5 things you need to know before applying for an Apprenticeship

An Apprenticeship can be a fantastic way of getting you the skills and experience you need to break into the job market full-time, but the process of applying for an Apprenticeship is a little different than applying for a study programme or a regular job.

Here are five things you should consider before applying for an Apprenticeship…

 

WHEN CAN I START?

Unlike our full-time study programmes, Apprenticeships don’t have to start in September, meaning that you can start as soon as you finish school if you want to.

The key is to check the start date on the Apprenticeship vacancy (most have a start date within a month or so of being listed) – so just make sure you’ll definitely be available.

The good news is we launch new vacancies with new start dates throughout the year, so keep checking our website for our latest vacancies.

 

HOW MUCH WILL I GET PAID?

There’s not really a fixed amount for how much each Apprentice will get paid – whilst there’s a minimum wage for Apprentices, most employers will set their own hourly rate.

Currently, the minimum hourly wage for Apprentices aged 16-18 is £4.15 (this is also the case if you’re 19+ but in the first year of your Apprenticeship). Everyone else is paid the appropriate minimum wage for their age – check the Gov.uk website for more info.

It’s worth noting that a lot of employers tend to pay more than this, but always check the vacancy description for details!

 

FINDING A VACANCY

If you’ve decided that an Apprenticeship is for you, you’ll want to know how to go about applying for one – but don’t worry, the process is easy. Click here to view our live Apprenticeship vacancies and have a browse through until you find one that you like the sound of (don’t worry if there isn’t one listed in your industry today, we add new vacancies regularly so keep checking back!).

Hit apply, enter your details and click submit – we’ll handle the rest!

 

THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS

Once you’ve submitted your application, our team of recruitment specialists will pick it up and let you know it’s been received. They’ll check your application through before inviting you for a chat and a quick skills test.

If you're suitable for the role you've applied for, we will send your application to the employer who will make a decision. If you’re successful, you’ll be invited to an interview (or two) before hopefully getting a job offer and enrolling on your Apprenticeship programme with us.

 

WHAT CAN I DO WHEN I FINISH AN APPRENTICESHIP?

When you finish your Apprenticeship you’ve got a couple of options. You could:

● Level up! Progress to the next level of your Apprenticeship programme (e.g. finish a Level 2, start a Level 3)

● Undertake a higher level Apprenticeship (known as Higher or Degree Apprenticeships) which will give you a qualification at the same level as university

● Study at university after the completion of an Advanced Level Apprenticeship

● Pursue full-time employment

 

READY TO TAKE THE NEXT STEP?

For more information about Apprenticeships, to search for a vacancy or to speak to someone from our Apprenticeship Recruitment Team you can…

● Click here

● Email us at apprenticerecruitment@sheffcol.ac.uk

● Give us a ring on 0114 260 2600