Trades apprenticeships are a popular way to get into the construction industry. For individuals, they’re a way to earn whilst you learn, and apprenticeships also benefit employers by bringing in new talent and skills.

There are thousands of apprenticeship opportunities in the UK. If you’re thinking of applying for trades apprenticeships, check out some of the benefits of becoming an apprentice below.

High job satisfaction

Job satisfaction plays a big part in our day-to-day lives. When you work in a positive and supportive environment, you’ll likely be more motivated to do your job – and enjoy it too!

87% of construction apprentices said that they felt more satisfied in their role after starting their apprenticeship, according to government data.

Good pay progression

Your pay increases as you progress through your apprenticeship. Whilst you’re entitled to at least the apprentice rate when you first start, and then the minimum wage after the first year of your apprenticeship, many apprentices get more than that from the start. Phil, a heating and plumbing apprentice, got £12 per hour from his first day – find out more in our video: Apprenticeships in construction: how Dyno support plumbing talent.

After you’ve finished your apprenticeship, it’s likely that you’ll see your salary rise – recent research found that three in every five apprenticeship finishers got a pay rise and/or a promotion straight afterwards. Most of those people said that this was due to, or helped by, their apprenticeship.

Increased employability

Apprenticeships are designed in conjunction with employers, meaning you can be sure that you’re gaining the skills and knowledge that real businesses are looking for. The employment rate is extremely high amongst people that have completed trades apprenticeships. 98% were in work post-apprenticeship, with the majority being full-time (Gov.uk).

Improved career prospects

Naturally, you can expect to pick up specific skills depending on the trade that you’re doing your apprenticeship in. You could even learn skills that allow you to work across multiple trades, like 80% of tradespeople on Rated People do. But, you’ll also earn loads of other hard and soft skills throughout the course of your apprenticeship. These include IT, communication, teamwork, maths, and English skills. These are all transferable skills that will help your career to progress once you move on from your apprenticeship.

As a result, you’ll have lots of skills that you can use to get a promotion, start up your own business, get a new job at another company or move into further education – the opportunities are endless.

Supportive working environment

Your time on your apprenticeship will be split between working on the job and studying at a training centre. In both cases, you’ll learn from those that are the best in your trade. An apprenticeship is all about learning, and you’ll get support throughout.

Less entry requirements

Anyone that’s 16 and over can do an apprenticeship; there’s no maximum age limit, which makes it a viable option for experienced workers looking to change careers.

Plus, you don’t necessarily have to have qualifications to do a higher level apprenticeship. Some Intermediate and Advanced level apprenticeships don’t ask you for any academic qualifications to take part. Check the job description for any trades apprenticeships that you’re applying for, to see if there are any entry requirements.

Got questions about becoming an apprentice? Check out 15 FAQs in Rated People’s guide to apprenticeships for applicants.

The post Why become an apprentice? appeared first on Rated People Blog.

Apprenticeships are an effective way to get new talent into your business, or to upskill an existing employee. With apprentices helping 74% of employers improve the quality of their service or product (according to the Apprenticeships service), plus the extra government support in place to support businesses hiring apprentices during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, there’s no better time to get involved.

As part of National Apprenticeship Week 2021 (8^th – 14^th February 2021), we’ve put together a guide to 15 frequently asked questions for employers, below. If you’re looking to become an apprentice, check out Rated People’s guide to apprenticeships for applicants instead.

FAQs

1. How do apprenticeships work?
2. What are the benefits of having an apprentice?
3. What are the employer costs of having an apprentice?
4. Are apprentices permanent employees?
5. What employment rights does an apprentice have?
6. Can I offer a part-time apprenticeship?
7. Could I extend an apprenticeships if needed?
8. Can an apprentice be put on furlough or made redundant?
9. Who pays an apprentice’s wages?
10. What apprenticeship employer grants are available?
11. How do I hire an apprentice?
12. Are there any specific requirements or qualifications that an applicant needs to have before becoming an apprentice?
13. Apprenticeship framework – When were apprenticeship standards introduced?
14. What are employer-led apprenticeship standards?
15. What coronavirus (or COVID-19) employer incentives are available for apprenticeships?

How do apprenticeships work?

