What is an apprenticeship?
An apprenticeship is when you are employed at a place of work whilst also studying towards an industry recognised qualification.
There are hundreds of apprenticeships available including:
- Accounting
- Business
- Construction
- Dental Nursing
- Engineering
- Food and drink
- IT
- Retail
- Supply Chain
You will spend around 80% of the time working and around 20% studying at a place of education i.e college or a training centre.
Apprenticeships last between 1-6 years depending on your employer and the type of apprenticeship. You will also be paid during your apprenticeship. If you are aged 16-19 you will be paid £3.90 per hour. Once you are aged 19 you will be paid the national minimum wage for apprentices.
Advantages of an apprenticeship
Gain experience when working
You will be learning on the job when undertaking an apprenticeship. This is because you will be studying as well as working and developing your skills. You will be able to learn more about your job and the industry. This practical experience will make a great addition to your CV and give you something to talk about at future job interviews.
Earn a qualification whilst working
At the end of your apprenticeship, you can earn a qualification such as a HNC, HND or a degree. This, combined with the practical experience, will help you progress further in your chosen career path.
Earn a salary
You will be paid whilst you are undertaking an apprenticeship. This means you can start earning your own income as soon as you have left school. The amount you earn depends on your apprentice provider however it will always meet (or be above) the National Minimum Wage for apprentices. You will also receive any other employment benefits such as holidays and sick pay.
Any tuition fees will be paid by the government or your employer. You only need to cover the costs of expenses such as travel and your lunch.
Where can you find apprenticeship opportunities?
You can find apprenticeship opportunities on the UK Government website or by visiting apprenticeships.scot. Both websites allow you to search for apprenticeship opportunities either by industry or location and provide lots of useful guidance about the application process. You can also read stories from people who are currently undertaking an apprenticeship to hear about their experience.
Many organisations that offer apprenticeships will have dedicated careers websites offering information about their apprenticeship opportunities and how to apply.
Your school can also help you find opportunities. Talk to your careers advisor, year head or guidance teacher who can offer advice or let you know of any opportunities they may know of. Some apprenticeship providers may even visit your school as part of a careers event.
Next steps
Once you finish your apprenticeship you will have many options available to you. You could apply for full-time jobs in your chosen industry or perhaps your employer will offer you another job with their company. Remember, you will have gained lots of skills, experience and knowledge (not to mention a qualification) that you can apply to future jobs.
Your employer may be in a position to help you find another company that could offer you a job as they may know of other similar businesses. Your current manager will be able to provide a reference for you if you decide to apply for new jobs.
If you wish to continue your education you could apply to university or college.
