What's an Apprenticeship?

An apprenticeship is a paid work opportunity for school leavers aged 16+. 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.

Read our full guide to apprenticeships to learn exactly what it is, how it works, and which type of apprenticeship scheme might be the right choice for you.

Jump To:

How do apprenticeships work? The four types of apprenticeships Employer Spotlight: Meet Aldi What's the highest-paying apprenticeship? Which industries offer apprenticeships? Case Study: Meet Georgia How do you apply?

How do apprenticeships work?

You can access an apprenticeship as long as you're aged 16+. An alternative to college, sixth form or even university, they are a popular choice for school leavers that are ready to enter the world of work.

During an apprenticeship, your time will be split between gaining hands-on experience with a company 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.

The structure of your apprenticeship 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 will be seen as a full-time working employee of a company, like any other non-apprentice employee.

What are the benefits of doing an apprenticeship?

There are many reasons to consider an apprenticeship. They 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. You'll gain years of work experience compared to your peers who are attending college or university.

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.

FIND AN APPRENTICESHIP

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 step towards 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) (though some apprenticeships will let you join with no qualifications)
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 MORE INFO ON 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).

These are the perfect apprenticeships for 16-year-olds and above, especially if you've just finished Year 11.

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 MORE INFO ON 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.

These are the perfect apprenticeships to do after A-Levels, and 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. They last for up to 5 years.

While your friends might be racking up £50,000+ in student loans, you'll earn the same qualification completely FREE, with your employer covering all university tuition 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 MORE INFO ON DEGREE APPRENTICESHIPS

Meet the retailer crowned the "Happiest Place to Work" by the Retail Trust: Aldi

Apprenticeships at Aldi are more than just stocking shelves. It's the beginning of an exciting journey where you'll develop valuable skills, grow professionally and take important steps towards your future career. With some of the UK’s most competitive salaries and opportunities across the shop floor and warehouse, Aldi is the perfect place to get started. Here’s everything you need to know about apprenticeships at Aldi.

Why choose an Aldi apprenticeship?

95% of our student community would recommend Aldi to a friend
They’re one of our Top 100 Apprenticeship Employers
You could earn up to £396 per week
Work 30 hours a week
Opportunities all over the UK (vacancies vary by region).

What roles can you do?

There's more than one way in at Aldi. Here's where your journey could start:

Store Apprenticeship

£360+ per week (more if you’re in London)
Programme Length: 12-15 months
30 hours per week
Recruiting all year round (vacancies depend on regional requirements)
Level 2 Retailer Qualification

You’ll get stuck into the world of retail as you build customer service skills, get to grips with stock and tons more. No qualifications or experience needed either, so it's perfect if you're just starting out in your career.

EXPLORE MORE

Warehouse Operations Apprenticeship

£343 per week
Programme Length: 12-15 months
30 hours per week
Recruiting all year round (vacancies depend on regional requirements)
Level 2 Supply Chain Operative Qualification

You'll explore the ins and outs of the supply chain, sharpen your skills with inventory checks, become a pro at warehouse safety, and learn to operate warehouse machinery, all while completing valuable theory work.

EXPLORE MORE

What’s it like to work for Aldi?

Here’s what our student community says about their apprenticeships:

I enjoy my programme, learning new skills every day and improving. My colleagues are very helpful and look after me well. It’s very well organised, and I know what I am doing day to day. Warehouse Operations Apprentice

I love my programme as it’s allowed me to grow as an individual and become part of a team/family of people who work in the store. I’ve been able to push myself to achieve things I didn’t think I could, like being independent by having my own jobs and my own money. Store Apprentice

EXPLORE ALDI JOB REVIEWS

See why students love working at Aldi

From the day-to-day to behind-the-scenes moments, Aldi’s socials give you an inside look at what working there is actually like.

@aldicareersuk We caught up with @DYLANS REVIEWS to see what he gets up to in a typical day as an Aldi Store Assistant! #Aldi #AldiCareers #TeamAldi #JobTok #CareerTok #DITL #DayInTheLife ♬ FEEL THE GROOVE - Queens Road, Fabian Graetz

@aldicareersuk Time for another round of This or That, Christmas edition in our Neston RDC! 🎄#Aldi #AldiCareers #TeamAldi #JobTok #CareerTok #ThisorThat #Christmas ♬ Christmas song "Let's decorate" - 3KTrack

@aldicareersuk We asked Josh, one of our Warehouse Apprentices, for 5 things he wished he knew before joining Aldi. Here's what he had to say... #aldi #AldiCareers #TeamAldi #JobTok #CareerTok ♬ original sound - Aldi Careers UK

Ready to get your career started at Aldi? Recruitment for Aldi's apprenticeship schemes happen throughout the year, so it's worth checking their website for opportunities in your region.

FIND YOUR ROLE AT ALDI

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 of the average yearly salaries at each apprenticeship level:

£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

Apprenticeship Job Reviews

At Higherin, you'll find not only jobs to apply for, but also thousands of job reviews from those who have been there.

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 JOB REVIEWS

Case Study: Meet Georgia, a former apprentice

Georgia started her career journey as a Business Management Degree Apprentice at L'Oréal. She actually found her apprenticeship using our website, Higherin. Now she's making her mark here as a Senior Marketing Executive. Watch her story to find out what she got out of an apprenticeship and her top application tips.

@higherin.apprenticeships Skip to: 00.08 what was your apprenticeship? 00.15 how did you find it? 00.23 did all your friends go to uni? 00.49 what did you actually learn? 01.13 what person thrives doing an apprenticeship? 01.30 advice for students? #apprenticeship #degreeapprenticeship #businessapprenticeship ♬ original sound - Higherin 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.