An apprenticeship is a one to five-year programme, depending on its level. The apprentice will have a contract of employment with the company they’re doing their apprenticeship with. 80% of the apprentice’s time is spent working, whilst the other 20% is spent studying for a formal qualification at a college or training centre.

All apprenticeships offer a nationally recognised qualification, regardless of their level. The apprenticeship levels are:

• Intermediate apprenticeship (Level 2) – the qualification they’ll get is equivalent to five GCSE passes at grades 9-4 or A*-C.
• Advanced apprenticeship (Level 3) – the qualification they’ll get is equivalent to two A-Level passes, a Level 3 diploma or the International Baccalaureate.
• Higher apprenticeship (Levels 4-7) – the qualification they’ll get is equivalent to the first stages of higher education, e.g. a foundation degree.
• Degree apprenticeship (Levels 6 and 7) – the qualification they’ll get is equivalent to a bachelor’s or master’s degree.

What are the benefits of having an apprentice?

1. Get new skills into your workforce

As the employer, you get to choose the specific type of apprenticeship that your business offers. So, it’s a great opportunity to have an employee trained in the right kind of skills that your business needs to succeed moving forward.

2. Improve your staff retention

An apprentice follows a direct route of training. Therefore, they’ll know what their next step is within your business. This means they’re less likely to leave for another opportunity with another business.

3. Support your local community

According to a study into apprenticeships by The Open University, a whopping 91% of UK businesses struggle to find employees with the right skillset. You can help support people in your local area with gaining skills and finding work, by equipping them with the expert training and knowledge that you’ve already got.

What are the employer costs of having an apprentice?

• National Minimum Wage: You’ll need to pay all your apprentices at least the National Minimum Wage, depending on their age. Find out more in the ‘Who pays an apprentice’s wages?’ section of this guide.
• 5% of the apprentice’s training and assessment costs: Read more about this in the ‘How do I hire an apprentice?’ section of this guide.

Are apprentices permanent employees?

No. Once the apprenticeship is over, it’s up to you and the apprentice to discuss whether you’ll continue or end their employment at your company. 65% of apprentices stay with the same employer once their apprenticeship ends, according to government research. So, an apprenticeship is a good way to gain loyal employees.

Watch how Dyno Plumbing uses apprentices to support talent in their local area.

What employment rights does an apprentice have?

Apprentices have the same rights as the rest of your employees do, for the duration of their apprenticeship. This means they’re entitled to:

• Break(s) during the working day – at least one 20-minute break if they’re working more than six hours daily. It’s usually unpaid and can be split up if needed.
• Breaks during the working week – they’re entitled to at least 11 hours of uninterrupted rest between finishing work and starting work the following day. They must also have a 24-hour period of rest in a seven-day period.
• Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) – £95.85 per week (correct at the time of writing) if they’re too ill to work.
• Statutory maternity, paternity, adoption and shared parental pay and leave.
• A minimum notice period, that you (the employer) must give to them if their employment ends.
• Protection against unfair dismissal.
• The right to request flexible working.
• A reasonable amount of time off to deal with any emergencies involving their dependants (partner, child, parent etc).
• Statutory Redundancy Pay.

Can I offer a part-time apprenticeship?

Yes – but, the apprentice must work at least 16 hours per week. Part-time apprenticeships are a great option for those with caring or health needs.  

Could I extend an apprenticeship if needed?

Apprentices can have a ‘break in learning’, if they’re unable to attend training. This could be because of illness on the apprentice’s behalf, you needing to temporarily move the apprentice to a different role where training can’t continue, or if the training provider closes for any reason.

You can start a break in learning for:

• Up to four weeks: Neither you nor the training needs to report the break. The apprenticeship end date stays the same and there’s no change to the payment of training and assessing funding.
• More than four weeks: You or the training centre must report a formal break in learning. The payment of funding to the training provider will be suspended during this time.

Can I furlough an apprentice or make them redundant?

Yes, apprentices can be made redundant in the same way that other staff are. Follow the normal process for making staff redundant. They must get redundancy pay, and can get support from their training provider or the National Apprenticeship Service to help them find another apprenticeship.

Apprentices can also be put on furlough under the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme.

Find out more about how the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme works in our ‘Coronavirus: government support for construction businesses’ blog post.

Who pays an apprentice’s wages?

