Apprenticeships & School Leavers Jobs

Apprenticeships enable you to start working and earn a decent wage while you learn key skills and gain the qualifications that future employers want. You'll probably start out on the National Minimum Wage or another standard rate of pay for apprenticeships in your industry. But, as your skills progress, your employer may up your paycheque as well. This not only helps out your bank account, but gives you an extra incentive to do well in your apprenticeship.

While on your apprenticeship, you'll be treated like a regular employee of the company in that you'll get a certain amount of paid holiday per year in addition to bank holidays. Your entitlement may vary depending on your employment and training agreement, but by law you are entitled to at least 20 days. You may also be able to take some time off for study leave in addition to your usual paid leave, but this is up to your employer and depends on the type of job you have.

One of the largest advantages of getting the qualifications you need in your field, while being able to put the skills you learn into practise at the same time, is that someone will always be on-hand to show you how things are done. If you have any questions about techniques, terminology or anything related to the industry, you can instantly ask your manager. Asking questions, taking on more responsibility and trying new things will help you get better in your apprenticeship

Your apprenticeship will be very rewarding, even if at times it may seem demanding. Once you have finished your apprenticeship, you'll have a world of options open to you. You may be able to carry on working in the same place, or look for a similar job in a different company. Having industry experience is very important when getting your first job, so being able to show that you've got that plus qualifications will give you a huge advantage over other applicants.

Also, your apprenticeship may have showed you other interests that you never knew you had, so think about going to uni or getting another qualification. Or, take some time out to think about your next step, and look into taking a gap year -you can work abroad, volunteer or just travel.

Apprenticeships are another way of gaining qualifications in a workplace. You also get to earn as you learn and gain valuable workplace experience and skills.

Yes. However, to receive funding the employer must prove that the training is developing skills that you have not already learned at university.

Benefits include:
Getting paid whilst learning
Improve and gain skills and knowledge that will help you gain your qualification faster
You learn at your own pace
You receive support and mentoring
It can set you up in a job or move onto better jobs

Yes- all employed apprentices aged 16 or above must receive a wage of at least £2.65 an hour, but in practice many get much higher. Your salary will increase as you get older and get more experience.

All employees aged over 16 must still pay tax and national insurance on their income.

All apprentices must be offered a minimum of 16 hours of work per week but generally, most apprentices are employed full time. Your working hours are determined by your employer.

As you are an employee you will be given at least 20 days' paid holiday per year on top of bank holidays.

Yes, if your employer agrees that you can become an apprentice where you work now.

You can apply at any time of the year. Starting your training just depends upon the availability of a position at an employer.

No. Your employer pays you a salary and also supports you whilst you do your training. The National Apprenticeship Service will pay for the costs of your training depending on your age.

Age NAS contribution 16-18 100% 19-24 50% 25+ Contribution for specific places

The duration of an Apprenticeship varies depending on prior skills levels of the apprentices and the industry sector of the Apprenticeship. Generally, Apprenticeships take between one and four years to complete.

Different Apprenticeships require different entry requirements however the main points to take in account is that:

• You must be living in the UK and not in full-time education and;
• You must be aged 16 or over