Become an apprentice: FAQs

Want to find out more?

In this section you will find the answers to the most common questions that apprentices ask. If you can’t find the answers to the questions you have or want to find out more then please contact us and will will reply to you as soon as we can.

Q: Can I be an apprentice if I already have a job?

Yes. If your employer agrees, you can become an apprentice where you work now.

Q: Do I get to choose where I work?

Yes. It’s up to you to choose an employer but learning providers can help you decide. The Fair Train training providers can help you to find a charity or social enterprise to work in.

Q: How do I find out about apprenticeships?

The National Apprenticeship Service also runs apprenticeships vacancies. This is an online system whereby employers and learning providers can advertise and manage vacancies, and potential apprentices can search, apply and then manage their applications for Apprenticeships and Advanced Apprenticeships opportunities anywhere in England.

The system is free and available on the National Apprenticeship Service's website at www.apprenticeships.org.uk.

Q: How do I get started?

If you know that you want to do an apprenticeship in a charity or social enterprise then contact Fair Train or search the current vacancies section at the National Apprenticeship Service's website.

If you are already employed, you may want to talk to your employer or ask a workmate to help you with this.

If you want information and guidance on apprenticeships in other types of organisations, contact the National Apprenticeship Service at www.apprenticeships.org.uk or, if you are aged between 13 and 19 years old, they you can contact the Connexions Direct service to talk about apprenticeships by calling 080 800 13219 or visiting www.connexions-direct.com.

Q: Is an apprenticeship good for my career?

Apprenticeships are definitely good for your career and how quickly you progress. Someone with an apprenticeship earns, on average, £100,000 more than someone without. [A Cost-Benefit Analysis of Apprenticeships and Other Vocational Qualifications, University of Sheffield, 2007]

Some apprenticeships already attract UCAS points or allow you to study for a Technical Certificate. When you've finished your apprenticeship you can carry on working, maybe get promoted or go on to higher education in a college or university.

Q: Is there an upper age limit for apprenticeships?

No. Provided you do not have a degree qualification, anyone over 16 is eligible.

Q: What are my employment rights?

Most apprentices are employed and therefore have the same rights as other employees, including annual leave and maternity pay. To find out more about your rights as an apprentice go to www.worksmart.org.uk.

Q: What are the entry requirements for an apprentice?

Different apprenticeships have different entry requirements. However the most important requirements are that:

You must be living in England and not in full-time education
You must be aged 16 or over
If you took your GCSEs more than five years ago and didn’t gain a top grade (A or A*), or you don’t have good GCSE grades in Maths and English you will need to take a literacy and numeracy test

Q: What will I be paid?

Apprentices do real jobs for real employers. So you are paid while you learn. If you are entering work for the ﬁrst time, you will start earning from day one of your apprenticeship.

Employers must pay apprentices at least £92.50 for a 37 hour week but a recent survey showed that the average wage per week for an apprentice is now around £170 and in some job roles around £210 per week. You may also get additional money for essential books, clothing or equipment, or to help you with a disability. As an apprentice, you will receive the same beneﬁts as other employees in the charity, social enterprise or other voluntary sector organisation you work in, such as pension contributions.

Q: What's the selection process like?

The selection process is just like any other job application process. Individuals are put through a series of interviews and in some cases tests to establish if they are the right fit for the role. The empoyer and / or training provider will interview you.

Q: Who can be an apprentice?

Who can be an apprentice?
Apprentices are not like they used to be. The frameworks are available for all ages although the highest level of funding support for the training is targeted for those aged 16 to 18, for Apprentices who are either 19+ or 25+ there are lower levels of funding support available. Apprenticeship salaries for those that are 16 to 18 start at £92.50 for a 37 hour week as they are exempt from the minimum wage however most employers usually look to pay a reasonable salary within their existing pay structures after an initial trial period.