What are apprenticeships?

Apprenticeships are jobs with training that allow people to earn while they learn. On an apprenticeship, you will be working towards gaining a nationally recognised qualification. Apprenticeships include elements of on-the-job and off-the-job training, meeting specific employer-led standards. Apprenticeships are available across a whole range of sectors, from administration to engineering through to health and social care, retail, manufacturing and IT.

Once the apprenticeship has ended, there is often the opportunity to gain employment or promotion with the employer where you have completed the apprenticeship. 

In 2020/21, there were 740,400 people participating in apprenticeships in England, with 349,200 apprenticeship starts and 137,200 apprenticeship achievements. 

A short recent history 

Apprenticeship reforms have been underway in England since October 2013. Groups of employers, known as ‘trailblazers’, have worked together to design new, world-class apprenticeship standards that respond to the needs of their industries. 

Since May 2017 all new apprenticeships have been based on the modern standards with the government phasing out the old frameworks. The quality has been improved through higher expectations in English and maths, and more rigorous testing to ensure apprentices are fully competent. Grading at the end of the apprenticeship has also been introduced. 

Significantly, the way apprenticeships have been funded has changed due to the introduction of the apprenticeship levy. Since April 2017 employers with a pay bill in excess of £3 million have been subject to a national apprenticeship levy. This levy is 0.5% of their pay bill minus an apprenticeship levy allowance of £15,000 per financial year. The funds generated by the levy have to be spent on apprenticeship training costs. The government tops up the funds paid by the employer by 10%.

Money from this levy that is not used is placed in a ‘national pot’ and employers with a wage bill of less than £3 million can apply to use it to set up their own apprenticeships. 

Therefore, with these changes and this incentive for organisations to use the levy, this is an exciting time for apprenticeships. Their profile has been raised significantly. The new apprenticeships are in a broad range of sectors from banking to law, and from fashion to the nuclear industry.

The benefits of apprenticeship programmes

Apprenticeship programmes provide proven benefits. For apprentices, it can equip them with the skills, knowledge and experience needed to pursue a successful career. 

• Working alongside studying will mean that you will be able to directly practise what you are learning in the workplace.
• Your employer will pay for the costs of studying.
• You will have gained valuable work experience, leading to you possessing skills and knowledge that can be used across a range of jobs and industries. 

Recent statistics from the most recent Apprentice Panel Survey, published in 2022, found that almost 80% of apprentices who took part in the survey said their apprenticeship has helped them to feel more empowered to have a successful career in their chosen industry. 

The different levels of apprenticeships

• Intermediate – level 2 – equivalent to 5 GCSEs at grades 9-4/A*-C
• Advanced – level 3 – equivalent to 2 A level passes
• Higher – levels 4, 5, 6 and 7 – equivalent to a foundation degree or above
• Degree – levels 6 and 7 – equivalent to a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree.

As mentioned below, a degree apprenticeship means that you will have the chance to get a university degree without paying tuition fees. An article has been written by Prospects on the subject of whether to go to university or to do an apprenticeship.

Higher and degree apprenticeships

Higher and degree apprenticeships are a real alternative to the traditional route to higher education and major companies such as Rolls Royce, BT and PWC are running programmes at these levels. For many, this is an ideal way to avoid student debt, as the education costs will be taken care of. 

The apprenticeship route, although a valid and successful pathway in years gone by, has taken a while to become established as an alternative to full-time study. It is now gaining in popularity as people realise how it can boost career chances, as well as being a cost-effective way of obtaining degree-level qualifications. 

What qualifications do you need to take a degree or higher apprenticeship?

A degree or a higher apprenticeship normally requires A-levels or equivalent so is one obvious route after sixth form/college. (N.B. There are apprenticeships available at levels 2 and 3, demanding lower-level qualifications, and progression to a higher or degree apprenticeship is possible).

What form does the study take?

Degree and higher apprenticeships involve a combination of learning on the job alongside experienced colleagues, with off-the-job training at a college or university, or perhaps a company training centre. 

What qualifications could be available?

If you are offered a higher apprenticeship you would be working towards a nationally recognised qualification, such as a knowledge-based qualification, which could be a foundation degree, level 4 HNC (Higher National Certificate), level 5 HND (Higher National Diploma) or a level 6 Diploma (which is equivalent to a degree). 

In the case of a degree apprenticeship, this will directly lead to you working towards gaining a degree or Master’s qualification. Apprentices might also be able to work towards professional qualifications specific to an industry, for example, engineers can take the first steps towards gaining chartered status.  

Examples of higher and degree apprenticeships

Here are some links to information on or examples of higher and degree apprenticeships in different sectors:

• Accountancy: https://careers.bdo.co.uk
• Engineering and business: https://careers.rolls-royce.com/united-kingdom/students-and-graduates/apprenticeships-and-school-leavers/ 
• NHS: health services and admin: https://www.stepintothenhs.nhs.uk/apprenticeships 
• IT: https://www.capgemini.com/gb-en/careers/career-paths/graduates-and-apprenticeships/apprenticeships/
• Legal services: https://www.lawsociety.org.uk/en/career-advice/becoming-a-solicitor/qualifying-without-a-degree/apprenticeships 

What next?

In England, you can search for apprenticeships – including higher and degree apprenticeships – and apply online through the National Apprenticeship Service website.

For up-to-date listings on which companies are offering higher and degree apprenticeships, you can look here.

Note that much of the information in this article applies to England, but if you want to find out about apprenticeships in the other home nations, see: 

Northern Ireland

Scotland

Wales

© Lisa Stone