Apprenticeships

Apprenticeships combine practical training in a real job with study. By the end of an apprenticeship, you’ll have acquired the skills and knowledge for your chosen career. Apprenticeships are designed by employers to help you develop the knowledge, skills and behaviours required to fulfil the job role.

Key Facts

1 to 5 Years to complete an apprenticeship

2-7 apprenticeship levels to study

600 apprenticeship standards

What is an Apprenticeship

Apprenticeships take 1 to 5 years to complete depending on their level.

Some apprenticeships may also give you an additional qualification, such as a diploma.

If you haven’t already achieved the required level of maths and English, you will be supported to achieve functional skills maths and English as part of your apprenticeship programme.

An Independent End Point Assessment organisation will assess you at the end of the programme to check that you have met all the required knowledge, skills and behaviours outlined in the Apprenticeship Standard.

What is involved? As an apprentice you will:

be an employee earning a wage and getting holiday pay

gain experience working alongside experienced staff

gain job specific skills you will develop skills relate to your job role

be given time to study at least 20% of your normal working hours will be for training related to your role

undertake study and training at college, work or online depending on the type of apprenticeship you are undertaking

Benefits

earn while you learn rather than remaining in full time education

£4.30 - £8.91 per hour wage rate for an apprentice

You will have a contract of employment and receive the same benefits as other employees working in similar roles.

paid holidays
sick pay
childcare voucher schemes
workplace coaching or mentoring
Opportunity to progress to the next level of apprenticeship programme

Who can apply? To start an apprenticeship you'll need:

to be 16 or over there is no upper limit

to live in England you must be living in England

to not be in full time education you can't start an apprenticeship if you are in full time education

You can apply for an apprenticeship while you’re still at school but you’ll need to be 16 or over by the end of the summer holidays to start the apprenticeship.

You can start an apprenticeship whether you’re starting your career, want a change, or you’re upskilling in your current job. You can have a previous qualification in a different subject area and still start an apprenticeship.

You can apply for an apprenticeship vacancy online, register with a local college or training provider to be notified of any opportunities, or approach an employer direct and suggest they consider employing you as an apprentice.

Search for local Apprenticeship opportunities in Cheshire and Warrington

Start search

Types of Apprenticeships

Apprenticeships are available in 15 vocational areas:

Agriculture
Environmental and animal care
Business and administration
Care services
Catering and hospitality
Construction
Creative and design
Digital
Education and childcare
Engineering and manufacturing
Finance and accounting
Hair and beauty
Health and science
Legal
Marketing and procurement
Protective services
Sales
Transport and logistics

Apprenticeships have equivalent educational levels:

Diagram showing different apprenticeship levels

Local Apprenticeships

Below are some examples of local apprenticeships that are currently being advertised with closing dates in the next few weeks:

Apprentice Dental Nurse, Helsby Dental Surgery, Helsby

Alexandra Academy Trust require a Business Administration Apprentice to provide general clerical support to the school. Closing date: 20 June 2021

Production Planning Apprentice – Honeywell Control Systems Ltd. - Ellesmere Port

The role includes developing daily and weekly production schedules, monitoring factory capacity levels and gathering and analysing data. Closing date 30th June

Office Administrator – Heyland Recruitment – Chester

The apprentice position will allow the successful candidate to experience a wide range of duties and responsibilities. Closing date 30th June

Hairdressing Apprentice – Mode Hair Salon – Chester

You will be learning from experienced industry professionals, you will be assisting clients and colleagues within the salon. Closing date 30th June 2021