Breckland School

Apprenticeships

What you need to know…

An apprenticeship puts you in the job, working towards a qualification relevant to this. During an apprenticeship you will be employed by the company with a salary. They are available for anyone 16 and over in England who are not in full time education. An apprenticeship trains you for specific role.

Apprentices earn national minimum wage, are entitled to paid holiday and bank holidays.

Research from the government shows that the majority of individuals who complete an apprenticeship stay in employment (85%).

The National Apprenticeships Service (NAS) provides information and tips on apprenticeships.

You will have on the job and off the job training. The on the job training will be with your employer, working alongside colleagues to develop skills. The off the jobs training is learnt away from the workplace. This often happens at a college and the training provider supports with this.

Our neaco Higher Education Champion Kit Marie Rackley is also an apprenticeship specialist, and can provide further help and support for Year 10 and 11 students who are interested in that pathway. The neaco Take Your Place website has an apprenticeship portal, explorer tool and podcast, and students can email Kit Marie directly.

Women at work: female apprentices / Men at work: male apprentices: the apprenticeship. Most exciting projects. Proudest moment. Female inspiration.


Traineeships:

This can be used a preparation for an apprenticeship. The course includes experiencing a working environment. They range from 6 weeks to 1 year, with the majority being for less than 6 months. Unlike an apprenticeship, you do not get paid, but they may provide expense payments- travel and meals, for example.

If you have the skills and experience required to complete an apprenticeship, a traineeship may not be the right path.


Website links