Preston College Apprenticeship Course Guide

FAQs WHAT IS AN APPRENTICESHIP? An apprenticeship is a great way to learn an industry profession through on-the-job and off-the-job training and accompanying study. As an apprentice, you will work for an employer who will pay you a wage and support your learning. Depending on the level of study, your apprenticeship could be anywhere between 12-48 months. ARE APPRENTICESHIPS AS GOOD AS OTHER LEVELS OF STUDY? The simple answer is YES! An apprenticeship is as challenging as any other type of study within a College or University. You are expected to work a minimum of 30 hours a week as well as studying towards your apprenticeship. Employers recognise the effort required to succeed on an apprenticeship and know that you will have shown a great level of dedication and commitment to your work and studies. You are the type of employee they will be looking for! DO APPRENTICESHIPS HAVE ENTRY REQUIREMENTS? All apprenticeships at Preston College have different entry criteria, depending on the type of programme you are looking to study. All apprenticeships require an initial assessment, interview and employment in the industry. HOW MUCH WILL I EARN? The wage for an apprentice is ultimately determined by the employer and will be dependent on your age and the level of work. The minimum earnings for any apprentice is £4.30 per hour. This will be for the first 12 months of your apprenticeship. If you are over the age of 19 and have completed the first year of your apprenticeship, you will be paid the National Minimum Wage for your age group. Wages are at the discretion of your employer and can also vary depending on what apprenticeship you are doing and/or how long you’ve been on your apprenticeship.If you are upskilling in your current work role, your salary may stay the same. For further information please visit: www.gov.uk/national-minimum-wage-rates *Correct as of April 2021 WHO CAN BECOME AN APPRENTICE? As long as you’re over 16 years old, living in England and not in full-time education, you can become an apprentice. An apprenticeship is a job with training and you must be employed, have a promise of employment or you could be upskilling in your current role. Many apprenticeships, just like other courses will have entry requirements, so please do check these with Preston College. HOWWILL I BE ASSESSED? Assessment is continuous throughout your apprenticeship and will be a mixture of on-the-job and off-the-job training. Most apprenticeships require written assignments, workplace or industry demonstrations and portfolio building. You will also be assigned a work based tutor throughout your training with Preston College who will support and train you through your journey. Depending on the apprenticeship you choose, you may be required to come in to college one day a week. WHAT IF I DON’T SECURE A JOB BEFORE COLLEGE STARTS? Don’t worry. Sometimes it can be hard to find the right role and employer to suit you. However, to ensure you have a place at college in September, we recommend that you accept your full time college course offer as a backup. Our Apprenticeship Specialists will continue to work with you and our employer partners to find you the right job. As soon as we secure employment for you, you can transfer from your college course onto your apprenticeship, no matter how long you have been on the course.