Apprenticeships: What Parents Need to Know

What actually is an apprenticeship?

In a nutshell, an apprenticeship is a real job with a real wage, primarily designed for young people between the ages of 16-25.

An apprenticeship is a way for young people to earn while they learn, combining practical work experience with structured training to gain nationally recognised qualifications. 

It’s a paid job with real responsibilities, designed to help them build valuable skills in a chosen career, whether that’s healthcare, engineering, digital, construction, or many other industries. 

Apprenticeships offer an alternative to GCSEs, A-Levels and university, with no tuition fees, and provide a clear route into long-term employment or further professional development. For many young people, it’s a confident step into the world of work with support, structure, and real potential.

You can read about apprenticeships in greater depth by clicking below.

Who can apply for an apprenticeship?

Apprenticeships are open to anyone who is:

• 16+

• Living in the UK

• Not in full-time education

If your child doesn’t feel ready to take on an apprenticeship just yet, T-Levels may be a good in-between option.

How do apprenticeships work?

An apprentice spends 80% of their time working for an employer and the rest of their time working towards professional qualifications.

These qualifications can include:

• Functional skills. GCSE level qualifications in English, Mathematics and IT

• National Vocational Qualifications (NVQs). from level 2 (equal to five GCSEs) up to level 7 (postgraduate degree level)

• Technical certificates. BTECs, City and Guild Progression Awards

• Academic qualifications. Higher National Certificate (HNC), Higher National Diploma (HND), foundation degree or the equivalent of a Bachelor’s degree.

What does an apprentice’s schedule look like?

An apprentice will typically spend ONE day a week studying in college or with a training provider. And FOUR days working alongside experienced professionals, developing their industry knowledge and soft skills on the job.

In some cases, apprentices may be required to work on a full-time basis for consecutive weeks, with extended breaks or ‘block releases’ to attend college.

Do all companies have the same system?

If the scheme is with a small or medium-sized company (SME), they will likely send the apprentice to a local college to earn their qualifications. Larger companies will either keep their training in-house or use an external training provider.

How long do apprenticeships last?

Apprenticeships can last anywhere from one to six years, depending on the level the apprentice is studying at. They have been divided into four tiers to suit different ages and abilities:

• Level 2 - Intermediate

• Level 3 - Advanced

• Level 4 or 5 - Higher

• Level 6 or 7 - Degree

The level of apprenticeship that students can apply for all depends on what qualifications and experience they already have.

Confused about what level your child should be applying to? Read on…

What do the different levels mean?

Each apprenticeship level equates to a different educational level, with degree apprenticeships offering 18 to 19-year-old school leavers a chance to get a paid-for Bachelor’s or Master’s degree whilst they work.

Intermediate (Level 2)

Equivalent to: GCSEs

Age group: 16+

Entry requirements: Over 16 and not in full-time education

Programme length: 12-18 months

Advanced (Level 3)

Equivalent to: A Levels

Age group: 16+

Entry requirements: Three GCSE passes or equivalent (e.g. intermediate apprenticeship)

Programme length: 18-24 months

Higher (Levels 4 & 5)

Equivalent to: Foundation degree / first year of undergraduate degree

Age group:18+

Entry requirements: Five GCSE passes plus relevant Level 3 qualifications (e.g. A-Levels, BTEC National or a Level 3 NVQ)

Programme length: 3-4 years

Degree (Levels 6 & 7)

Equivalent to: Bachelor’s or Master’s degree

Age group:18+

Entry requirements: Three A-Levels or equivalent

Programme length: 3-6 years

Who funds apprenticeships?

Apprenticeships are co-funded by the government and the employer, providing apprentices with a debt-free route into their chosen career. 

This is possible because of the apprenticeship levy. Introduced by the government in April 2017 to replace all taxpayer funding of apprenticeships, the levy is designed to encourage more employers to hire apprentices.

Any business with a PAYE bill of over £3 million per annum is required to pay into the levy. This money goes into a pot, which employers have 24 months to claim back and spend on approved apprenticeship training and assessments. 

If they don’t use it, they lose it. Any unclaimed levy payments are then up for grabs for other employers or put towards funding apprenticeships for small, non-levy paying companies.

