

Is there an age limit for apprenticeships UK? ›

Apprenticeships are available to anyone over the age of 16, living in England and have no upper age limit.

What age is best to start an apprenticeship? ›

Apprenticeships are for anyone above the age of 16 who isn't in full-time education. There isn't an age limit but they're normally aimed at 16-24 year olds.

What to expect in an interview for an apprenticeship? ›

Apprenticeship interviews – the basics

Apprenticeship interviews are likely to be competency-based. They will focus on the things you can do, so you'll be asked to give examples to show you have the skills needed for the role.

How do you introduce yourself in an apprenticeship interview? ›

SUGGESTED ANSWER: “I am someone who is hard-working, conscientious and professional. I fully understand that you want to take someone on within this apprenticeship who will not only work hard to do the job properly, but who will also continually grow and develop as the apprenticeship progresses.

How do I know if my apprenticeship interview went well? ›

How To Tell If An Interview Went Well (Or Badly): 14 Tell-Tale Signs
  1. The interview was longer than expected. ...
  2. The interviewer spoke to you as if you already had the role. ...
  3. The interviewer asked lots of questions about your skills and experience, and your responses were received positively.
Dec 22, 2022

What questions to ask at the end of an apprenticeship interview? ›

Popular apprentice questions to ask employer at the end of the interview include: “How much time will I spend with the learning provider?”, “What's the company culture like?”, or “What are the main goals of the company?”. This will show you are interested.

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