What is an apprenticeship?
As an apprentice, you will be working in a real job where you will be employed by a company, have a contract of employment, get paid a salary and be entitled to all of the statutory benefits such as holiday and sick pay.
Where to start?
There are apprenticeships available at Intermediate, Advanced, Higher and Degree levels. These cover more than 280 industries and 1500 job roles in sectors from Nursing to Graphic Design, Horticulture to Electric Vehicle Engineering, Advertising to Nuclear Decommissioning.
Who can do an apprenticeship?
16-18 year olds
18-23 year olds
Adults
People with degrees (subject to industry/pathway)
Any academic level
People who are in prison
applying for an apprenticeship
Finding an apprenticeship is very different to applying to 6th Form, College or University. The jobs are not all advertised on one date and they do not all start in September. Jobs are advertised throughout the year. You will need to check the website regularly to view the different jobs available.
How are apprenticeships delivered?
The way that apprenticeships are delivered will vary depending on the employer that you work for and the kind of job role you have as an apprentice. Some employers prefer to have their apprentices learning away from the workplace for the first few weeks or months of the apprenticeship, others might prefer for you to go to a training provider for 1 day per week and others might prefer for you to learn 100% on-the-job.
Higher & Degree Apprenticeships
A real alternative to the traditional University route, Degree Apprenticeships provide you with an opportunity to earn and learn with no student loan fees to pay back! All apprentices are earning at least the national minimum apprenticeship wage though many employers pay significantly more. Depending on the apprenticeship these can take between 1 to 5 years depending on previously achieved qualifications. Large employers are actively recruiting including the NHS, Barclays, Yorkshire Building Society and many more!
Career starter Apprenticeships for young people
Find out what Local apprentices have to say about their journey
Bradley, Sheffield
Tegan, York
Amy, Calderdale
Neave, Leeds
Katie, Hull
Max, Scarborough
Find out more about apprenticeships with yorkshire’s leading employers
further information from
UCAS
- Career Finder, a jobs board for early careers and apprenticeships at all levels – https://careerfinder.ucas.com/
- Employer Profiles for companies who recruit in early careers – https://www.ucas.com/explore/search/employers?query=
- Careers Quiz – www.ucas.com/careers-quiz
- Industry Guides – www.ucas.com/explore/search/industry-guides?query=
- Ultimate Guides – www.ultimateguides.ucas.com/
- Career Library www.ucas.com/explore/career-list
- General Apprenticeship Advice and Guidance – https://www.ucas.com/apprenticeships
- PDP Teacher and Advisor Training platform – Apprenticeship Course for CPD
- Parent and Carer Newsletter Sign Up – https://www.ucas.com/parents-signup
What if I can’t find what I am looking for?
If you can’t find what you’re looking for or if you have an idea in mind, then click here to visit the Institute for Apprenticeships site and use the search box, this will direct you to those apprenticeships that are closest to what you’re after. These standards can then be searched via Google, Bing etc. to find those employers & providers that are delivering.
Make a list of businesses or roles that you would like to be involved with, it doesn’t matter how ‘high-end’ these may seem. Once you’ve got your list of businesses and the types roles, write your personal profile. Be very clear that you are committed, dedicated, passionate, and hard-working. Be very clear that you’ll have a great impact on the business, because of your skills and your career aspirations and the details of the work you like to do.
Make sure you acknowledge that apprenticeships are a great tool to support businesses. Find some case studies to refer to in your application & do your research on the company! A greater knowledge and passion for an organisation will really reflect well on an employer.
For further support with your apprenticeship journey, feel free to get in touch with harrison.garner@wylp.org.uk, the Yorkshire Apprenticeship Service’s very own.
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