There are many types of apprenticeships out there covering all working sectors including (but not limited to) business administration, health and social care and construction, with many more being available.
With it getting increasingly more difficult for young people to find work, an apprenticeship offers the chance to learn the skills that employers are looking for and to gain some experience in a chosen field.
They can last anywhere between one and four years depending on the level of the apprenticeship, skills of the candidate and the sector in which the apprenticeship is in.
For example, most level 2 apprenticeships take between 12 to 18 months to complete, whereas level 3 apprenticeships can take up to 24 months to complete. The length can be longer if the apprenticeship is on a part-time basis.
Apply for an apprenticeship
You can use the following resources to search and apply for apprenticeships:
Apprenticeship information (pay and hours)
Pay
National wage rates as of April 2024:
| Apprentice |
Under 18 |
18 to 20 |
21 and over |
| £6.40 |
£6.40 |
£8.60 |
£11.44 |
When an apprentice is in the first year of the apprenticeship they are entitled to the National Minimum Apprenticeship wage of £6.40, this applies to those of any age. Once the first year is complete, they are then entitled to the minimum wage of their age group, so long as they are over 19.
Hours
Most apprentices are expected to work at least 30 hours a week, this includes off-the-job learning, which needs to be at least 20% of the total apprenticeship working hours.
For example, if an apprentice is contracted to 40 hours a week with 20% off the job learning, then they would be expected to do eight hours a week for the learning portion of the apprenticeship.
Hours for under 18s
If an apprentice is under 18, then they cannot legally work for more than eight hours a day and 40 hours a week, and they must have a 12-hour break between shifts. They are entitled to holidays relevant to the hours they are contracted to work. Additionally, they should have a 30-minute rest break if they work a shift of more than four and a half hours.
Other information
For information on holiday entitlement visit the GOV.UK website
For more information regarding apprenticeship regulations visit the Acas website
Information for employers
Within the current working climate it has been noted that more and more employers are looking for candidates with both experience and a qualification as a back up for the role at hand. If you an employer were to take on an apprentice, you obtain someone who is willing to both learn and work and to potentially become a vital part of the company.
Community impact
Taking on an apprentice can boost the employment rate within the Salford area, and by taking on an apprentice in Salford it gives our community the chance to gain more accessible and transferable skills that can be used to give back to Salford
It also allows you to increase the amount of employment that is being brought into the city and allows people to increase their skills and knowledge around the industry they work in.
Funding
There is funding available to support you throughout the apprenticeship, and also incentives for small and medium size companies.
- 100% training cost cover (small companies)
If you are a company that takes on an apprentice aged 16 to 18 and have fewer than 50 employees, then you can get 100% of the training costs paid for by the government. You will be responsible for paying the apprentice's wage.
For more information on available funding you can visit the following pages on the GOV.UK website:
Information for parents/carers and careers advisors
An apprenticeship is aimed at anyone aged 16 or over who has left high school. They offer the chance for people to earn whilst they learn.
What is an apprenticeship?
- an apprenticeship is job with training that supplies an income to the apprentice gives the apprentice a nationally recognised and accredited qualification, as well as the skills to progress in their career.
- the length of an apprenticeship can differ, but they can last between one and four years depending on the level and sector.
- though they will be working towards a qualification in a certain field of work, the apprentice may have to complete their maths, English or ICT qualifications (GCSE or equivalent) if not already achieved.
Get more information on accredited qualifications.
Why is an apprenticeship a good opportunity?
- an apprenticeship offers the chance to earn a wage alongside any learning new skills.
- an apprenticeship is free for the apprentice
- an apprenticeship offers the chance to obtain ‘real world’ experience to develop skills and knowledge of a chosen sector.
More information from the All About School Leavers website