Coronavirus
Updates: Colleges & Business Units | Commercial Outlets and Nurseries
Advice for: Students, Parents and Carers | College Applicants | Apprentices
Updates: Colleges & Business Units | Commercial Outlets and Nurseries
Advice for: Students, Parents and Carers | College Applicants | Apprentices
Apprenticeships are designed by employers so the training reflects the skills, knowledge and behaviours an Apprentice will need for a particular occupation.
Apprenticeship training is of a high standard and only training providers who are on the register of Apprenticeship training providers can deliver the training.
Working as an apprentice means they earn as they learn. An Apprentice works in a real job and spends 20% of their working hours training. So they gain the skills needed for their chosen occupation.
Some Apprenticeships include a qualification, including a degree. All of the training is free, so the Apprentice has no student debt to worry about.
Apprenticeships offer the opportunity for learners to gain a nationally, and ever more increasingly internationally recognised level of training. The training that an Apprentice receives will be practical, employment related, and include on and off the job aspects.
Apprentices work alongside experienced staff whilst at the same time earning a salary.
Apprentices are employees of an organisation; you cannot be a self-employed Apprentice. They must have a contract of employment. Apprentices are entitled to the same conditions as other employees that are not on an Apprenticeship. Apprentices are entitled to not only holiday pay, but they are also entitled to sickness pay and any specific benefits that their employer offers to their workforce in general. These benefits vary according to the employer.
A full-time Apprenticeship involves on average a 37-hour working week depending on the particular employer. Apprentices must usually have a contract of employment for a minimum of 30 hours per week.
Workers under 18 are not usually allowed to work at night, however, exceptions can apply in some circumstances.
Younger workers may work during the night if they are employed in a hospital or similar places of work, or in areas such as, advertising, sporting or cultural activities.
Younger workers may work between 10 pm or 11 pm to midnight and between 4 am to 6/7am if they are employed in:
Agriculture
Retail trading
Postal or newspaper deliveries
A catering business, hotel, public house, restaurant etc
A bakery
They may work when the work is necessary to, maintain continuity of service or production, or respond to demand for services or products.
There are numerous levels of Apprenticeships available to apply for depending on current qualifications and skills.
You can undertake an Apprenticeship at a lower level than a qualification you already hold if it allows you to develop substantial new knowledge, skills and behaviours e.g. if you hold a degree in computer science you could undertake an Apprenticeship in Carpentry.
Depending on the level, some Apprenticeships may:
At the end of your Apprenticeship, you’ll achieve the equivalent education level. For example, if you complete a Level 3 Apprenticeship, you’ll achieve the equivalent of an A level.
| Level | Equivalent education 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 |
We offer a wide range of Apprenticeships in subject areas such as:
Level 2 Engineering Apprentice, George, began his Apprenticeship at Kent and East Sussex Railway after volunteering for the organisation. Inspired by his Grandfather, who worked on the railway, George enjoys using his Engineering skills and knowledge to help maintain the locomotives.
Ellie successfully completed her Level 3 Business Administration Apprenticeship at Kent and Canterbury Hospital, and has progressed into a full-time role at the Hospital, working as a Women's Health Governance Personal Assistant.
Senior Healthcare Support Worker Apprentice, Mike, has worked in operating theatres for seven years and has started an Apprenticeship to develop his skills in preparation for taking the next step in his career.
Learn more about local Apprenticeship opportunities and explore our range of Apprenticeship courses