An apprenticeship is a full-time job with a blend of ‘on’ and ‘off the job’ training that provides you with the skills you need for your chosen career, whilst also earning a wage. Apprenticeships are available across a very wide range of industry sectors and are an excellent way of gaining nationally recognised apprenticeship skills, knowledge and behaviours, whilst working and gaining real workplace experience.
What is an apprenticeship?
What is the difference between a college course and an apprenticeship?
A college course will require you to attend college most days and study your chosen subject in a classroom with a group of young people learning alongside you. You will achieve a qualification such as A-level, T-level or a vocational qualification.
An apprenticeship is a paid job where you learn while you work, gaining real-life experience and training. Most of your time is spent in the workplace, with some time set aside for off-the-job learning. You can earn recognised qualifications, and some apprenticeships take as little as eight months to complete. It’s a flexible, supported way to start or grow your career, with options to progress to higher levels or even university.
What apprenticeships can I do?
Apprenticeships are available across a wide range of industry sectors and are an excellent way of gaining nationally recognised skills, knowledge and behaviours, whilst working, earning money and gaining real workplace experience. At Cirencester College we offer a growing range of apprenticeship standards in the following sectors:
What levels of apprenticeship can I do?
Apprenticeships start at Level 2 and work up to Degree apprenticeships. At Cirencester College we offer:
Intermediate Apprenticeship
Level 2 - Likely to be a process driven role, typically without responsibility for staff, projects or wider decision making. The role may develop into these areas as the apprentice progresses. This apprenticeship normally takes a year and the apprentice maybe able to progress on to an advanced apprenticeship in their second year.
Advanced Apprenticeship
Level 3 - A role of some responsibility with greater levels of complexity and autonomy. You could expect an apprentice to use their own initiative and be able to make appropriate decisions. They may already have achieved an intermediate apprenticeship and this role is allowing them to develop and progress, the course takes 12-18 months.
What is an apprenticeship standard?
Apprenticeship Standards have been written by employers and industry experts and consist of approved industry-based skills, knowledge and behaviours. Apprentices have a period of learning and development, followed by a series of apprenticeship assessment activities which are conducted by registered apprenticeship assessment organisations.
How are apprenticeships assessed?
All apprenticeships are now ‘Apprenticeship Standards’ and they have an ‘Apprenticeship assessment’ to confirm achievement of the apprenticeship. This assessment can take a variety of forms such as a knowledge test, portfolio of evidence, an interview, project presentation, observation or professional discussion.
What is ‘off-the-job’ training?
Every apprentice is required to achieve the minimum off-the-job hours published for the relevant standard, to support the achievement of their apprenticeship. This is time for you to learn things related to your apprenticeship and support the achievement of your qualification. This can include practical training, job shadowing, mentoring, coaching, industry visits, theory training, online learning, manufacturer training or can be used to spend time writing assignments/assessment or attending College for theory lessons, workshops or masterclasses.
Who is eligible for an apprenticeship?
Anyone living in England, over the age of 16 (who has completed Year 11 at secondary school), and wants to work in a job full-time whilst gaining qualifications, can apply for an apprenticeship as long as they are not already enrolled on a funded learning or training programme such as a college course or another apprenticeship. There is no upper age limit to starting an apprenticeship.
You can do an apprenticeship after GCSEs, after A-levels or even after doing a degree, however in order to access any Government funding, your apprenticeship must be different to your degree or provide you with significant new learning opportunities.
How do I find an apprenticeship?
The majority of apprenticeships are registered on the Government’s National Apprenticeship Service website here Find an apprenticeship – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk). If you know which company you wish to work for, check out their website; most employers promote their vacancies on their websites. The vacancies being offered through Cirencester College can be found here
How do I apply for an apprenticeship?
First you need to find a vacancy (see above). If you have found a job you like, follow the instructions on the vacacny page. If the vacancy is being promoted by Cirencester College, you can call 01285 626259 or email apprenticeships@cirencester.ac.uk and we will be happy to help you to apply.
Can I employ an apprentice?
Any business can employ an apprentice, as long as the apprentice is employed for not less than 30 hours per week.
In addition to recruiting apprentices to your business, an apprenticeship programme can be used as part of a comprehensive CPD programme for employees that have recently changed roles or been promoted.
As announced in the Spring Budget, the government has implemented some changes to Apprenticeship Levy funding to support growth and create opportunities for young people.
Major Apprenticeship Levy reforms from 1 April 2024
- £60 million new investment to enable up to 20,000 more apprenticeships
- Fully funding training costs for new apprentices aged 16 to 21 hired by SMEs
- Increased amount of levy funds that large employers can transfer to support other businesses
- Removal of co-investment costs from non-levy paying employers from April 2024 for apprentices under the age of 22
- An increase in the levy transfer cap from 25% to 50%
- The DfE budget for apprenticeships increasing to over £2.7 billion from 2025
- Apprentice minimum wage boosted to £7.75 an hour, an increase of 21.2%
Hear from our Apprentices
Name of Apprentice: Erin
Type of Apprenticeship: Business Administration
‘My apprenticeship has been invaluable in widening my perspective and challenging me every single day, I am given the opportunity to learn new skills and gain experience which I can now take into any future job. I’ve especially loved working for a non-profit organisation, where I can contribute even in just a small way in supporting our local community.’
Name of Apprentice: Ollie
Type of Apprenticeship: Business Administration
‘My experience as an apprentice has been a great learning curve, coming from sixth form I wasn’t sure of what I wanted to do next. But this apprenticeship really helped me to learn on the job but also grasp what I would like to do in the future, giving me insights into all types of business process. As well as leading my own project for my End Point Assessment, which helped to improve confidence and project management skills. I would recommend doing this apprenticeship to improve your skills knowledge and behaviours you may not even realised that you were capable of.’
Name of Apprentice: Ellie
Type of Apprenticeship: Archaeological Technician
‘I have genuinely loved my time as an archaeology apprentice – this is a subject I have been interested in for a long time and something I am now proud to call my job. This is a job that I feel excited about, and I understand how lucky I am to be able to say that. This apprenticeship has set me up to be in a field that I would not have had another opportunity to be part of. I have really enjoyed working on archaeological sites and experiencing the archaeology first hand. This has been happily supplemented by the tutorials which have been both informative and entertaining(!) – there has been so much that I have been able to take back into my work to better expand my understanding and skills. However, I have enjoyed meeting the other apprentices the most and this has been strongly felt on the field trips. I feel very lucky to be part of a group who have been kind, open, enthusiastic, and compassionate.’
Name of Apprentice: Jamie
Type of Apprenticeship: Digital Support Technician
‘Completing the Digital Support Technician Level 3 Apprenticeship at Cirencester College has really opened my eyes to parts of the job I wouldn’t normally think about in day-to-day work. It’s helped me build stronger ICT skills and sharpen my critical thinking when solving customer issues, which has led to a smoother, more positive experience for the people I support.’
Name of Apprentice: Kirsty
Type of Apprenticeship: Business Administration
‘My proudest moment so far has been stepping up to help run the charity while our operations Manager was on a well-deserved break. It was one of the scariest things I’ve ever done, but I pushed through, learned a lot, and came out the other side feeling more confident than ever. I’ve never been prouder of myself. During my time with the National Foundation for Retired Service Animals, I’ve also grown significantly in my ability to write professional emails and communicate with members of the public. This role has helped me build confidence and develop skills I’m truly proud of.’
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