What are Apprenticeships? 

Apprenticeships combine practical training in a job (with an employer) whilst studying alongside for a related qualification provided by a national or local college or University (known as the “Training Provider").

As an apprentice, students:

• Work alongside experienced staff and gain job-specific skills, both of which may lead to quicker job progression than for other employees.
• Earn a wage while they learn and increase their long-term earning prospects.
• Study towards a related qualification.

Apprenticeships can take up to 6 years to complete depending on their level, and go from the equivalent of GCSEs up to postgraduate degree level.

For a good overview of what an apprenticeship is, how to find one, and why you might consider this pathway, see:

1. Amazing Apprenticeships Student Zone
2. Amazing Apprenticeships Parent Zone (including “The Parent Perspective Podcast”)
3. Prospects’ Guide to apprenticeships

(Please note: the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) does not classify apprenticeships as "approved education or training" as it is paid employment.  Therefore, apprentices' parents are ineligible for Child Benefit, Child Tax Credit and Universal Credit for the apprentice.  For any questions on this, please contact DWP.  The impact on lifetime earnings for apprenticeships can easily offset this, but it is something to be aware of.

Where to search for an Apprenticeship

1. The National Apprenticeship Database

All education providers must advertise their apprenticeships via this government-backed database, so it is an easy place to start your search.  You can also register and set up personalised alerts - so that you receive information about new apprenticeships specific to you, as they are loaded. 

Note – employers do not have to use this website to advertise their apprenticeships.  The employer may advertise and fill their vacancies before a training provider is even appointed, in which case the apprenticeship will never appear on this database. 

Therefore, do NOT rely on this database alone, as you will miss opportunities.

2.  Companies' own websites

As with any job search, you should also think about the type of organisation that you want to work for, and then search for vacancies via the organisations’ own websites. 

 If you really want to work for a particular organisation, and they are not currently advertising for an apprentice, it is worth contacting them to express your interest.  Send a good cover letter and your CV, and ask to be kept on file.  Due to the “Apprenticeships Levy”, many companies are considering starting to offer apprenticeships, and your expression of interest may just kick-start them into the process and get your foot in the door. 

See the CV and Cover Letter templates on the Student Careers SharePoint Site.

3. Use one of the many search engines

There are many search engines specifically for finding an apprenticeship.  For example, UCAS Apprenticeships, All About School Leavers, Not Going to Uni and Careers World . 

Traditional job websites also advertise apprenticeships - e.g. www.monster.co.uk, www.totaljobs.com, www.jobs.nhs.uk/index.html etc.

4.  Use the school's Careers Coordinator and/or the Careers Advisor

Tell the Careers Coordinator what sort of apprenticeship you are looking for.  The school receives notification of a wide range of apprenticeships, and if we are aware that a student is looking for something in particular, we can bear that in mind when we receive the updates.