Frequently Asked Questions | Apprenticeships

Lots of people know about apprenticeships, but not many people know about the ins and outs of them and what they have to offer. Lots of people are stuck in the mindset that the only apprenticeship opportunities available are more hands-on in hairdressing, construction carpentry or other similar, traditional apprenticeship trades, but this is no longer the case. 

According to a government report released in February 2017, 23,000 apprenticeship opportunities were listed on ‘Find an Apprenticeship’ every month and with the scope of what you can do an apprenticeship in increasing every year, there are now apprenticeships available in over 170 industries.

With so much on offer and lots of information available it can be hard to find out the right apprenticeship information, so we’ve put together a list of FAQs that people often ask us when they are first learning about apprenticeship opportunities.

1.    How old do I have to be to do an apprenticeship?
To do an apprenticeship you have be aged 16 or over. In previous years the age to do an apprenticeship was capped at 24yrs of age, but recently the funding has changed so if you are aged 25+ you are also able to do an apprenticeship. The Student Finance England website has some great resources available to help you determine if you are eligible to do an apprenticeship in England. 

2.    Do I have to choose between doing an apprenticeship or a degree?
In previous years you had to choose between doing an apprenticeship or a degree, there was no ability to cross over and do both. One of the best things about apprenticeships now is that you are able to have your cake and eat it… by which we mean, you can do both! There are so many options out there now that there are even apprenticeships that require a degree, such as post-grad apprenticeships and other high-level apprenticeships predominantly in the engineering and mechanics industry. Additionally, having the opportunity to do an apprenticeship after university means that you have more freedom to change careers throughout your life. Perhaps the most exciting development in apprenticeships though is the addition of the degree-apprenticeship which gives you the opportunity to get paid while you learn on the job and have your degree paid for as you study at the same time.

3.    What are the wages?
People are often put off doing apprenticeships because of the initial low wages, but it’s important to remember that it is a stepping stone in your career often leading to much higher wages, plus you have the added benefit of not having any debt from university fees should you choose not to go. 

Apprentices are entitled to the apprentice rate of pay if they’re either:

• Aged under 19
• Aged 19 or over and in the first year of their apprenticeship
• Example: An apprentice aged 22 in the first year of their apprenticeship is entitled to a minimum hourly rate of £3.90.

Apprentices are entitled to the minimum wage for their age if they both:

• Are aged 19 or over
• Have completed the first year of their apprenticeship
• Example: An apprentice aged 22 who has completed the first year of their apprenticeship is entitled to a minimum hourly rate of £7.70.

Minimum Wage 1st April 2019 – March 31st 2020:

4.    What can I gain from doing an apprenticeship?
Often when our School Engagement Co-Ordinators go into schools’ students ask us what they can gain from doing an apprenticeship that they can’t get from going to university. Both are great options, it just depends what kind of learner you are and what you want to get out of your qualification. For example, some careers cannot be achieved doing an apprenticeship, such as a doctor or surgeon, while others can. If you’ve found an apprenticeship in your chosen field that’s great, but you may choose to go to university for the ‘uni experience’ and learn about your career of interest that way. Doing an apprenticeship can open up lots of doors, over 90% of apprentices are offered a permanent job role once their apprenticeship is finished and a City and Guilds study from 2015 recorded that 33% of employers have seen apprentices move into management roles within their company. There are also opportunities to do higher levels of apprenticeships or move to other companies to continue your career as well.  

5. What are the different levels/types of apprenticeship, and what do they mean?
There are 7 different levels/types of apprenticeships. The apprenticeship types get progressively harder academically as you move up each apprenticeship level, with level 2 being the lowest and level 7 being the highest.

More of a detailed breakdown can be found on our Apprenticeship Information Page.

6.    What are some different apprenticeship jobs I can do?
There are so many different types of apprenticeship jobs available at your fingertips it all really depends on the industry you’re looking to get into. You may be interested in more public sector-based apprenticeships from Police Officer and Paramedic to Healthcare Assistant and Dental Nurse there are lots of opportunities work in the public sector. There are also a huge range of office-based apprenticeships available from sales, real estate, PR and marketing positions to web development, business admin, accountancy, financial roles and even legal positions as well. If you have the travel bug you can do a hospitality or a cabin crew apprenticeship and have a career that takes you all over the world, or you may prefer something a bit more hands-on like hair and beauty, health and fitness, construction or mechanics and engineering. The opportunities really are endless!

With so many options to choose from and so many decisions to make, finding your career path can seem like a daunting process. Our friendly Recruitment Resourcers are on-hand to help with information and resources that can help you make the right decision for you.

Get in touch: enquiries@theaimgroup.co.uk | 01245 392075