Apprenticeships for 18-Year-Olds

Why should I do an apprenticeship?

One of the biggest perks of apprenticeships is that you earn a full-time wage for the duration of your scheme while studying towards nationally recognised qualifications, equivalent to GCSEs, A-Levels or even a university degree.

Imagine being 21 and earning, on average, over £30,000 a year. Think of all the things you could buy. Think of where all that money could take you.

You also will get to meet a lot of new people, from your coworkers to mentors and other apprentices. There are so many social perks of doing an apprenticeship.

Apprenticeships are your chance to get ahead of other young people your age. The perfect blend of academic study and full-time employment, you'll have 3-5 years of work experience on your CV before they've finished university.

How do apprenticeships for 18-year-olds work?

Apprentices work full-time and split their time between the workplace and a training centre, college or university. At 18 you will most likely be eligible for…

Who could I work for?

The options are limitless.

Thousands of companies across the UK now offer apprenticeships. Industries you could work in include Accountancy, Design, Finance, Law, Real Estate or Science and Research.

But there are many more to choose from.

What is the youngest age you can start an apprenticeship?

To do an apprenticeship, you’ll typically need to:

• Be over 16

• Have five GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 / A* to C, including English and Maths

• Show you have the ability to complete the programme

Above are the standard entry requirements for apprenticeships, though many employers will accept apprentices onto their programmes without GCSEs.

For 18-year-olds however, you are likely eligible for a higher level apprenticeship, with two A-levels, or a degree apprenticeship with three A-levels.

What if you don’t have any qualifications?

If you don’t have any qualifications, you’ll most likely have to apply for a level 2 or level 3 apprenticeship. These are entry-level schemes that’ll give you a head start in your chosen profession.

As a level 2 apprentice[link], you’ll split your time 80/20. You’ll work for an employer and study towards an NVQ level 2 qualification, as well as a knowledge-based qualification that’s relevant to your industry. From there, you can then begin your climb up the apprenticeship ladder.

Is 19 too old to start an apprenticeship?

Absolutely not! In fact, three-quarters of apprentices in England are aged 19 and over.

Apprenticeships aren’t just for young people. Anyone can do an apprenticeship, regardless of their age. Whether you’d like to up-skill or start in a completely new field altogether, doing an apprenticeship shows employers that you mean business and are serious about your craft.

We live in an era where a job is no longer a job for life. Employers are still facing a massive skills shortage in industries like programming, software development and design engineering, all of which you can do an apprenticeship in.

Completing an apprenticeship as an older candidate will not only improve your employment prospects, it will make you a more competent and highly valued member of the team.

How much does an 18-year-old apprentice get paid?

As an apprentice, you’ll be paid a salary just like any other employee. The exact amount you’ll receive will depend on the company, age, location, and the type of apprenticeship you’re doing.

At the bare minimum, you’ll be paid in line with the National Minimum Wage.

But most employers pay more. Based on the apprentice-written reviews we receive on Higherin, you could be earning yearly:

You'll also be eligible for employee benefits, such as paid holiday and sick pay.

Regardless of the salary, think of this as just the beginning. Apprenticeships open the door to a career early, allowing you to earn more the older and more experienced you get.

How do I apply?

Every school and college in the UK has a specialised Careers Advisor. They are an excellent starting point if you need any support making a decision about your future.

If you've decided that an apprenticeship is the correct path for you, you’re in the right place to find one. Click to search for apprenticeship jobs.

Most apprenticeships open for applications between September and March, with starting dates over the summer to tie in with the school year.

You will also need to prepare an apprenticeship CV and cover letter, as well as swot up on the apprenticeship application process.