What is a Level 2 Apprenticeship?

Level 2, or intermediate, apprenticeships are the first stop aboard the career train and an opportunity for you to start working for an employer - and earning a salary - straight after school or college.

These apprenticeships combine on-the-job training with academic study, allowing you to gain nationally recognised qualifications like an NVQ Level 2 or a BTEC Diploma and develop key soft skills.

A Level 2 apprenticeship will take between 12 to 18 months to finish, and you’ll be doing real tasks and getting involved in real projects that can make a real difference.

So, if you’re looking for the next step and want to pave the way for a bright future, read our guide to level 2 apprenticeships.

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What entry requirements do you need? What is a Level 2 apprenticeship equivalent to? Which companies offer Level 2 apprenticeships? Do you get paid? How do you apply?

What entry requirements do you need for a Level 2 apprenticeship?

The entry requirements for level 2 apprenticeships vary from scheme to scheme. Most intermediate apprenticeships only have a couple of entry requirements:

You must be over 16 years old
Not in full-time education
Show that you are capable of completing the programme.

You can see that most of these schemes don't require GCSEs. Employers don’t need you to be an expert. After all, an apprenticeship is designed to teach you the skills and knowledge to succeed in your chosen career. Show interest and enthusiasm in your application, and you’ll be accepted to the scheme.

For more information, read our article on apprenticeships without GCSEs.

However, some companies will ask for two or more GCSEs graded at 9 to 4 (A* to C). If you don’t have GCSEs in Maths or English, you’ll take these during your apprenticeship with their support.

If you’re not quite ready for a Level 2 apprenticeship, you could get on to a T-Level Foundation Year. This is designed to help 16-19-year-olds develop the skills, knowledge and experience needed to progress to a T-Level or level 2 apprenticeship.

What is a Level 2 apprenticeship equivalent to?

Once awarded, a Level 2 apprenticeship is the equivalent of getting five GCSEs graded at 9 to 4 (or A*-C). Already got these? You can go straight on to a Level 3 apprenticeship.

Once you’ve completed your Level 2 apprenticeship, you’ll gain an invaluable head start in your career and can either continue onto a Level 3 apprenticeship or move into full-time employment.

APPLY FOR LEVEL 2 APPRENTICESHIPS

Do you get paid for a level 2 apprenticeship?

Yes! As a Level 2 apprentice, you'll earn a proper wage throughout your entire programme. You're legally entitled to at least the National Apprenticeship Wage, but here's the good news: most employers offer much more than this minimum.

Based on our apprentice-written reviews, Level 2 apprentices earn around £18,000 per year on average.

Your pay can vary significantly depending on your chosen industry, apprenticeship type, and location, so it pays to explore your options! For example:

IT apprentices typically earn around £24,500 in their first year
Marketing apprentices can expect about £23,500 per year

Location matters, too. Apprentices in London earn approximately £21,580 yearly, while those in Scotland earn around £19,600.

Want to discover which apprenticeships offer the highest earnings? Check out our Highest Paid Apprenticeships for all the details.

Which companies offer Level 2 apprenticeships?

Apprenticeships have grown considerably in the past few years, with employers making it their life mission to find talented apprentices. So, in short, there are hundreds of companies, but here are a few:

ALDI

Aldi isn’t just a supermarket, it’s a whole business hiring young talent across several departments, including HR, marketing and logistics.

AIRBUS

It's all about innovation. As an apprentice, you can kickstart a career in aerostructures, mechanical systems and electrics for aircrafts.

SAVILLS

As a frequenter of our Top Apprenticeship Employers, Savills offers some of the best work experience in real estate the UK has to offer

Want to know about the best places to work? Check out our Top Apprenticeship Employers, in conjunction with the Department for Education. We ask apprentices what they think of their work experience, they leave reviews, and we get the Top 100.

TOP APPRENTICESHIP EMPLOYERS

Read what a Level 2 apprentice working for the Co-op thought about their scheme:

“I have learnt how to interact with grieving families and how to deal with challenging situations. I have also learnt how the embalming process takes place and the impact it has on the deceased. I have learnt how to be more empathetic and understanding of people's situations and that all families are ultimately different and follow different cultures and religions. Funeral Arranger (Level 2), Co-op

Read more of our reviews, written by previous apprentices.

READ LEVEL 2 APPRENTICESHIP REVIEWS

How do you apply?

Applying for an apprenticeship? Fantastic news.

To start, you’re going to need a CV that’s tailored for an apprenticeship application. Check out our guide to Apprenticeship CVs, which has a FREE downloadable CV template.

If you’re unfamiliar with the application process, that’s okay. It goes a little something like this:

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

Read our guide to the apprenticeship application process. And then you're ready to apply to your first scheme!