What Are Apprenticeships?

Written on 2nd, July 2025

When you hear the word apprenticeship, you might imagine someone in a hard hat learning on a construction site. While that’s one possibility, apprenticeships have grown far beyond traditional trades. Today, they offer a wide range of career routes – from digital marketing to healthcare, finance to fashion, and everything in between.

So, what exactly is an apprenticeship?

A Job with Training

An apprenticeship is a real job where you earn while you learn. You’re employed by a company, working alongside experienced staff, and studying towards a nationally recognised qualification – usually for one day a week (or in blocks, depending on the programme).

In short:

• You work and get paid

• You receive training from professionals

• You gain hands-on experience

• You finish with a qualification (often equivalent to GCSEs, A Levels, or even a university degree)

Who Are Apprenticeships For?

Apprenticeships are open to anyone over 16 – whether you’re leaving school, changing careers, or looking to upskill in your current job. They’re especially popular among those who prefer learning by doing, or who want to avoid university debt.

There’s a common myth that apprenticeships are only for people who didn’t do well at school. That’s far from the truth. Many employers now recruit apprentices as an alternative to graduate schemes, and some apprentices even go on to gain a full degree – without paying tuition fees.

Levels of Apprenticeship

Apprenticeships come in different levels, depending on your experience and the job role:

• Intermediate (Level 2) – Equivalent to 5 GCSEs

• Advanced (Level 3) – Equivalent to 2 A-levels

• Higher (Level 4/5) – Foundation degree level

• Degree (Level 6/7) – Full bachelor’s or master’s degree

You don’t need to start at the bottom – if you already have qualifications or experience, you can jump in at a higher level.

Why Choose an Apprenticeship?

• Earn a salary – You’re paid while you learn.

• Gain real experience – You’ll build the skills employers actually want.

• Get qualified – You’ll finish with a respected qualification.

• No student debt – Your training is paid for by your employer and the government.

• Boost your career – Many apprentices stay with their employer or land great roles elsewhere.

What’s It Like Day-to-Day?

Most apprentices split their time between working on the job and learning through a training provider, like a college or independent provider. You might spend four days a week with your employer and one day learning off-site – or complete your training in blocks throughout the year.

You’ll be treated like a regular employee – with holiday, sick pay, and all the usual rights. But you’ll also have support from a mentor and your training provider to guide you through.

Final Thoughts

Apprenticeships are a brilliant way to get into work, earn money, and gain valuable qualifications. They combine the best of both worlds: learning and doing. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to change direction, an apprenticeship could be the path that gets you where you want to go – debt-free, experienced, and job-ready.

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