Top Reasons to Consider an Apprenticeship

What are the benefits of doing an apprenticeship?

There are lots of reasons why you would do an apprenticeship. Here are three of the biggest:

1) Earn while you learn

That’s right. You could earn up to £27,000 per year (depending on the level you do) while working towards nationally-recognised qualifications like NVQs, HNCs or even a Master’s degree. 

You’ll also get full employee benefits, including paid holiday, a pension scheme, and other perks such as discounted gym memberships, cycle-to-work schemes, or travelcards.

Discover more about how much you could earn as an apprentice:

2) Swap textbooks for the workplace

Not everyone learns the same way. If you prefer getting hands-on experience over spending all your time in a classroom, an apprenticeship could be right for you.

You’ll work with industry experts on projects that have a real impact, giving you the knowledge, skills and confidence you need to succeed in your chosen field.

An apprenticeship is split with 80% of your time learning on the job, with the other 20% working towards your qualifications in the classroom.

3) Watch your career skyrocket

Employers love experienced professionals with a truckload of skills, and you get both. 

Because each scheme is designed around what employers actually need, you’ll get the technical know-how and soft skills required to do the job well. Making you super employable.

In fact, 85% of apprentices stay in employment after completing their programme. And it can lead you towards senior positions in the future.

Don’t just take it from us, this is what one apprentice said about their time as a train driver at Southeastern Railway.

I’ve really enjoyed the Train Driver Apprenticeship from start to finish. It’s been challenging at times, but very rewarding. The mix of practical learning, classroom theory, and on-the-job experience has kept it interesting and helped me build real confidence in the role of driver. I’ve especially appreciated how supportive TfL has been — always approachable, encouraging, and willing to help. Train Driver, Southeastern Railway

Why would you want to do an apprenticeship?

Outside the practical benefits above, there are so many personal reasons why an apprentice might work better for you.

• You learn differently. Not everyone enjoys classroom learning and prefers to get stuck into things and learn in the field. Apprenticeships are all about practical experience.

• You’re ready to start your career. If you know what you want out of life, that’s pretty amazing. For many apprenticeships, you’ll be able to start working as soon as you’re 16 years old and have finished school.

• You don’t want debt. With the average debt to repay after university being around £50,000 (and growing), it’s totally understandable. With apprenticeships, there’s nothing to pay, and you earn a salary the whole time.

Who can do an apprenticeship?

Apprenticeships are open to anyone over the age of 16 and not in full-time education (18 plus if you’re interested in a higher or degree apprenticeship).

There's no age limit either, so whether you're just leaving school or thinking about a career change later in life, you can apply for one.

You'll need some basic qualifications to get started (usually GCSEs), but the exact requirements vary depending on the level you’re interested in. Let’s break it down:

• Level 2 (intermediate). Two GCSEs (grades 9-4/A*-C)

• Level 3 (advanced). Five GCSEs (grades 9-4/A*-C)

• Level 4/5 (higher). Two A Levels or similar (like a completed Level 3 apprenticeship)

• Level 6/7 (degree). Three A Levels between A* and C

Apprenticeships vs A-Levels

Most students go on to do A-Levels, BTEC Diplomas or even T-Levels after their GCSEs, but loads of you are choosing to do an apprenticeship instead. If you’re still unsure, let’s break it down a little.

Still weighing things up? Read our full guide:

Apprenticeships vs university

You’ve probably been told that university is the main route to career success. While that’s true for some careers, it’s not the only path to consider.

Some careers might not need a degree

Certain professions do require a degree. But most don’t. There are over 600 apprenticeships available across a wide range of industries, including engineering, accounting, marketing, law, and tech. 

We have loads of industry guides that explore all the routes to a successful career. Check them out.

Think about the full picture

You’ll finish university with a degree, but often with up to £50,000 in student loan debt and limited work experience (especially if your degree doesn’t include a placement year or you don’t do an internship).

Apprentices, on the other hand, earn money whilst being trained in skills that employers want. You’ll finish an apprenticeship with full qualifications and up to five years of work experience.

Ever considered a degree apprenticeship?

If you’re still torn, there’s a solution for that too: degree apprenticeships. These programmes let you study for a degree while working full-time for a company.

Your employer covers your tuition fees and training costs, so you’ll graduate from your programme entirely debt-free.

Can I go to university after doing an apprenticeship?

Absolutely. Once you’ve completed a higher apprenticeship (Level 4/5), you can apply for university, a degree apprenticeship or a job.

And if you’re already at uni and want to do apprenticeship after, you totally can. Level 7 degree apprenticeships are like doing a Master's, so it's a natural next step. The basic rule is that you need to be learning something new. So if you've already got a degree in animal care, you wouldn't be able to do a Level 4 apprenticeship in the same subject.

Deciding what to do after school or college is a huge decision, especially if you’re not sure what career you want yet. And that’s completely normal.

The good news is that apprenticeships are now widely recognised as a valid alternative to university. What really matters is choosing the path that’s right for you.

Still exploring? That’s fine, too. We have lots of advice if you’re just starting out. Check it out below: