Apprenticeships offer the opportunity to learn and gain nationally recognised qualifications whilst getting a weekly wage.

There are more than 180 Apprenticeships available across more than 80 industry sectors. They include accountancy, business administration, construction, engineering, manufacturing and many more.

The length of apprenticeships varies, but most last between one and two years, though some take up to five. How long it takes will depends upon the profession chosen, the learner’s level of ability and the employer’s needs. 

Download a report on Apprentices produced by the LLN Forum

Download the Foundation degree forward (fdf) report Apprenticeships and the role of Lifelong Learning Networks here in PDF

Programme Led Apprenticeships
These are available for students who wish to do an Apprenticeship but haven’t yet found an employer. It means that the students begins studying at college before moving onto an Apprenticeship with an employer.

Money
Apprenticeships with employers earn at least £95 a week, sometimes more. If the Apprenticeship is programme led then there is the opportunity to apply for Education Maintenance Allowance, depending on the student’s circumstances.

Qualifications
Apprenticeships (and Advanced Apprenticeships) can lead to:

• a National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) at Level 2 or Level 3
• Key Skills qualifications such as Problem Solving or Using Technology
• (in most cases) a Technical Certificate such as BTEC or City & Guilds Progression Award
• other qualifications required for particular occupations

The National Apprenticeship Service

NAS was announced in January 2008 and officially launched in April 2009. The NAS will assume total responsibility for the delivery of Apprenticeships which includes: Employer Services, Learner Services, and a web-based vacancy matching system.

The NAS website gives examples of the different types of apprenticeships that are available. For more information, please visit our web page Types of Apprenticeships.

Download the NAS prosectus for 2009 here in PDF

Progression for Apprentices
The qualifications that are gained as an Apprentice can also help with progressing to higher education. The Directgov website holds some useful information on this.

In March 2009, the Skills Commision published a report entitled 'Progression Through Apprenticeships'. The report discusses numbers of Apprenticeship students continuing with education after their apprenticeship. It is available to download here .

Action on Access have published two reports on the use of vocational qualifications as a pathway into higher education.

Progressing to Higher Education: Vocational Qualifications and Admissions, March 2006 

University Admissions & Vocational Qualifications: Two Years On, June 2008 

A joint strategy to support the development of employer involvement in higher education - PDF

Aimhigher
Progression for Apprentices is a key feature of many Aimhigher programmes and examples of partnership work in this area include: 

Greater Manchester
Greater Merseyside
Stafford
South Yorkshire
London West

Other Useful Links

Aimhigher Practioners

Learning Skills Council Apprenticeships