As their employer, you’ll need to pay each apprentice a salary. The rates are (correct at the time of writing):

16 to 18-year olds:

• £4.15 per hour.

19+ year olds in the first year of their apprenticeship:

• £4.15 per hour.

19+ year olds that have completed the first year of their apprenticeship:

• National Minimum Wage for their age group, which you can find on Gov.uk.

However, you can get grants, incentives and other funding from the government to support hiring an apprentice. The government will also pay 95% of the cost of training and assessment costs for your apprentice, directly to the training provider. Find out more about this in the ‘How do I hire an apprentice?‘ section of this guide.

Find out how taking on two apprentices has helped A.M. Decor keep going.

What apprenticeship employer grants are available?

All employers receive a £1,000 cash grant for hiring an apprentice that’s 16-18 years old. Or, they can be under 25 years old if they have an Education, Health and Care plan. There’s also cash incentives for apprentices of all ages, detailed in the ‘What coronavirus (or COVID-19) employer incentives are available for apprenticeships?‘ section of this guide.

How do I hire an apprentice?

The construction and property industry is one of the top 5 industries for attracting apprentices, with 12% of all apprentices choosing construction apprenticeships over university. Here’s how to attract the best talent available.

1. Choose an apprenticeship training course that fits your business

From asbestos removal operatives to bricklayers, there are hundreds of types of apprenticeship training courses to choose from. You can find one on Gov.uk.

2. Find a training provider for the apprentice to study with

You can find a list of current apprenticeship training courses and the training providers offering them, on Gov.uk.

3. Agree on a total price for the cost of training and assessment with training provider

Speak directly to the training provider to discuss this.

4. Get funding from the government

The amount of money you’ll get depends on whether you pay the apprenticeship levy or not. You only pay the levy if you have an annual pay bill of over £3 million.

If you don’t pay the levy, then you’ll need to pay 5% of the cost of training and assessing your apprentice (point 3), directly to the training provider. The government will pay the rest (95%), directly to the training provider. Find out more about the Apprenticeship Levy.

5. Advertise your apprenticeship

Your training provider can advertise your apprenticeship opportunity on the government’s ‘Find an apprenticeship’ service. It’s also a good idea to share it on your business’s social media accounts – remember, lots of young people only connect with trades businesses online.

We’ve put together top tips for applicants, including how to correctly apply for an apprenticeship, in our guide to apprenticeships for applicants. You can share it on your social media to give advice to anyone that’s applying for an apprenticeship with you!

6. Choose your apprentice

Create a shortlist of the most suitable applicants. Then, you can find out more about each applicant and whether they’d be a good fit for your business through an interview. You can hold interviews over the phone, or using popular video call technology such as Zoom, Microsoft Teams and Skype.

7. Sign your apprenticeship agreement and commitment statement

Once you’ve picked a successful applicant to become your apprentice, you must sign an apprenticeship agreement with them. Plus, you need to sign a commitment statement with both the apprentice and the training provider. You can use the templates on Gov.uk to do this. Alternatively, you can draw up your own versions – find out what details you must include on Gov.uk.

Looking for more hiring tips? Check out our advice on how to hire an apprentice in construction.

Are there any specific requirements or qualifications that an applicant needs to have before becoming an apprentice?

An apprentice can be a new or current employee within your business. Plus, there’s no maximum age limit to become an apprentice. They just need to be aged 16 or over, and not in full time education. If they’re about to leave school, then they can only apply for an apprenticeship with you, if it’s starting in the next academic year. Just make sure they’re aged 16 or over by the end of the summer holiday before the apprenticeship starts.

An applicant may need to have certain formal qualifications before becoming your apprentice. But, this does depend on the level of apprenticeship that you’re offering. The training provider that you choose can advise you on this.

Read more about what each apprenticeship level means in the ‘How do apprenticeships work?‘ section of this guide.

Apprenticeship framework – When were apprenticeship standards introduced?

The government removed apprenticeship frameworks from 1^st August 2020. Instead, all new apprentices must start on an employer-led standard.

Existing apprentices that started their apprenticeship before 31^st July 2020 on a framework can still complete their framework.

What are employer-led apprenticeship standards?

