What is an Apprenticeship?

An apprenticeship is a paid work opportunity for school leavers. As an apprentice, you’ll gain on-the-job experience and professional qualifications. You’ll also be paid a wage and build vital skills relevant to your chosen industry.

Keep reading to learn exactly what an apprenticeship is, how it works, and which apprenticeship scheme might be the right choice for you.

Jump To:

How do apprenticeships work? The four types of apprenticeships Which industries offer apprenticeships? What's the highest-paying apprenticeship? How do you apply?

How do apprenticeships work?

So, your time will be split between gaining hands-on experience and studying for an industry-recognised qualification. Think of an 80/20 split.

Apprentices typically work for:

A minimum of 30 hours a week
30 weeks a year
An apprentice can work part-time depending on their situation.

How your apprenticeship is structured varies from role to role.

Some apprenticeship programmes may require you to work four days a week and study for your qualification on the fifth day, while others involve working full-time for a set number of weeks and then spending an entire week studying.

Employers work in conjunction with colleges or universities to provide the qualifications, and you’ll likely attend these institutions during your study periods.

Regardless, you’ll be paid a salary from day one and be seen as a working employee of a company.

What are the benefits of doing an apprenticeship?

Apprenticeships offer a variety of fantastic benefits. Check out our top 5 below...

EARN WHILE YOU LEARN

An apprenticeship is a real job with a paycheck! You can earn up to £28,000 a year (that’s about £2,000 a month) depending on your age and program.

ENJOY EMPLOYEE PERKS

Besides getting paid, you’ll also enjoy company perks like paid time off, gym discounts, and even healthcare benefits.

UPSKILL YOURSELF

Jump straight into work after school and learn valuable skills in your chosen field that’ll look great on your CV.

GAIN PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS

Spend 20% of your time studying for industry-recognized qualifications, from A Levels to even Master’s degrees.

ACHIEVE YOUR POTENTIAL

91% of apprentices land a job or continue training after finishing. It’s a smart way to kickstart your career, no matter what you want to be.

Read what an apprentice working in construction for MACE thought about their experience:

“I enjoy the fact I can work full time whilst studying one day a week. They make the workload manageable and always ensure I have the support I need to complete what is necessary. I enjoy that every day is different, and I can get out and about daily. Working with new teams and new contractors keeps the job interesting and opportunities to learn never-ending.” Construction Manager, Mace

Read more of our reviews, written by previous apprentices.

READ APPRENTICESHIP REVIEWS

What are the four types of apprenticeships?

There are four different types of apprenticeship programmes - or levels - available: intermediate, advanced, higher and degree level. Each one has different entry requirements and awards you different qualifications.

Let’s break it down.

Level 2 (Intermediate) Apprenticeships

This is your first stepping stone to building a successful career. To get on a Level 2 apprenticeship, you’ll need one or more of:

Two GCSEs (grades 9-4/A*-C)
A T Level foundation year
Recent work experience.

You'll earn a full-time wage while gaining qualifications equivalent to five GCSEs through practical on-the-job training. These apprenticeships typically take 12-18 months to complete and open doors to Level 3 apprenticeships, BTECs, or direct employment.

Not quite ready for a Level 2 apprenticeship, or don't have the qualifications you need? That’s okay. A T-Level Foundation Year will give you everything you need to progress to the next level.

APPLY FOR LEVEL 2 APPRENTICESHIPS

Level 3 (Advanced) Apprenticeships

The next stop on your career ladder, Level 3 apprenticeships are a great option if you’ve:

Recently completed GCSEs
Received five GCSEs (grades 9-4/A*-C).

You'll earn while you learn, combining hands-on work experience with study toward a Level 3 NVQ qualification (equivalent to two A-Levels).

These programs typically take up to two years to complete, though your timeline may vary based on your employer and your own progress.

APPLY FOR LEVEL 3 APPRENTICESHIPS

Level 4/5 (Higher) Apprenticeships

Take your career further with:

Two A-Levels
or a completed Level 3 apprenticeship.

Higher apprenticeships develop your management and industry skills while earning qualifications equivalent to a Foundation Degree, Higher National Diploma, or Higher National Certificate.

Lasting three to four years, you'll split your time between academic study at a higher education institution and hands-on work experience with your employer.

A powerful stepping stone to advance your career and boost your employability!

APPLY FOR LEVEL 4 APPRENTICESHIPS

Level 6/7 (Degree) Apprenticeships

A degree apprenticeship is your ticket to an amazing career without the financial burden!

You’ll earn a Bachelor's or Master's degree, gain work experience and get paid while studying.

While your friends might be racking up £50,000 in student loans, you'll earn the exact same qualification completely FREE, with your employer covering all university fees.

I really enjoy the programme as we get to rotate around the company to see how different departments work and what different projects they work on. This programme has allowed me to complete a Level 7 apprenticeship which lets me build on my knowledge and more of an understanding of data analytics and science to see where I would want to specialise in the future Data Science and Analytics Degree Apprentice, TUI UK & Ireland

APPLY FOR DEGREE APPRENTICESHIPS

Now you know the levels available, which industries offer apprenticeships? Read on to find out.

Which industries offer apprenticeships?

Many of the UK’s biggest and brightest companies offer apprenticeships in a wide range of industries. Below is a list of some of the industries that are currently running apprenticeship schemes…

Accountancy
Agriculture
Banking
Business
Creative
Education
Engineering
Hair & Beauty
Health & Social Care
Law
Medicine
Transport

In short, there are loads, so don’t panic if you can’t see your dream industry there. You can find apprenticeships in 1,500 occupations across more than 170 industries. So you’re bound to find something that fits your career goals.

If you're not sure what sector you'd like to have a career in, you can browse industries here. Let us help you make a decision.

What's the highest-paying apprenticeship?

As you’ve probably noticed from the several times we’ve said, YOU GET PAID. How much you earn depends on the level you choose and your employer. However, as a standard, the Apprenticeship Minimum Wage is over £7.50 per hour. Lots of employers pay much more; here’s a breakdown:

£18,000+

Level 2

£20,000+

Level 3

£27,500+

Level 4/5 (Higher)

£26,000+

Level 6/7 (Degree)

We have loads more where that came from, too. For a full breakdown of salaries by industry, region and sector, click below.

BEST-PAID APPRENTICESHIPS

How do you apply?

If you’ve decided an apprenticeship is for you, great! The application process usually goes something like this...

Application form → CV and cover letter → Psychometric tests → Face-to-face interview or video interview → Assessment centre → APPRENTICESHIP STARTS

Check out our blog on the Application Apprenticeship Journey to make sure you understand what will be expected of you at each stage.

That’s everything on apprenticeships! Ready to dive into the world of work? Check out what’s on offer at Higherin below.

Search for an apprenticeship

So you've decided to become an apprentice. That's great! We have hundreds of roles just waiting to be applied for. We can't wait for you to start your apprenticeship journey.