What is an Apprenticeship?
An Apprenticeship is a job with training. Apprenticeships are a fantastic way of gaining on and off-the-job training, earning money and learning skills for life, all at the same time. With so many people applying for jobs nowadays, businesses are always looking for people with real experience – with an apprenticeship you get that experience while you learn and you get paid.
So what is an Apprenticeship?
An apprenticeship is a real job, with hands-on experience specialised to your chosen career, a salary, and the chance to train while you work. You are treated just like all the other employees, with a contract of employment and holiday leave too.
Our apprenticeship standards are designed with the help of employers in the industry to ensure relevant training and knowledge is integrated. You will have an apprenticeship agreement signed by yourself and your employer and a delivery plan which sits in something called a ‘commitment statement’. Your training will include knowledge and skills for your industry, support you in your job and increase your future employability skills. Dependant on your current qualifications, you may need to complete maths and English functional skills (see entry requirements and information advice and guidance for more information).
All new apprenticeships now conclude with an end-point-assessment (EPA) this is an assessment of the knowledge, skills and behaviours that you have learnt throughout your apprenticeship, this confirms you are occupationally competent. You will only get your apprenticeship certificate after you have passed all the elements of the end-point-assessment (see end-point-assessment section for more information).
We have a wide choice of apprenticeships for you to choose from, from hairdressing to administration or even engineering, and we are always adding more career areas. Whatever career you are looking for, an apprenticeship could be just for you.
A parent’s guide to apprenticeships
Information for parents about the benefits of apprenticeships and the opportunities they provide.
This fact sheet gives parents and guardians:
- An overview of apprenticeships
- The benefits and progression opportunities available
- Information about why an apprenticeship is the right choice for their son or daughter
Eligibility
Who can start an apprenticeship?
To start an apprenticeship, you’ll need to be:
- 16 or over
- Living in England
- Not in full-time education
Entry Requirements
In most cases employers will set their entry criteria based on the role, sector and standard. Many require a minimum of grade 4 or a C in English, maths and ICT. But this can vary from apprenticeship to apprenticeship. Some occupations within the engineering sector will require science at a minimum of grade 4 or C and a grade 5 or B in maths.
If you have not previously obtained the minimum requirements as stated above, dependant on the employer, the standard and your personal circumstances (see information, advice and guidance) we off a truly integrated, bespoke and personal functional skills (maths and/or English) delivery package alongside your apprenticeship standard.
Information, advice and guidance
There are a number of routes to an apprenticeship, for example, you may be applying for an apprenticeship vacancy, be already employed or you may have sourced an opportunity yourself. Whichever way the first step will be to complete an initial assessment and speak to one of our learner engagement team. The assessment is nothing to worry about, it will include a thorough chat about your current skills, experience levels and qualifications, what your long and short-term goals are, and why you want to become an apprentice. You will also complete a maths and English assessment which helps us to see what support you may require if successful. If you do have some previous experience within your chosen sector you will complete a skills scan. If at this point unfortunately you do not meet the employer’s entry requirements, eligibility, or illustrate too much prior knowledge and experience (yes this can happen), we will support you by advising on potential next steps.
If you are applying for a vacancy, there will also be an employer interview. Our engagement team are on hand to support you with interview tips and techniques, remember it is a competitive process so we want you to be as successful as possible. Not everyone can be successful at this point due to the volume of applicants for many of the vacancies, if this is the case we will support you to apply for alternative vacancies, or look at other options available at the Grimsby Institute.
Please telephone 0800 012 6656 or email [email protected] to enquire about specific entry requirements for our apprenticeship standards or to book an appointment.