Are Apprenticeships for me?

History of Apprenticeships

Apprenticeships have been around since the 12th Century, when parents might have arranged positions for their children with local tradespeople or craftsmen for a low wage. They became increasingly popular by the 14th Century and were formally structured in the 1960s — a model still in use today.

Find out more about the history of apprenticeships from medieval craft guilds to the modern day.

Fareport has been around long enough to see many of these changes firsthand. Did you know Fareport Training was established in 1981 to provide young people with a pathway into employment through work-based training?

What are apprenticeships today?

An apprenticeship is a job with training. It enables new or existing employees to learn and gain valuable skills while they work. Apprenticeships are available across all industries — not just trades — and offer opportunities at all stages of a career.

They’re ideal both for those starting out and those looking to progress with their current employer. Apprenticeships combine classroom-based and work-based learning. They are written by employers and focus on developing the Knowledge, Skills and Behaviours needed to succeed in a given role.

Who are apprenticeships for?

• You can be any age, 16 and over
• You can already have higher qualifications or a degree — as long as there is significant new learning to gain
• They’re not just for new starters — apprenticeships are available from Level 2 up to Level 7 (equivalent to a Master’s degree)
• You may be on a fixed-term apprenticeship contract or a standard employment contract
• You’ll earn at least the national apprentice minimum wage (£5.28/hour for tax year 23/24), though many employers pay more

Who pays for the apprenticeship?

If you’re a levy-paying employer (i.e. with a payroll over £3 million per year), the cost can be fully covered using your Apprenticeship Service Account.

For non-levy payers, 95% of apprenticeship training costs are covered by the government. The employer pays the remaining 5% directly to the training provider. This could range from as little as £150 to a maximum of £450 depending on the level of the apprenticeship.

For employers with fewer than 50 employees training a 16–18-year-old, the government will cover 100% of the training cost.

What are the benefits of an apprenticeship?

Apprenticeships benefit both employers and individuals by boosting skills, enhancing productivity, and improving career prospects.

• They offer a way to gain knowledge, skills and behaviours while working
• The training is tailored to develop the exact skills employers need
• Apprentices enjoy better long-term salary prospects and clear progression opportunities

One of the key benefits is that apprenticeships are delivered over a minimum of 12 months. The training is carefully structured so knowledge builds gradually. Each new concept builds on the last, and learning is reinforced through real-world application and regular feedback.

Throughout the programme, knowledge is checked, and new skills and behaviours are observed. The learner ultimately works toward a final End Point Assessment, bringing together everything they’ve learnt.

Apprenticeships aren’t just theoretical. While they include useful models and knowledge, they’re also highly practical. Learners are shown how to apply what they’ve learnt in real-life scenarios — making it stick long-term.