Apprenticeship standards allow employers to set out the skills, knowledge and behaviours required to complete the job. At the end of their apprenticeship, the apprentice will take an independent assessment so that they can show they’ve gained these skills, knowledge and behaviours.

Standards are constantly being published, as they’re developed and approved. You can choose from the ones that have been approved.

Find over 550 existing apprenticeship standards on the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education website.

What coronavirus (or COVID-19) employer incentives are available for apprenticeships?

The government has put together a £1.6 billion into providing funding and support for employers taking on apprentices and other work placements, as part of its new Plan for Jobs 2020. In the Budget on the 3^rd March 2021, the government extended and put more funding into some of these initiatives. The opportunities include:

Apprenticeships

If you take on a new apprentice in England from 1^st April 2021 to 30^th September 2021, you’ll get a £3,000 incentive payment in addition to the £1,000 detailed in the ‘What apprenticeship employer grants are available?‘ section of this guide. They must have started their apprenticeship at some point between 1^st April and 30^th September 2021. You can apply for this incentive on Gov.uk.

The incentive payment can be spent on anything to support your business’s costs of running the apprenticeship – for example, you can spend it on their uniform or use it towards paying their salary. In addition, you don’t have to pay it back.

Traineeships

A traineeship is a skills development programme lasting between 6 weeks and 1 year, for people aged between 16 and 24 years old, or 25 years old if they have an Education, Health and Care Plan. There’s no cost to you for hosting a traineeship. But, you can choose to pay the trainee a wage or expenses.

If you take on a trainee before July 2022, you’ll get a £1,000 cash incentive. Find out how to get started with traineeships on Gov.uk.

Flexi-job apprenticeships

The government is investing £7 million into a new apprenticeship programme that allows apprentices to work with multiple employers within the same sector. FE Week says that the programme is likely to start in January 2022.

As an employer, this means you’ll get to choose from a wider pool of talented apprentices.

Work placements through the Kickstart Scheme

The Kickstart scheme offers 6-month work placements to 16-24-year-olds that are on Universal Credit and are at risk of long-term unemployment. There’s no cost to you if you provide work placements through the scheme, as the government covers:

• 100% of the National Minimum Wage for 25 hours per week, for a total of 6 months.
• The associated National Insurance contributions.
• The employer minimum automatic enrolment contributions.

You’ll also get £1,500 per placement once you’ve confirmed a placement, to pay support overhead costs such as buying a uniform for the trainee.

Checks will be made to show that your business is established, reputable and financially solvent. The government says you’re more likely to be approved if:

• You’ve existed for a while.
• You’ve regularly and recently submitted accounts.
• Your credit score is in a low risk category.
• You have a low probability of imminent business failure.
• You’ve got enough liquid assets to pay your debts.
• You don’t have any recent county court judgments (CCJs).

Check out the government’s tips for making a successful Kickstart Scheme application.

Is hiring an apprentice part of your plans for expanding your business? Grow even further by taking on new work in your area – there’s thousands of new leads waiting on Rated People.

The post Rated People’s guide to apprenticeships for employers appeared first on Rated People Blog.

Whether you’re about to leave school or you’re a seasoned worker looking to change careers, an apprenticeship is a great opportunity to earn money, a qualification and hands-on experience at the same time. So, if you’re curious about whether an apprenticeship’s right for you, check out the answers to 15 frequently asked questions below. Also, we’ve shared the best ways to find apprenticeship opportunities near you.

If you’re an employer looking to take on an apprentice, check out Rated People’s guide to apprenticeships for employers.

FAQs

1. What is an apprenticeship?
2. Who can do an apprenticeship?
3. What are the benefits of an apprenticeship?
4. Are there any entry requirements for apprenticeships?
5. What can I do if I’m not eligible to do an apprenticeship, or want to try out a job role or industry before committing to an apprenticeship in it?
6. How much will I get paid during my apprenticeship?
7. How many hours will I work on my apprenticeship? Can I work overtime?
8. What trades apprenticeships are available?
9. Are there any government initiatives for apprenticeships available?
10. Can I do an apprenticeship during the coronavirus (or COVID-19) pandemic?
11. What does an apprentice’s day look like?
12. How will I be assessed during my apprenticeship?
13. What’s the apprenticeship application process?
14. What can I do after my apprenticeship?
15. How can I find an apprenticeship near me?

