What Is An Apprenticeship?

Apprenticeships are high quality, work-based training programmes for people who want to develop their career prospects.

As a parent, you want to ensure that your child has the best possible start to their working life. Many young people prefer not to follow an academic route, often because their strengths are based in practice rather than theory or because they want to work more than they want to study.

Apprenticeships were designed by industry training organisations in consultation with employers to meet employers’ demands for capable and motivated young people. An Apprenticeship combines a real job with high quality training and nationally-recognised qualifications giving young people the opportunity to gain experience and earn while they learn.

An Apprentice is employed from day one and generally spends four days each week with their employer and one day at College.

Apprenticeships are available in a wide range of occupational areas and are available at two levels "Apprenticeship and Advanced Apprenticeship" and each occupation has its own framework. The framework lays out exactly what each Apprentice has to achieve and covers an NVQ and a package of the key skills that employers look for such as communication, problem solving and working with others.

Apprentices also need to be happy to work as both part of a team and individually, and be able to use their own initiative.

Apprenticeships can take between one and four years to complete depending on the level of the Apprenticeship, the apprentices’ ability and the industry sector. The minimum salary is £95 a week; however, many apprentices earn significantly more.

If your son or daughter is interested in taking up an Apprenticeship, we will conduct an in-depth interview and initial assessment to help them decide on the best options for them.

We are always happy to discuss the options available with either you or your son or daughter. If you would like more information please contact us on 01793 755520 or at apprenticeships@newcollege.ac.uk