What is an apprenticeship?
An apprenticeship is a job with training. It is a great way to learn in a professional environment 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 salary and support your learning.
Your wage will be at the discretion of your employer. The minimum apprenticeship wage is £4.30 per hour. This wage is paid for the first 12 months of your apprenticeship. After that you will be paid the National Minimum Wage for your age group. However, in some instances employers will pay you more than the National Minimum Wage.
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
An apprenticeship is as challenging as any other type of study within college or university. You will be expected to work a minimum of 30 hours per week as well as study towards your apprenticeship. Future employers will 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 employee they will be looking for.
There are a multitude of apprenticeships on offer and at Preston College, we are proud to offer a full range of apprenticeships from Level 2 to Level 5 and in a variety of areas, from Business and Professional, through to Science, Pharmacy and Health.
Your apprenticeship level will be determined by your current qualifications, work experience and the apprenticeship you are doing. You will undertake an initial interview with our Apprenticeship Team who will speak to you about the apprenticeship you wish to study.
Apprenticeships are a little different to other methods of study in how you will be assessed. During an apprenticeship, you will be assessed throughout through a mixture of on-the-job and off-the-job training. Most apprenticeships require an element of written assignments, work place or industry demonstrations and portfolio building.
You will also be assigned a work based tutor throughout your training who will support and train you through your journey.
Anyone can be an apprentice – as as long as you’re over 16, living in England and not in fulltime education. In fact, more than half our of apprentices with Preston’s College are over 19 years of age!