What is an apprenticeship?

An apprenticeship is a one to five-year programme (depending on the apprenticeship level) where you’ll have a contract of employment. In addition, you’ll follow an approved study programme. So, your time will be split between doing a real job and studying for a formal qualification (at least one day per week) at either a college or training centre. Some apprenticeships offer additional qualifications too, such as a diploma.

Who can do an apprenticeship?

Anyone – there’s no maximum age limit! You just need to be aged 16 or over, and not in full time education. If you’re about to leave school, then you can still apply for an apprenticeship to start in the next academic year. Just make sure that you’re aged 16 or over by the end of the summer holiday before the apprenticeship starts.

What are the benefits of an apprenticeship?

1. You’ll earn money whilst you learn

You’ll be paid for your normal working hours, as well as the time you spend at college as part of your apprenticeship.

The amount you’ll get paid depends on your age and which year of your apprenticeship you’re in. You can find the pay rates in the ‘How much will I get paid on my apprenticeship?‘ section of this article.

2. You’ll get a nationally recognised qualification

There are four levels of apprenticeships. All of them offer a nationally recognised qualification – some are even accepted internationally!

• Intermediate apprenticeship (Level 2) – the qualification you’ll get is equivalent to five GCSE passes at grades 9-4 or A*-C.
• Advanced apprenticeship (Level 3) – the qualification you’ll get is equivalent to two A-Level passes, a Level 3 diploma or the International Baccalaureate.
• Higher apprenticeship (Levels 4-7) – the qualification you’ll get is equivalent to the first stages of higher education, e.g. a foundation degree.
• Degree apprenticeship (Levels 6 and 7) – the qualification you’ll get is equivalent to a bachelor’s or master’s degree.

3. You’ll get hands-on experience and practical skills

Around 80% of your apprenticeship will be spent at work. This is where you’ll work alongside more experienced staff, including a senior employee who will coach you.

An apprenticeship is a great opportunity to pick up job-specific skills, because you’ll get hands-on experience with tools, programmes and/or software that’s used in the industry that you’re in.

4. You could get national or international recognition and help others

There are plenty of apprenticeship competitions available, where you’ll go up against other apprentices in your chosen industry. Examples include the National Apprenticeship Awards as well as sector specific awards, like the Screwfix Trade Apprentice competition.

There are awards dedicated to apprentices from under represented backgrounds too. One example is the Women in Construction Awards – check out previous winner Amy Eddleston’s story.

You can also become an apprenticeship ambassador for your industry. In this way, you’ll share your story and inspire other people and employers to consider apprenticeships! Get involved in the Young Apprentice Ambassador Network, as well your local ambassador network.

5. You’ll have the same rights as normal employees

As an apprentice, you should have an employment contract which entitles you to the following rights:

• Break(s) during the working day – at least one 20-minute break if you work more than six hours daily. It’s usually unpaid and can be split up if needed.
• Breaks during the working week – you’re entitled to at least 11 hours of uninterrupted rest between finishing work and starting work the following day. You’re are also entitled to a 24-hour period of rest in a seven-day period.
• Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) – £95.85 per week (correct at the time of writing) if you’re too ill to work.
• Statutory maternity, paternity, adoption and shared parental pay and leave.
• A minimum notice period, that your employer must give to you if your employment ends.
• Protection against unfair dismissal.
• The right to request flexible working.
• A reasonable amount of time off to deal with any emergencies involving your dependants (partner, child, parent etc).
• Statutory Redundancy Pay – apprentices can be made redundant. But, you’ll get redundancy pay and support from your training provider or the National Apprenticeship Service to help you find another apprenticeship.

Apprentices can also claim benefits, such as Universal Credit, if they need to.

Are there any entry requirements for apprenticeships?

Yes – and they vary depending on the apprenticeship’s level. You must check the job description for the specific apprenticeship that you’re applying for, as there might be particular qualifications and/or skills required.

What can I do if I’m not eligible to do an apprenticeship, or I want to try out a job role or industry before committing to an apprenticeship in it?

If you don’t meet the entry requirements for an apprenticeship, or you simply want to discover what the industry’s like, then you can do a traineeship. It’s an unpaid course with work experience that gets you ready for an apprenticeship or the workplace. You might get your travel and meals paid for during the course.

