Apprenticeships

What is an apprenticeship?

An apprenticeship is more than doing work experience. You will be in a real job, employed by a company. You get paid a salary and are entitled to paid holidays and sick pay.

You learn from people already in the workplace, and you work towards qualifications that are relevant to your job.

A real jobwith a wage and paid holidays
80% / 20%learning on the job / study time with a college or training provider
1 to 4 yearsis how long most apprenticeships take
1,500+job roles, from law to graphic design

Who are they for?

Apprenticeships are open to anyone aged 16 or over who lives in England and is not in full-time education. They start throughout the year, and you can be an apprentice at any age.

What levels are there?

There are apprenticeships at all levels. The level you start at depends on the qualifications you have and the job you are applying for.

FoundationAn entry-level programme helping some young people prepare for a full apprenticeship in job areas like construction, digital and social care.
IntermediateLevel 2 – equivalent to GCSEs.
AdvancedLevel 3 – equivalent to A Levels. You will probably need at least 5 GCSEs at grades 9–4.
HigherLevel 4 and above – equivalent to a foundation degree and above.
DegreeLevel 6 and 7 – you gain a full degree while you work.

Many people start on a Level 2 apprenticeship and work their way up to a Higher or Degree Apprenticeship.

How much will I earn?

If you are aged 16 to 18, or in the first year of your apprenticeship, the National Minimum Wage rate for an apprentice is £8 per hour (2026 rate). Some employers pay more than this, so it varies across different apprenticeships.

You are paid for your normal working hours and for the training that is part of your apprenticeship. You also get at least 20 days of paid holiday a year, plus bank holidays.

What is it like being an apprentice?

On the job training is in the workplace with your employer. You develop your skills by working with colleagues who show you how to carry out tasks.
Off the job training is when you learn away from your work, often at a local college or with a training provider. This could be one day a week, a block of a few weeks, or online.
At the end you take an end point assessment to show the knowledge and skills you have learned. You will have a mentor to support you until you are ready.

Will I get a job at the end?

Most apprentices do – either with the employer they trained with, or with a different employer.

Good to know: your choice at 16 does not close doors. All of these pathways can lead on to university, a higher or degree apprenticeship, or a job. See how.

Things to think about

An apprenticeship could suit you if you answer “yes” to these questions:

Do you learn better through doing something?
Do you have an idea of the job you want to do?
Would you like to work and learn at the same time – and get paid?

Before you decide

Check there is an apprenticeship for the job area you are interested in, and what level you could start at.
For some jobs everyone starts at Level 2, whatever qualifications they have – for example hairdressing, or trades like plumbing.
An apprenticeship is a job, so you apply for a vacancy, just like any other job. Vacancies come up throughout the year.
Many apprenticeships are in big demand, so have a back-up plan. You can apply for a school sixth form or college place as well as an apprenticeship.
You will need to manage your work and your studies, so you will build your organisation and time management skills.
Not ready at 16? You can do an apprenticeship later – for example after A Levels, a T Level or a vocational course.

Find an apprenticeship and apply

How to apply: Search for vacancies on the government’s “Find an apprenticeship” service. You create an account, apply online and can keep track of your applications. Colleges, training providers and employers also advertise vacancies on their own websites.

Tips for applying

Check your application carefully. Spelling mistakes and poor punctuation make you stand out for the wrong reasons.
Include all your contact details – and answer your phone, check your messages and return calls.
Sell yourself. Say why you are interested in the role and what skills you have. Your Skills Profile will give you evidence of your skills.
Match your skills to the vacancy. Look in detail at what the employer is looking for.
Use a sensible email address that is just your name.
Think about your social media. Employers can look at what you post publicly, so check your privacy settings.

Not sure? Talk to a careers adviser, or get advice from people who know you well, like parents, carers and teachers.

What you will learn on this page: