How to Get an Apprenticeship

If you want to get into a new industry, avoid getting into debt to pay for your education, or you just learn better in the real world than you do in the classroom, an apprenticeship could be the right route for you to progress along your chosen career path. A House of Commons Research Briefing showed that in 2018-19, nearly 400,000 people in England started an apprenticeship, and more than 185,000 qualified, leaving a total of nearly three quarters of a million people studying an active apprenticeship overall. There are apprenticeships to be found in almost every industry and sector, at any age and at any level of education. Despite some people's perception, apprenticeships are not just for 'learning a trade' like carpentry or plumbing, although they can be used for that too. In this article we'll look in more detail at apprenticeships, including some tips on how to apply for an apprenticeship and how to maximise your chances of success.

What is an apprenticeship?

An apprenticeship combines work with study. For the most part, it is like a normal job, and for 80% of a typical week you will work for an employer. For the other 20%, you will attend some form of training relevant to your chosen career. In higher apprenticeships, the study element may take place at a university. But there are plenty of other ways to complete the study portion of your apprenticeship, including online lessons, blocks of training, e.g. a week-long course rather than one day a week, and coaching directly in the workplace. Apprenticeships are directly equivalent to other qualifications like GCSEs and A-levels. In general, if you complete an apprenticeship at the following levels, this is what it is 'worth' in terms of educational achievement:

• Intermediate (Level 2) - 5 GCSEs grade 9-4 (A*-C in the old grading system)
• Advanced (Level 3) - 2 A-level passes
• Higher (Levels 4-7) - Foundation degree and above

To qualify at the end of your apprenticeship, you must complete some form of assessment. This varies between different apprenticeships and should be set out in full detail at the start, so you can make sure you apply for an apprenticeship that is assessed in a way that suits you.

Who are apprenticeships for?

Modern-day apprenticeships are for anyone. Statistics show a very even split between male and female apprentices. Nearly half of apprenticeships are started by people aged 25 and over, and 75% are started by people aged 19 and over. You can study an apprenticeship part-time if you are unable to commit to a full working week, although availability of part-time apprenticeships may be more limited. An apprenticeship must by law last for at least 12 months, but studying part-time can extend it anywhere up to six years. In many cases, it is completely possible to start an apprenticeship with a disability. Many employers offer the necessary accessibility in the workplace, or will work with you to accommodate your needs. apprenticeships vary significantly so it's all about finding one that suits you - whether that's your learning style, a mobility impairment, or any other specific characteristic. The Into Apprenticeships guide from Disability Rights UK gives a useful overview of accessibility to apprenticeships for disabled people, and is a good starting point if you are looking for a vacancy that meets your needs.

What are the benefits of an apprenticeship?

For many people the main benefit of an apprenticeship is that you don't have to spend all week in the classroom or lecture theatre. If you've always found it hard to do well in exams, apprenticeships offer a vocational route that could suit you better, especially depending on the method of assessment used at the end of your apprenticeship. However, this is not the only reason why people choose apprenticeships, and they are now available in many careers that are traditionally academic, such as finance and legal services. For some people it's a question of money, as you can earn a good wage while working towards an apprenticeship. Some of the main benefits of apprenticeships are:

• On-the-job training: Instead of studying theory in a classroom, you gain practical skills directly on the job and start to build career experience several years sooner than you otherwise might.
• Earning while learning: A typical apprenticeship includes 80% of your time spent working, for which you will be paid at least the apprenticeship minimum wage, and often significantly more.
• Fee-free education: For apprentices aged 16-24, any tuition costs are paid by the employer and the government. That means you can gain recognised qualifications equivalent to GCSEs, A-levels or a degree, without running up huge student debt.

Finally, some people have just had enough of full-time education by the time they reach 16 or 18. If you're ready to start your career, instead of putting more years into gaining qualifications in the classroom, an apprenticeship fulfils the requirement for on-the-job training in order for you to be legally allowed to leave school at 16.

What does COVID-19 mean for apprenticeships?