You can apply for a traineeship if:

• You’re eligible to work in England.
• Unemployed, with little or no work experience.
• Aged between 16 to 24 with qualifications that are lower than Level 3.

If you’re aged 16 to 17 and are based in Wales, or in S5 or S6 and live in Scotland, then there are programmes available to give you a taste of your chosen industry and provide a foundation for a future apprenticeship.

• Traineeships in England.
• Traineeships in Wales.
• Foundation apprenticeships in Scotland.
• There isn’t a traineeship programme available in Northern Ireland at the moment, but the Youth Training Strategy is currently in the process of developing one.

How much will I get paid during my apprenticeship?

You’re entitled to the apprentice rate throughout your apprenticeship. The rates are (correct at the time of writing):

16 to 18-year olds:

• £4.15 per hour.

19+ year olds in the first year of their apprenticeship:

• £4.15 per hour.

19+ year olds that have completed the first year of their apprenticeship:

• National Minimum Wage for your age, which you can find on Gov.uk.

However, many apprentices get paid more than the apprentice rate. Phil, a heating and plumbing apprentice with Rated People member Dyno, got paid £12 per hour from his first day. Find out more about Phil’s experience on our YouTube channel.

Apprentices earn more than university graduates in many sectors, too. We looked at data from TotalJobs and found that construction apprentices have a 21% higher starting salary compared to graduates. Visit our Trade Advice Centre to check out the rest of our research on career paths: apprenticeships vs. university.

How many hours will I work on my apprenticeship? Can I work overtime?

Apprentices work for a minimum of 30 hours per week, plus one day spent studying at college. You can work overtime, however, if you’re under 18, then you can’t work more than 8 hours per day (40 hours weekly). If you’re over 18, then you can’t work over 48 hours per week. There are some exceptions though, such as for jobs that require 24-hour staffing.

Apprenticeships can also be made part-time if your employer agrees. You’ll need to work at least 16 hours a week minimum. 

What trades apprenticeships are available?

From bricklaying to building surveying, there are hundreds of apprenticeships available in traditional hands-on roles, as well as technical, planning and supervisory roles.

Some examples include:

You can find a full A-Z of apprenticeships on the National Apprenticeship Service website.

Are there any government initiatives for apprenticeships available?

To encourage employers to take on apprentices, the government has invested £1.6 billion into providing funding and support for employers as part of its new Plan for Jobs 2020. Plus, the government extended and boosted some of these initiatives in the Budget on the 3^rd March 2021.

The available opportunities include:

Apprenticeships

All employers get a £1,000 cash grant for hiring an apprentice that 16-18 years old. Or, the apprentice can be under 25 if they have an Education, Health and Care plan.

To support apprenticeships during the pandemic, the government is giving employers an additional £3,000 for each new apprentice they take on in England between 1^st April 2021 and 30^th September 2021. Employers can find out more in Rated People’s guide to apprenticeships for employers.

Work placements

The new Kickstart scheme offers 6-month, paid work placements to 16-24-year-olds that are on Universal Credit and are at risk of long-term unemployment during the coronavirus pandemic. The government covers the total cost of the traineeship, including wages and overheads, so there’s no cost to employers providing work placements through the scheme.

Traineeships

A traineeship is a skills development programme lasting between 6 weeks and 1 year, for people aged between 16 and 24 years old, or 25 years old if they have an Education, Health and Care Plan. The government is investing £11 million to triple the scale of traineeships during the coronavirus pandemic. Employers get a £1,000 cash incentive for each trainee they take on before July 2022. Find out how to get started with traineeships on Gov.uk.

Work coaching and advice

There will be 27,000 work coaches available, as well as a £32 million investment into the National Careers Service which will benefit over 250,000 young people.

Sector-based work academy placements

Triple the amount of sector-based work academy placements will be available in 2020 and 2021.

Employers who want to find out more about the coronavirus employer incentives available to them during the coronavirus pandemic can find more information in Rated People’s guide to apprenticeships for employers.

The government is also investing £8.8 billion into new construction projects in both homes and public spaces across Britain. So, there are plenty of job opportunities for you to continue your construction career in once you’ve completed your apprenticeship.

