Apprenticeships offer an alternative route to work and qualifications, allowing individuals to learn while earning. Apprentices divide their time between working and completing training with an employer, college, university, or online provider.
Pay rates for apprentices vary. Individuals under 19, or those aged 19 or older but in their first year of an apprenticeship, receive at least the apprentice rate of £8 per hour. Apprentices over 19, or who have completed their first year, are entitled to the appropriate minimum wage for their age, which is £10.85 for 19 and 20-year-olds, and £12.71 for those aged 21 or above. Employers can choose to pay more than these legal minimums.
Apprenticeships are available in a wide range of industries, including business, engineering, construction, healthcare, digital, hospitality, and creative sectors. They are offered at various levels, such as Intermediate (GCSE standard), Advanced (A-level standard), Higher (foundation degree or above), and Degree (bachelor's or master's degree) in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Scotland has Foundation, Modern, and Graduate levels.