What are apprenticeships and what do they entail?

If the prospect of spending another 2 plus years in education doesn’t sound appealing after completing your GCSEs, then signing up for an apprenticeship could be the route for you.

You see, unlike college courses which expect you to sit at a desk and learn in a classroom, apprenticeships differ as most are designed to train you on the job giving you knowledge and hands-on experience under the supervision of a trained professional.

True, there are some that will ask you to attend a handful of classes, however the majority of your learning will be done on the job, plus by the end of it you will gain a license that will allow you to work in certain regulated professions.

How do apprenticeships work?

You could say the earliest jobs were apprenticeships. Blacksmiths, mechanics, builders… these are all jobs where the trade was passed down from generation to generation, from one person to the next, yet over the years apprenticeships have changed. Not only will you gain experience and training, by the end you will have also earned a formal qualification, a license and a salary.

Other things you need to know:

  • Apprenticeships last between 1-6 years. Their length will depend on the industry you choose, the level you’re working at and your prior experience.
  • Apprenticeships can be broken down into 4 levels:
    • Intermediate apprenticeships (Level 2)
    • Advanced apprenticeships (Level 3)
    • Higher apprenticeships (Level 4 and above) – will need A Levels and/or Level 3 qualifications
    • Degree apprenticeships (Levels 5-7) – will need A Levels and/or Level 3 qualifications
  • You can undertake apprenticeships in over 1,500 positions across the UK.

The 5 most popular apprenticeships:

  • Business, Administration and Law – good for banking, HR, insurance, accounting and legal professions (NOTE: there is now a Level 7 Solicitor apprenticeship);
  • Retail and Commercial Enterprise – covers beauty, hairdressing, catering, hospitality, funeral homes, retail management and international trade;
  • Health, Public Services and Care – care leadership, pharmacy, emergency care, firefighting, court, tribunal and HM Forces;
  • Engineering and Manufacturing Technologies – engineering construction, gas, manufacturing processes, heating and ventilation, rail engineering and nuclear;
  • Constructions, Planning and the Built Environment – you can earn a level 5-7 in construction management, civil engineering, plumbing, heating and surveying.

As you can see, apprenticeships have got a lot to offer for those who dislike educational settings. So if you fancy getting onto the career ladder fast, then why not consider signing up for an apprenticeship.

For more information on apprenticeships and online courses, visit our website today.

Like this article? Spread the word

Why you can trust the Association of Learning

The Association of Learning provides high-quality, accessible online education. Collaborating with awarding bodies like AQA, Edexcel and OCR, they offer over 250 globally recognised courses. Highly rated with 4.7/5 on Trustpilot, they're listed on Reed Courses, FindCourses and more. Explore inspiring learner stories. Contact their friendly team for quality, flexible learning opportunities to upskill your career.

How To Be Your Own Boss

Ready to be your own boss? Dive into our comprehensive guide to create a solid action plan, gain essential skills, and manage your finances effectively. With practical tips and resources, you'll be well-equipped to turn your entrepreneurial dreams into a successful reality!

CV Checklist

While not all job applications will ask you for a CV these days when you apply for a post, creating one is still highly recommended as it can hasten the application process. For instance, instead of having to sort through your certificates and remember every start and finish date, you can turn to your CV...

How to Prepare for an Interview

Even when you have got all the right qualifications, and have gone above and beyond to get the work experience you need to succeed in your chosen field; scoring an interview and making sure it is a success can be hard. In the below guide we will show you how to nail your interview and...

Potential History Careers

History is one of those niches where besides working in a museum or imitating Indiana Jones, not many people know what they can do with it. Yet, there is much more to completing an online history course than meets the eye. For instance, history degrees require great problem solving skills and an ability to analyse...

How creativity improve all aspects of your life

Creativity is regularly overlooked. In the workplace, at home… even at school it is placed lower on the priority scale. However, embracing your creativity can make a real difference to the way you behave and engage with other aspects of your life. In this blog, we’ll aim to prove why creativity is important and why...

Comments (0)

Join the conversation

Your email address will not be published
What’s on your mind?*
Your name*
Your email*