Apprenticeships
What are apprenticeships?
Apprenticeships combine practical training in a job with study. As an apprentice you will:
- work alongside experienced staff
- gain job-specific skills
- earn a wage and get holiday pay
- get time for study related to your role (usually one day a week)
Apprenticeships take 1 to 5 years to complete depending on their level.
Apprenticeships are available in lots of different occupational areas including Business, Engineering, Law, ICT and Construction.
Levels of apprenticeship
| Name | Level | Equivalent education level |
| Intermediate | 2 | GCSE |
| Advanced | 3 | A Level |
| Higher | 4, 5, 6 & 7 | Foundation degree and above |
| Degree | 6 & 7 | Bachelor's or master's degree |
Some apprenticeships may also give you an additional qualification, such as a diploma.
Who can apply?
You can apply for an apprenticeship while you’re still at school. To start one, you’ll need to be:
- 16 or over by the end of the summer holidays
- living in England
- not in full-time education
What can they earn?
The national minimum wage (NMW) for apprentices is £8 per hour. The apprentice NMW applies to apprentices aged under 19 or aged 19 or over and in the first year of their apprenticeship.
National Minimum Wage rates from April 2026
The rates change on 1 April every year. These are the legal minimums your employer must pay per hour:
| Age group | Hourly rate (from April 2026) |
|---|---|
| 21 and over (NLW) | £12.71 |
| 18 to 20 | £10.85 |
| Under 18 | £8.00 |
| Apprentice | £8.00 |
This is the legal minimum pay per hour, but many employers choose to pay a higher actual average wage depending on the industry, sector, or location.
For more detailed information on apprenticeships, please see the following links:
www.gov.uk/apply-apprenticeship
www.unifrog.org/student/apprenticeships/
National Apprenticeship Week 2026, 9 - 15 February 2026
The Essential Guide to apprenticeship support
A Parent’s Guide to Apprenticeships
For more information about Higher and Degree Level Apprenticeships, please visit the Sixth Form section of our website.