Can I do an apprenticeship during the coronavirus (or COVID-19) pandemic?

Yes, lots of employers are still offering apprenticeships. This includes those in the construction industry, which is an essential sector in the UK. The industry is taking special steps to prevent the spread of coronavirus on site – find out how in our stories during lockdown from our tradespeople video below.

Of course, you must follow the government’s advice on protecting yourself and others from coronavirus. Also, you need to follow any regional lockdown instructions from your local authority. Visit our Trade Advice Centre for more tips on how to keep safe from coronavirus whilst working.

What does an apprentice’s day look like?

There’s no ‘typical day’ for an apprentice – each day varies! However, you can expect to spend half of your week at work and one day at college, minimum. You’ll also get either:

• Day release – at least one day of study per week, or
• Block release – a full week of study, alternating with weeks of work.

We spoke to some apprentices to find out what being an apprentice is like. Check them out below, in addition to some real-life apprentice stories on other websites:

• Plumbing and heating apprentice: GB Plumbing & Heating.
• Painting and decorating apprentices: Suave Property Care.
• Instrumentation, Control & Automation: Severn Trent Water.
• Administration, Civil Engineering, Gardening etc: Southwark Council.

How will I be assessed during my apprenticeship?

All apprentices take at least two assessments at the end of their training. This is to confirm that they can perform well in the occupation that they’ve been training in.

The assessments could be an observation of you whilst you’re in the workplace. Or, a practical test, a written exam or interview.

What’s the apprenticeship application process?

1. Create your CV and cover letter

Your CV is a written summary of no more than two pages. It lists your skills, education, experience and achievements. Follow the National Careers Service advice on how to write a stand out CV.

2. Submit your application

Visit one of the websites listed in the ‘How can I find an apprenticeship near me?‘ section earlier in this article to do this.

3. Wait!

Make sure to make a note of the closing date for applications for the apprenticeship that you’ve applied for. This will give you an idea of when you should hear back from them!

Apprenticeships.gov recommends applying for more than one apprenticeship at a time, to increase your chances of securing one.

4. Interview

Whether it’s face-to-face, over the phone or on Skype/Zoom – it’s a good idea to prepare for your interview beforehand. Check out these tips on how to get ready.

What can I do after my apprenticeship?

Set up your own business

Lots of qualified tradespeople become self-employed after their apprenticeship – our less experienced tradespeople find about 60% of their job leads on Rated People. Plus, we regularly share lots of tips and tricks on our Trade Advice Centre to help small business owners succeed, such as 5 learnings for one-person businesses. 

Secure a permanent position

65% of apprentices stay with the same employer, according to government research. Once your apprenticeship’s over, it’s likely that you’ll be promoted to a role at a higher level.

Find a new job in a different company or switch job roles

Did you know that 85% of apprentices stay in employment after their apprenticeship? Once your apprenticeship’s over, you’ll have the freedom to move to a similar or related role at another company.

Complete another apprenticeship at a higher level

You can do more than one apprenticeship! For example, if you complete a Higher apprenticeship, then you’ll be able to apply for a Degree apprenticeship.

Go to university

If you complete an Advanced (Level 3) apprenticeship, then you’ll be qualified to apply for a foundation or undergraduate degree at university. Plus, an apprenticeship doesn’t affect your eligibility for student finance. You can search for university courses on the UCAS website.

How can I find an apprenticeship near me?

There are apprenticeships available in big and small companies alike. If you’re interested in working for a specific company, then visit their website to see their current apprenticeship vacancies.

If you don’t have a specific company in mind, you can search for apprenticeships by keyword, distance from you and qualification level on the relevant government websites:

• England – apprenticeships.
• Scotland – apprenticeships.
• Northern Ireland – apprenticeships.
• Wales – apprenticeships.

Plus, the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) offers over 100 construction apprenticeships at Intermediate, Advanced and Higher levels across the UK. Visit the CITB website to find apprenticeship opportunities.

You can also search for more apprenticeships based on the sector you’re interested in and your location on apprenticeships.gov.

If you’re an employer and you’re interested finding out how to hire an apprentice in construction, visit our Trade Advice Centre.

Still got questions about apprenticeships? Or are you simply in the process of applying for one? Comment below and let us know!

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