Apprenticeships
What is an apprenticeship?
Apprenticeships combine work with practical off the job training and study. Apprentices are employed by their company and will work alongside experienced staff to gain the skills, knowledge and behaviours needed to be fully competent in their chosen occupation.
It is an ideal opportunity for the individual to earn and learn at the same time. An apprenticeship provides on-the-job and off the job training whilst gaining practical skills, but is not intended to be a replacement for an established post. The apprentice works towards a nationally-recognised qualification which must be an apprenticeship framework or standard.
There are more than 250 different types of apprenticeships are available, offering over 1,400 job roles, ranging from accountancy to textiles, engineering to veterinary nursing, business administration to construction. Apprentices can be at various levels including higher and degree apprenticeships. Some are in development, including foundation degrees, HNDs and full honours degrees. These include job roles ranging from legal services to banking and engineering.
Apprenticeships take between 1 - 5 years depending on the level, framework, sector and prior skills.
Who can be an apprentice?
Apprentices can be from age 16 upwards but apprenticeships are not just for young people. Government funding is available at all ages, whether working full or part-time.
Apprentices can be new recruits, whether that’s young people starting out in their careers, people re-training, or re-entering the workforce, or existing staff, for which apprenticeships can be used to upskill or retrain.
Who can be an apprentice?
Apprentices can be from age 16 upwards but apprenticeships are not just for young people. Government funding is available at all ages, whether working full or part-time.
Apprentices can be new recruits, whether that’s young people starting out in their careers, people re-training, or re-entering the workforce, or existing staff, for which apprenticeships can be used to upskill or retrain.
What does an apprenticeship involve?
An apprenticeship includes the following components:
- a knowledge based element
- a competence based element
- functional skills if the apprentice is required to do these
- a module on employee rights and responsibilities
- a module on personal learning and thinking skills.
The training provider who works with the apprentice on their qualification will provide further details and will work with the manager and apprentice to agree the best modules to suit the apprentices’ job role.
What levels of apprenticeships are available?
- Intermediate Apprenticeships - Level 2, typically GCSE leaver and often used as a progression tool to Advanced and Higher Apprenticeships
- Advanced Apprenticeships - Level 3 - typically recruited to from GCSE and A level leavers for more technically advanced or more experienced young people
- Higher Apprenticeships - Level 4 - 7 - foundation degree level and above, typically recruited to with an Advanced Apprenticeship as part of the programme
- Degree Apprenticeships - Level 6 - 7 - delivered in partnership with a university and includes either a bachelors or master’s degree
What are the requirements of an apprenticeship?
Apprentices must be:
- employed in a real job for at least 30 hours per week
- working towards achieving an approved apprenticeship (standard or framework) which will last at least 12 months
- spend at least 20% of their time on off-the-job training (eg mentoring, coaching or completing formal training or qualifications
- paid at least the relevant national minimum wage.
Applying for an apprenticeship
If a young person wants to apply for an Apprenticeship, they will need to register on Directgov's Find an apprenticeship pages.
The website contains plenty of hints and tips relating to apprenticeships including how candidates can work their way through registering, searching and applying for jobs on the Apprenticeship vacancy website.
View the YouTube How to Apply for an Apprenticeship video.
Apprenticeship vacancies with Derby City Council
Derby City Council apprenticeships are advertised on the Find an Apprenticeship website. If you apply to this site, you will be directed to our Derby City Council jobs pages where the application form, job description, person specification and advert for our Council apprenticeships can be found. Tips on completing our Council application form can be found on Guidance on completing apprenticeship application form. For more information on our apprenticeships at the Council see our apprenticeship page.
National Apprenticeship Service (NAS)
The National Apprenticeship Service (NAS) supports, funds and co-ordinates the delivery of Apprenticeships throughout England. This site has all the materials produced by NAS to support schools in helping young people apply for Apprenticeships, this includes:
- Resources for schools and colleges
- Adviser guide and checklist
- Inspiring the future
- Lesson plans and workbooks
- School leavers checklist
- Presentations
- Brochures and posters
- Film case studies
NAS are responsible for increasing the number of Apprenticeship opportunities and providing a dedicated, responsive service for both employers and learners. This includes simplifying the process of recruiting an apprentice through Apprenticeship vacancies, an online system where employers can advertise their Apprenticeship job vacancies and potential apprentices can apply.
The resources for teachers site has all the materials produced by NAS to support schools in helping young people apply for apprenticeships:
- Teachers handbook
- Apprenticeships self-development pack for young people
- 101 amazing apprenticeship activities for schools
- Apprenticeship champion network flyer
- Resources for students and their parents
Where can I get more information?
For further information on apprenticeships at Derby City Council, please contact apprenticeships@derby.gov.uk or 01332 640752.