The number of people starting new apprenticeships fell during the first months of the Coronavirus pandemic. The House of Commons report found there were 60% fewer apprenticeships started in May 2020, compared with the same month in 2019. As workplaces become COVID-secure, it is likely that the number of apprenticeship starts will return closer to normal. Because they mostly take place in the workplace, apprenticeships also offer a useful alternative to learning in a crowded classroom or lecture theatre where social distancing is more difficult to maintain. You may find the application process is different in the post-COVID era, with more interviews carried out via telephone or webcam, and fewer face-to-face meetings in the early rounds of an apprenticeship application.

Tips for apprenticeship applications

The application process for apprenticeships can differ depending on the vacancy being advertised. Usually the advert will make it clear how to apply, but be prepared for this to change if you are applying for multiple apprenticeships at the same time. Some employers will ask you to apply directly to them, while others might ask you to apply via the National Apprenticeship Service. Look out for specifics too, such as if you need to include a cover letter, or anything in particular you should put in your CV. Once you are past the initial stage, things usually progress in a more similar way. The next step is likely to be an interview with the apprenticeship provider. This traditionally would take place in person, but depending on COVID-19 precautions, you might be asked to have a telephone or webcam interview first. Here are some useful tips for apprenticeship applications:

Writing a CV

Make sure your CV is up to date and tailored to each apprenticeship you apply for. You always want to show yourself in the best possible light, but also with maximum relevance to the role. Remember a fifth of an apprenticeship is studying, not work, so you should address this on your CV. Use about 20% of the space to detail any formal qualification you have already gained, or any personal skills that will help you to succeed in the study element. If the apprenticeship has minimum entry requirements, make sure you show that you meet or exceed those. That can depend not only on having passed GCSE Maths and English, but also on your specific grade, so include those and make sure they're enough.

Writing a cover letter

A cover letter should be positive but it's not just about making yourself sound good. It's also sensible to explain why you are interested in the role, including why you would like to work with this particular employer. Don't go into too much detail - a cover letter should be quite short, as it's just an introduction to who you are and why you're a good candidate. Include all the essentials and some basic contact details, as well as any particular highlights from your CV. Writing a cover letter can be helpful for yourself, as you'll get a clearer idea of your strengths and weaknesses, and you can take that knowledge into the interview stage to portray yourself in an even better light.

In the interview

With a strong enough application, it's only a matter of time until you make it to the interview stage. In the meantime, you can practise with friends, especially if you know anyone who runs a business or holds a managerial position in their company. Rehearsing answers to common apprenticeship interview questions is not a bad idea. Even if you don't sound completely natural when reciting your answer back, it's better to sound prepared than it is to try to make something up on the spot. Consider rehearsing with a friend by telephone and webcam too. In the post-COVID era, even as things get back to normal, more employers are likely to offer remote interviews in the first round as they're easier for people to attend. Make sure you're confident talking over a microphone, rather than face-to-face.

Do I need qualifications to take an apprenticeship?

Apprenticeship prerequisites - the qualifications you need to start an apprenticeship - vary depending on the vacancy. It's usually good to have GCSE Maths and English to a good standard (Grade 4 under the new system, Grade C under the old system, or better). Depending on your qualifications, you should find yourself eligible for a certain level of apprenticeship: Intermediate/Advanced apprenticeships (Level 2-3) - School leavers with GCSEs

• Higher/Degree apprenticeships (Level 4-7) - College leavers with A-levels

If you're older, it's likely you will be eligible for Higher apprenticeships and Degree apprenticeships, where the study element allows you to work towards gaining a qualification equivalent to a university degree while working and earning.

How much do apprenticeships pay?

The rate of pay for apprenticeships varies depending on a lot of different factors. Some of these include:

• Industry, sector or trade
• Geographical location
• Age of Apprentice
• Level of apprenticeship
• Other factors

Glassdoor’s Salary data shows that the average UK apprenticeship pays £17,794. If you’re interested in finding out which trades pay the most take a look at our article on the subject. Some employers might offer more money to attract better candidates, and you can earn a pay rise during your apprenticeship if you perform well at work. Remember also that the net gain can be much higher compared with full-time education, because in an apprenticeship you can avoid paying tuition fees. Working towards an apprenticeship will give you certain employee rights, such as the ability to earn paid holiday entitlement. However, if you earn more than the tax-free Personal Allowance, you'll have to pay income tax on your wages too.