Small businesses that do not pay the levy (less than 50 employees) contribute just 5% towards the training, whilst the government covers the rest.

How much do apprentices get paid?

As well as gaining priceless work experience, apprentices are paid a salary for the duration of the programme.

As with most jobs, the amount varies depending on the role, sector and level of study. However, all apprentices are paid the National Minimum Wage or above. 

As the National Minimum Wage changes every year, it's worth keeping an eye on the government website to know the exact amount. 

However, from the reviews on our website, these are the average yearly salaries:

• Level 2 (Intermediate): £18,100

• Level 3 (Advanced): £21,000

• Level 4/5 (Higher): £27,500

• Level 6/7 (Degree): £26,000

Perks

Apprentices are entitled to the usual employee perks like paid holidays (a minimum of 20 days plus bank holidays), sick pay and enrolment on a pension scheme. 

For exclusive discounts on restaurants, gym memberships and transport, they can apply for a TOTUM card.

Bursary

Young care leavers (aged 16-24) will also receive a £1,000 bursary payment to support them in the first year of their apprenticeship.

How will it affect my Child Benefit?

Your Child Benefit stops on 31st August on or after your child’s 16th birthday if they leave education or training. It continues if they stay in approved education or training, but you must tell the Child Benefit Office. GOV.UK

If your child leaves full-time education to start an apprenticeship, they are no longer considered your dependent. As such, families of apprentices are currently not entitled to financial support. 

This includes any child maintenance you may be receiving through the statutory system and may also impact your working tax credits, housing benefit and/or council tax reduction.

You will need to inform the Tax Credit Office and the Child Benefit Office about any changes to your circumstances. If you do not, you may be overpaid and have to pay the money back.

The matter of whether or not apprentices and their families should receive the same assistance as college and university students has been much debated in parliament. This could change in the future, so make sure you stay in the loop by checking GOV.UK’s website for updates.

Is my child guaranteed a job at the end?

90% of apprentices go into work or further training after completing an apprenticeship, and two-thirds get hired permanently by their employer. The average length of time an apprentice stays with Siemens is 26 years!

In order to address skills shortages in the UK economy, the government has empowered employers to develop their own apprenticeship standards and qualifications.

As such, employers design each scheme to transform fresh-faced school kids into highly employable professionals by equipping them with the skills their industry needs.

So, whilst there is no legal obligation to offer them a job, if an apprentice performs well in their role, it is likely the employer will really want them to stay on as a permanent employee. After all, they’ve invested a lot of time, effort and money into them.

How many hours a week does an apprentice work?

As per the law for all workers, an apprentice works a minimum of 30 hours a week and a maximum of 48 hours (or 40 for those who are under 18). This includes any time spent studying at college or in training.

Apprentices are also entitled to at least one 20-minute break for every six hours they work, and at least 11 hours off between shifts.

In exceptional circumstances, for example, if an apprentice has caring responsibilities, part-time apprenticeships can be agreed by the employer, at a minimum of 16 hours per week.

Do apprentices need to relocate?

If your child is worried about missing out on the ‘university experience’, they may want to consider applying to apprenticeships further afield.

Lots of employers pay their apprentices enough money to rent their own place. Some programmes even provide accommodation, whilst others may require apprentices to carry out their training at a residential training centre.

The Honda Institute Apprenticeship Scheme, for instance, asks all their apprentices to complete their training in blocks of one week, from two up to eight times per year at the Honda Institute Centre of Excellence near Reading.

If they would rather stay closer to home, our location-specific ‘Featured Jobs’ service means your child can search for jobs near them by entering their postcode, town or city. They can then select whether they want to find an apprenticeship within one, five or ten (or more) miles.

How to find apprenticeships

Is your child interested in applying for an apprenticeship? Point them in the direction of the following so that they can find the right scheme for them:

• Use Higherin’s search function to browse our current apprenticeships

• Use the government’s Find an Apprenticeship tool to search by keyword

• Apply directly through the employer’s website.

New vacancies open up all the time, with employers recruiting throughout the year, so encourage your child to keep their finger on the pulse by checking these sites on a regular basis.

They can also sign up to Higherin to be first to hear about new job opportunities, events, competitions and more via email.