What is an apprentice?

How are they different from other employees?

An apprentice is someone who learns the skills they need to do a particular job by combining working in an organisation with study either in the workplace or at a training centre. Apprentices gain practical skills by learning the ropes while doing a real job for which they are paid. They also gain a qualification that is recognised by employers and training providers alike.

How you learn

An apprentice studies a set of qualifications called a ‘framework’ that are developed by Sector Skills Councils. Most apprenticeship frameworks follow a standard format that comprises of:

• A National Vocational Qualification (Level 2 for Apprenticeships, Level 3 for Advanced Apprenticeships, Level 4 for Higher Apprenticeships)
• Key transferable skills (such as teamworking, literacy and number skills)
• A Technical Certificate (that tests the practical skills you have learnt)

Your employer will have appointed a learning provider for you to work with. The training provider is responsible for teaching you the knowledge and skills you need to do your job while the employer provides the practical work experience to put those skills to the test. Training can be classroom based, in a workshop or in a workplace, depending on the subject and on the learning provider. Sometimes employers use their own in-house training departments but mostly they will use an external training provider.

If your employer is using a Fair Train training provider then they will use one of the organisations listed in About Fair Train.

What sorts of jobs

Charities and social enterprises offer a wide range of job and career opportunities. There are jobs you can do in a charity or social enterprise that are also found in other types of organisation that help the organisation to run smoothly, such as office and ICT administration. There are other jobs that involve working directly with people, such as youth work and childcare. These too are found in other types of organisation. And then there are also jobs that are particular to voluntary sector organisations, such as community worker. 

Whatever job you do in a charity, social enterprise or other voluntary sector organisation you will be making a difference to people and their communities. You can read more working in the voluntary sector at Working for a charity or social enterprise.

To see the sorts of jobs that you can currently learn to do while working for a charity or social enterprise, see the Search for training section of this website.

To tell us that you are interested in doing an apprenticeship in a charity, social enterprise or other type of voluntary organisation, please contact us.

To find out about existing apprenticeships in charities and social enterprises visit the search vacancies section of the National Apprenticeship Service’s website and enter ‘charity’ or ‘social enterprise’ into the key words box.

Your commitment

Your employer is making a considerable investment in your training so in addition to your work commitments all apprentices are also asked to make a range of commitments to their training programme. These include:

• Agreeing an Individual Learning Plan with all parties who are involved
• Attending meetings with trainers, assessors and verifiers as required
• Attending off-the-job training where required
• Providing evidence of competence
• Keeping a portfolio of the things you learn and achieve while following your apprenticeship.