Apprenticeships explained

Key benefits

  • Earn a salary while you learn
  • On the job training, to develop your career and increase your earning potential
  • Development of transferable skills (inc English and maths)
  • No debts, the government and your employer pay your fees
  • No upper age limit

Qualifications

Qualifications although a component of some apprenticeships, are not a component of all apprenticeships. Since the introduction of apprenticeship Standards, apprenticeships focus on learning new skills, knowledge and behaviours.

The benefits of an apprenticeship?

With an apprenticeship, you have a fantastic opportunity to earn while you learn and gain industry desired skills and knowledge and behaviours in the workplace.  You can be employed as a new apprentice by a company on a fixed term contract or you can be an existing member of staff who would like to up-skill or retrain. 

How will I be supported?

Once you've started your apprenticeship, you will be allocated a Skills & Development Coach from Dynamic Training, who will support you for the duration of your training and ensure you are ready for end point assessment. In addition, your organisation will provide you with an in-house mentor who is normally a senior member of staff, but who is not your direct manager. 

How many hours must I work?

Working hours vary depending on your employer, however the minimum duration of an apprenticeship (12 months) is based on an apprentice working 30 paid hours per week. For apprentices working less hours, the apprenticeship duration must be extended.  

How much can I earn?

For new apprentices (on apprenticeship fixed term contracts), your salary will depend on your employer, location and the apprenticeship job role. There is no single rate of pay for apprentices. The majority of employers pay more than the national minimum wage for apprentices. Your salary will be subject to national insurance contributions and income tax.

National minimum wage for apprentices from 1 April 2023 - 31 March 2024

The National Living Wage now applies to those aged 23 and over.

You are entitled to the National Minimum Wage, the current minimum rate for an apprentice is £5.28 per hour (as of April 2023). This rate applies to apprentice's aged 16 to 18 and those aged 19 or over who are in their first year of their apprenticeships.

If you are over 19 and have completed the first 12 months of your apprenticeship programme you will be entitled to the current National Minimum Wage rate for your age

You must be paid for your normal hours of work and any training that is part of your apprenticeship. 

Year

23 and over

21 to 22

18 to 20

Under 18

Apprentice

April 2023

£10.42

£10.18

£7.49

£5.28

£5.28


Example A

An apprentice aged 22 in the first year of their apprenticeship is entitled to a minimum hourly rate of £5.28.

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

  • are aged 19 or over and have completed the first year of their apprenticeship

Example B

An apprentice aged 22 who has completed the first year of their apprenticeship is entitled to a minimum hourly rate of £10.18.

Will I get paid holidays?

You will be entitled to the same holiday as the rest of the employees, typical entitlement for an apprentice working five days per week is 28 days paid holiday (this can include bank holidays)

Existing staff members

For those of you who are existing staff members for whom your employer is offering the opportunity to undertake an apprenticeship to either up-skill or retrain, your existing rate of pay should not be affected.

How long does an apprenticeship take?

The duration of an apprenticeship depends on the type of apprenticeship you are on. The minimum time for an intermediate (Level 2) apprenticeship is 12 months, however for higher and degree level apprenticeships take longer from 12 months to 5 years (* subject to the apprenticeship job role).

What are apprenticeship levels?

Apprenticeships have equivalent educational levels. This means for example, if you are completing a Level 3 apprenticeship, you will be learning at the equivalent level of someone who is being taught A Levels. 

Name

Level

Equivalent educational level

Intermediate

2

GCSE

Advanced

3

A level

Higher

4,5,6 and 7

Foundation degree and above

Degree

6 and 7

Bachelor’s or master’s degree

 

Credit Information from https://www.gov.uk/apprenticeships-guide

Are apprenticeships widely available?

Apprenticeships have evolved significantly with the introduction of apprenticeship standards, and today you will be able to find hundreds of apprenticeship roles created by industry trailblazers to help future proof their businesses. A wide variety of job roles in many sectors are currently available to you.

Am I eligible for an apprenticeship?

Apprenticeship are open to anyone aged 16 or over, entitled to live in England and who are no longer in full time education.  Whether you are starting your working career or are already in the workplace looking to up-skill or retrain, apprenticeships can provide you an opportunity to increase your skills and knowledge.  As there is no upper age limit, apprenticeships can be a great way for working professionals to help achieve career progression or for career changers to learn a new profession.

Entry requirements for apprenticeships

The entry requirements differ for each apprenticeship and are specific to the type of apprenticeship being applied for.  The entry requirements will be specified within the details of the apprenticeship and organisations will sometimes have their own entry requirements. 

I have a degree, can I be an apprentice?

With the introduction of standards, Higher apprenticeships are now accessible to degree holders as long as the apprenticeship is in a totally unrelated subject to that already studied and achieved. 

How do I apply for an apprenticeship?

Dynamic Training partners with employers to assist in the recruitment of apprentices and our current apprenticeship vacancies are listed on our website under apprenticeship vacancies. 

Alternatively, you are able to search and apply for all apprenticeship vacancies using the National Apprenticeship Service website

 

Next Steps

Find out more about the programme please feel free to contact us via:

Tel: 0208 6077850 or

Email: hello@dynamictraining.org.uk

Online Enquiry form: Click here

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