Apprenticeships are a way of continuing to learn while working and at the same time, you gain nationally recognised qualifications, which are valued by employers. They are for young people aged 16-24 and are available in a wide range of jobs. You work for an employer and get paid a wage or training allowance from day one.

There are two levels of Apprenticeship, Foundation (NVQ level 2) and Advanced (NVQ level 3). As part of the training, you work towards:

• National Vocational Qualifications (NVQ). The NVQ teaches you the specialist skills and knowledge you need to do your particular job. Each NVQ is made up of units. Rather than taking an exam to pass each unit, you are assessed in the work place to make sure that you can actually do the task
• Key Skills such as Information Technology, Communication and Working with Numbers. These skills are vital in every job
• Technical Certificates. These are industry- related qualifications such as City & Guilds or BTEC, and are designed to test specific job knowledge and understanding

 

Apprenticeships are assessed in a variety of ways. You have to be able to show you can do the job competently and answer questions about it. You also have to collect evidence to demonstrate your skills, knowledge and understanding. You may go to college one day a week or on block release, depending on the job you are doing.

The time can vary, but as a guide you would probably take between 12 and 18 months for the Foundation Level and 18 months to 3 years for the Advanced Level.

There is a network of Training/ Learning Providers throughout the country, which delivers the training for Apprenticeships. They are the people who arrange, monitor and assess your training.

No. The Learning and Skills Council funds Apprenticeships to make sure you receive quality training at no cost to you.