What is an Apprenticeship?
An Apprenticeship is a genuine job and under all circumstances an Apprentice will be employed from day one. Apprenticeships combine practical training in a job, along with study.
An Apprentice will:
- Work alongside experienced staff
- Gain job-specific skills
- Be given time for study related to their role
Is there any support available to find an Apprenticeship?
At East Coast College we have our own designated Apprenticeship team who are in regular contact with local companies and will be aware of any available Apprenticeship opportunities. If an employer doesn’t have a suitable candidate, we will support them to advertise their opportunity on the Find an Apprenticeship website.
The Find an Apprenticeship website is where many current apprenticeship vacancies are advertised, including those being offered in conjunction with East Coast College. If you wish to apply for a vacancy you will, if you haven’t already done so, need to create an Apprenticeship account to access this impartial national service.
Do I have to find my own employer?
The other option is to send out your CV to employers (in the industry that you are interested in) with a covering letter explaining that you are looking to undertake an apprenticeship.
The National Careers Service provide information, advice and guidance to help you make decisions on learning, training and work; if you need any assistance in updating or creating your CV, visit the how to write a CV webpage.
If an employer is willing to invest their time and resources in training an Apprentice, they may ask you to complete an unpaid work trial to ensure you possess the desired personal attributes and are suitable for the role.
If you do find an employer who is looking to take you on as an Apprentice, please email the Apprenticeships team at apprenticeships@eastcoast.ac.uk and we can support you with the process.
What Apprenticeship levels are available?
| Name | Level | Equivalent Educational Level |
|---|---|---|
| Intermediate | 2 | 5 GCSE passes at grade A*- C or 9 – 4 |
| Advanced | 3 | 2 A level passes/Level 3 Diploma/ International Baccalaureate |
| Higher | 4 and 5 | Foundation degree and above |
| Degree | 6 and 7 | Bachelor’s or Master’s degree |
What is the minimum wage for an Apprentice?
Apprentices earn a wage and get holiday pay. The minimum wage depends on your age, and at what point in your Apprenticeship you are. The Apprentice national minimum wage applies to Apprentices of all ages in the first year of their Apprenticeship. After the first year, Apprentices will be entitled to the national minimum wage for their age. You can get all the details about pay and much more on the National Minimum Wage website.
Do I have to attend college?
Apprenticeships in the below sectors have mandatory college attendance:
- Engineering
- Motor Vehicle
- Welding and Fabrication
- Management
- Construction
- Building Services (Electrical/Plumbing)
- Hairdressing
- Catering
If you do not have the required English and/or maths grade, additional attendance for Functional Skills will be mandatory for all Apprenticeships.
How long does an Apprenticeship last?
Each Apprenticeship has its own bespoke duration. These range from 15 to 48 months.
I’m aged 19+, can I do an Apprenticeship?
There is no age limit for an Apprentice. We have Apprentices of all ages studying on programmes.