Apprenticeships

Apprenticeships are increasingly popular as both a Post-16 and Post-18 option and the information below will help to give you a better idea if an Apprenticeship is right for you. Within the Find your Future Careers Programme at The Ashcombe we will support you to learn about apprenticeships through the Apprenticeship Fair, assemblies with apprenticeship providers and ALPS, and at various other events.

An apprenticeship is an opportunity to work and study at the same time. Most of your time is spent doing on-the-job training, and the rest is spent working towards a qualification. You’ll get paid a salary by a company and be part of a team, just like a standard employee, but you’ll also get dedicated study time throughout the week. This may be done either at a college or a university depending on the level of the apprenticeship.

By the end of your apprenticeship, you can progress onto the next apprenticeship level or you may have developed enough to help you succeed in your chosen career.

Apprenticeships - 8 Key facts you need to know

The qualification you can achieve could vary from an equivalent to GCSEs, to a Master’s degree depending on the level of apprenticeship you take. There are different types or levels of apprenticeships depending on where you are in the UK. Each level apprenticeship will have different entry requirements.

Apprenticeship Levels

There are four different levels of apprenticeship:

Intermediate- equivalent to five good GCSE passes. Option at 16 for students who did not achieve 5 GCSE subjects.
Advanced- equivalent to two A Level passes. Option at 16 for those who wish to move onto higher qualifications but who do not wish to stay in full time education for A Levels or BTECs.
Higher- equivalent to the first stages of higher education, such as a foundation degree. Option at 18 after A Level study.
Degree- comparable to a Bachelors or Masters degree. Option at 18 after A Level study.

There are numerous links that will explain Apprenticeships in more detail.