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Are you a parent looking for more information about apprenticeships? Check out the #SEEDIFFERENT website for further support.

What is an Apprenticeship?

Apprenticeships are paid positions where apprentices gain valuable on-the-job experience, working alongside industry specialists, whilst also studying for a qualification.

What hours will Apprentices work?

It is important for people to understand and recognise that an apprenticeship is a real job with real responsibilities! Apprentices will work for at least 30 hours per week, whilst receiving a salary, and learning the exact skills needed for their chosen career.

Where is the training completed?

Most of the training will be delivered in the workplace (work-based learning) with the rest provided by a training provider, either at work, off-site or via e-learning. *It is important to note, apprentices must dedicate 20% of their working hours to off-the-job training. Please discuss this with your training provider.

What salary can an Apprentice earn?

The minimum salary for an apprentice is currently £3.90 per hour for those aged 16-18. This rate of pay also applies to those who are 19 or over in their first year of an apprenticeship. Once they have completed their first year, apprentices aged 19 or over will be entitled to National Minimum Wage.

Many people choose apprenticeships as an alternative pathway to a career. Offering a competitive salary may ensure you get the best candidate. Tameside Council currently advocates a minimum of the age appropriate National Minimum Wage for apprenticeships. (See table below) *The National Minimum Wage for apprentices is not relevant for Higher Apprenticeships.

Additional Support for Care Leavers

Care Leavers will receive an amount of £1,000 via their training provider when they commence an apprenticeship.  If you are a care leaver, please speak to your training provider for advice and support to receive your entitlement.  The funds are created to support with travel expenses, appropriate work related clothing, initial budgeting for the apprenticeship and the world of work. 

What are the different types of Apprenticeships?

There are over 280 types of apprenticeships available, suitable for hundreds of different jobs in around 170 different industries. Apprenticeship frameworks can be divided into the following 15 technical routes:

Accessing apprenticeships in these routes could allow apprentices to gain skills in careers such as; nursing, web development, civic engineering, pharmaceuticals and many more! For a full list of live apprenticeship vacancies see the Government Apprenticeship Website

• List of Apprenticeship Standards

• List of Apprenticeship Frameworks

What are the different levels of Apprenticeships?

As an apprenticeship is a viable and alternative route to further, higher education and a career, it is possible to gain qualifications at degree level without the debt associated with university fees. Apprenticeship levels provided below:

Did you know?

• 85% of Apprentices stay in employment after participating
• 32% of all apprentices receive a promotion within 12 months
• 75% of those in work reported they are taking on more responsibility
• Employers believe qualified apprentices are 15% more employable