Apprenticeship guide for parents or guardians
What is an apprenticeship?
As a parent you want your son or daughter to get the best possible start in their career and for many young people following the academic route is not for them. Lots of young people want to get straight into the workplace and start earning money, an Apprenticeship allows them to do just that.
As an Apprentice your child will be working for a local business, earning a real wage, gaining practical skills and completing a nationally recognised qualification.
What is the pay?
Find out about national apprenticeship pay and conditions
Why do an apprenticeship?
Apprenticeships are an excellent way of gaining:
- nationally recognised qualifications
- workplace experience
- practical skills and knowledge
- functional skills, problem solving, Maths, English, and ICT
- paid holidays
What’s involved?
Generally, as part of an Apprenticeship the following qualifications will be achieved:
- an appropriate work-based qualification such as a National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) at either Level 2 or Level 3
- a technical qualification relevant to the specific Apprenticeship
- functional skills qualifications, problem-solving, maths, English and ICT
- other qualifications or requirements as specified by the particular occupation.
The majority of these qualifications are achieved through a mixture of on-the-job training and attending taught sessions at the college or training establishment.
How long does it take?
An apprenticeship can take between one and five years to complete, depending upon the level of apprenticeship and the industry sector.
There is no set time to complete an Apprenticeship as they vary widely in content and size. The length of time taken will depend on the sector chosen, the ability of the individual apprentice and the employer's requirements. Apprenticeships typically take between one and two years to complete, depending on the type of framework. There is a minimum requirement of 12 months, so it's important that your son/daughter is  committed enough to see it through.
What are the entry requirements?
- Applicants will be assessed in Maths/English and ICT and interviewed prior to starting on an Apprenticeship programme
- Apprentices need to be committed, motivated, enthusiastic and reliable
Are all apprenticeships at the same level?
No. There are various levels of apprenticeships available. What level your son/daughter starts at would depend on their current qualifications and the opportunities available in the sector they are interested in. The levels are:
- Intermediate apprenticeship (level 2)
- Advanced apprenticeship (level 3)
- Higher apprenticeship (levels 4-7)
- Degree apprenticeship (levels 6-7)