To become an apprentice, you must:

• be 16 or over

• not already be in full-time education

• live in England

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 like a degree and still start an apprenticeship.

If you don’t live in England, check out apprenticeship options in Scotland, Wales, or Northern Ireland.

As an apprentice you’ll:

• learn and train for a specific job

• get paid and receive holiday leave 

• get hands-on experience in a real job

• study for at least 20% of your working hours - usually at a college, university or with a training provider 

• complete assessments during and at the end of your apprenticeship

• be on a career path with lots of future potential

Each apprenticeship has a level and an equivalent education level. You can start an apprenticeship at any level. 

Depending on the level, some apprenticeships may:

• require previous qualifications such as an English or maths GCSE

• give extra training in the English or maths skills needed so you’re at the right level

At the end of your apprenticeship, you’ll achieve the equivalent education level. For example, if you complete a level 3 apprenticeship, you’ll achieve the equivalent of an A level.

There are so many choices open to you when you are considering entering the world of Further education, you might of thought about going to University but don't want the debt that comes with it, you want to earn as you learn and develop the skills that are going to set you up for working in your industry of choice, skills such as meeting KPIs, maturity, working with experienced professionals and so much more don't take our work for it, listen to what others have to say.

Have a watch, reflect, evaluate the choices and ENROL!

As an apprentice you have chosen to join approximately a million other people working in a wide range of sectors, you are amongst other things …

• Ingenuity

• Intellectual

• Decisive

• Imaginative

• Creative

• Inventive

• Talented

You deserve to be recognised for your dedication to the building of the Business World within the UK and for that reason the Association of Apprenticeships is there for you to join Free, it will give you access to events, networking opportunities, development and community.