Are apprenticeships for me?

 

Apprenticeships have been around since the 12th Century when parents may have negotiated a position with a local tradesman or craftsman for a low wage. They become increasingly popular by the 14th Century and were formalised in the sixties and still used today. 

 

Find out more about the History of apprenticeships from medieval craft guilds 

 

Fareport has been around long enough to see some of those changes. Did you know Fareport Training was established in 1981 in order to offer young people a route into work through work based training? 

 

 

An apprenticeship is a job with training. It is a way for existing or new employees to learn and gain valuable skills while they work. Apprenticeships are available across all industries and not only for trades. 

 

Apprenticeships are a great choice if you’re starting the first steps on your career path but also if you are looking to progress in your career with your current employer. They are a combination of classroom and work-based learning. 

 

They have been written by employers, and are based on the Knowledge, Skills and Behaviours you need to be successful in the role. 

 

• You can be any age, 16+ 

• You may already have higher qualification or a degree, so long as you still have significant new learning to gain on the apprenticeship 

• They are not only for new starts – they are available from Level 2 up to Level 7 (equivalent to a Masters) 

• You may be on an apprenticeship or fixed term contract, but can also be on a standard employment contract 

• You will earn at least the national apprentice minimum wage, currently £5.28 per hour (Tax year 23/24), however many employers pay significantly more 

 

 

If you are a levy paying employer (those with a payroll over £3m per annum), the total cost can be paid from your online Apprenticeship Service Account. 

 

For those that don’t pay the levy, 95% of their apprenticeship training costs will be paid by the government, with the remaining 5% paid by the employer, directly to their training provider. Depending on the apprenticeship you will pay as little as £150 and a maximum of £450 for some high-level apprenticeships. (The only exception is for those with fewer than 50 employers who are training a 16-18-year-old where the government will cover 100% of the training cost). 

 

 

Apprenticeships benefit employers and individuals by boosting skills and improving productivity. 

 

It is a way to learn and gain valuable skills, knowledge and behaviours while you work. 

 

The training is specifically tailored to ensure learners develop the skills their employer wants, giving apprentices a real advantage in the workplace. This means that apprentices not only have better long-term salary prospects, but they also have excellent progression opportunities, whether looking to study further or climb the ranks within the workplace. 

 

A key benefit of the apprenticeship is that it is delivered over at least 12 months. The programme is carefully planned so that knowledge is built up slowly, each piece of knowledge building on the last. The learning is embedded when learners put it into practice back in the workplace and receive feedback at each stage. Learners’ knowledge is regularly checked, and new skills and behaviours are observed. The learner works towards a final end point assessment where everything they have learnt comes together. This all works to ensure that the new skills and knowledge will be retained over the long term. 

 

Apprenticeships contain lots of useful theories, models and knowledge. But they are also always practical. The knowledge and theory must be put into context and used in real life scenarios. Learners will be shown the practical application of the content they are learning. 

 

You may also like to read: 

9 Benefits of Apprenticeships 

Employer Guide to Apprenticeships 

 

Or have a look at all our Courses 

 

Contact us to find out more about the apprenticeships available to you.