Think an Apprenticeship might be for you?

Q: How old do I have to be to start an Apprenticeship?

A: You can do an Apprenticeship if you are 16 years of age or older, are out of secondary education, not a full-time student and not in any other employment.

Q: What does an Apprenticeship involve?

A: Every Apprenticeship is different but typically you’ll be employed by a company full-time (roughly 37.5 hours a week) and come into college on day release one day a week for your lessons.

Q: What subjects can I do an Apprenticeship in?

A: Nowadays the list is expansive. We currently offer Apprenticeships across 13 different sectors including, Hair and Beauty, Catering, Engineering, and Floristry.

Q: Do I get paid for doing an Apprenticeship?

A: Yes! An Apprenticeship is paid training, so you get a qualification at the same time as earning a wage. The minimum weekly salary for an Apprentice is around £130 a week, although some employers pay much more, you could be earning over £300 a week! 

Q: Am I entitled to holidays or annual leave?

A: Yes - it's a legal requirement! You'll get a minimum of 20 days per year, although this may be more depending on your employer.

Q: Do employers value an Apprenticeship on my CV as much as other qualifications?

A: Many employers cite work experience as their top priority when hiring new candidates. An Apprenticeship shows that you’re not only qualified but also that you already have experience of doing the job you’re applying for - something that is invaluable.

Q: What qualifications will I need?

A: You will be expected to have achieved at least 4/C's in both your maths and English GCSE's, or be willing to work towards achieving these whilst on your Apprenitceship (we will help you achieve your maths and English). Some companies may also have additional entry requirments so please check each vacancy carefully!

Q: How do I find an Apprenticeship?

A: Don’t worry, we have a team of experts who’ll help you to find the role you want and help you apply. You can find more information here, or get in touch with them today at apprenticerecruitment@sheffcol.ac.uk.

Q: I've applied for an Apprenticeship programme - how do I find an employer?

A: One of the best ways to find an employer is to check out our live Apprenticeship vacancies. You can also approach companies directly and ask them if they'd be willing to take you on, just remember to get their details if they say yes so the college can get everything arranged for you.

Q: Can I apply for a full-time study programme as well as an Apprenticeship?

A: If you're not sure which route is best for you, or you've applied for an Apprenticeship programme but you're struggling to find an employer to take you on, it might be worth applying to do a full-time study programme too, so you've definitely got something you can start in the coming months. Just be aware that should you enroll onto a full-time study programme you won't then be able to start an Apprenticeship until you have finished your studies.