An apprenticeship is a highly effective system for training a new generation of professionals through on-the-job experience alongside structured accompanying study.

It is designed to give you hands-on practical skills while allowing you to gain a licence or recognised qualification in your chosen field. Apprenticeships are ideal if you are starting your first job, aiming for a promotion, seeking a complete career change, or needing to update your skillset for a new industry role.

For more information, please visit: gov.uk/become-apprentice

You are never too old to start an apprenticeship!

Apprenticeships are not just for school leavers starting their careers. They are a powerful tool for developing your current job role, securing higher qualifications, and pursuing a fresh career trajectory. Embarking on an apprenticeship can reignite your curiosity and drive improvement within your current organisation, making it a valuable route for pursuing missed opportunities or pivoting into an entirely new sector.

An apprenticeship must last for a minimum of 12 months. However, the exact duration varies depending on the level and specific programme requirements, often taking up to 24 months for advanced Level 3 and Level 4 qualifications.

Apprenticeships are structured into levels that correspond to traditional educational equivalents:

• Level 2 (Intermediate): Equivalent to GCSE passes.
• Level 3 (Advanced): Equivalent to A-Level passes.
• Levels 4, 5, 6, and 7 (Higher/Degree): Equivalent to a Foundation Degree and above.

Many of our apprenticeships also encompass an additional integrated qualification, such as a formal diploma.

Off-the-job training (OTJT) refers to the learning that takes place outside of your normal day-to-day work environment but contributes directly to the achievement of your apprenticeship.

This does not necessarily mean the apprentice must be absent from the workplace. It can include dedicated time set aside each week for activities such as classroom learning, coaching, mentoring, online study, role-playing, completing assignments, and work shadowing.

For more details, please visit: gov.uk OTJT Guide

The Apprenticeship Levy is a government initiative aimed at funding apprenticeship training to increase the number of UK apprenticeships. It is only applicable to employers with an annual pay bill in excess of £3 million.

The levy is set at 0.5% of the annual pay bill and is paid to HMRC via PAYE. The funds are held in a digital account, and the government adds a 10% contribution to each monthly payment, which employers can then use to fully fund apprenticeship training.

Non-levy paying employers benefit from 'co-investment'. This means the employer shares the cost of training and assessment with the government.

Under current rules, the employer pays just 5% towards the cost of apprenticeship training, while the government funds the remaining 95% (up to the funding band maximum). Employers can access and manage this funding directly through the Digital Apprenticeship Service (DAS).

Employers manage apprenticeship funding through a Digital Apprenticeship Service (DAS) account. This platform allows you to:

• Access and allocate government funding
• Find, save, and manage chosen training providers
• Recruit new apprentices
• Add and manage existing apprenticeships seamlessly

The Adult Education Budget (AEB) provides government funding for a wide range of training and short courses for individuals aged 19 or above. Eligibility includes:

• Anyone aged 19-23 seeking their first Level 2 or 3 qualification.
• Low-waged learners aged 24 and over attempting to gain their first Level 2 or 3 qualification.
• Unemployed individuals seeking any course or qualification up to Level 2.
• Low-waged individuals whose first language is not English, looking to improve language skills up to Level 2.