What is an apprenticeship?
On an apprenticeship you're employed to do a real job while studying for a formal qualification - as a day-/block-release for classroom-based learning within the College or in the workplace with regular assessor visits. By the end of your apprenticeship, you'll hopefully have gained the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in your chosen career or progress to the next apprenticeship level.
An Apprenticeship includes:
- Paid employment with holiday leave
- Hands-on-experience in a sector/role of interest
- At least 6 hours per week off-the-job training
- Formal assessment which leads to a nationally recognised qualification
Not sure where to start?
Find an Apprenticeship Vacancy on our live vacancies page here.
Qualification information can be found at the end of this page, this outlines a complete list of our Apprenticeships and the relevant course information - remember you can't apply directly as you must find a vacancy first.
You have options
Did you know… you can change jobs and continue the same apprenticeship course – you won't have to start your studies all over again, we will have to agree that the new employer is suitable.
Apprenticeship wage
What the Apprentice earns will depend on the industry, location and the level of Apprenticeship they choose.
If aged between 16 and 18 or in the first year of the Apprenticeship, the Apprentice is entitled to the Apprentice rate. If the Apprentice is 19 or over and has completed the first year of the Apprenticeship, they are entitled to the National Minimum Wage. This is the minimum an Apprentice can earn; many employers offer their Apprentices a competitive salary.
There are no student loans or tuition fees for an Apprenticeship because it is funded by the government and the employer.
The Apprentice will need to cover the cost of their day-to-day expenses, such as lunch and travel, however many employers offer a competitive salary to support this.
Why an Apprenticeship?
Apprenticeships provide a unique opportunity for anyone looking to advance their career. You'll be able to undertake in-depth training relevant to the role you're working in while earning a wage!
Apprenticeships, unlike university or college, provide a mix of hands-on experience and tutor-led learning and, by the end of your Apprenticeship, you'll have all the skills you need to undertake your role on your own and progress your career even further.
Click here to view our full list of apprenticeships we offer.
Who can apply?
An Apprenticeship is a great paid work opportunity for people over the age of 16 in England who are:
- Early in their career
- Looking to upskill in their current job
- Looking for a career change
- Not in full-time education
- Have lived continuously in the EEA, Switzerland, Gibraltar or the UK for the past 3 years
Entry requirements for apprenticeships in England
An apprenticeship is a real job, so you’ll also need to meet any other criteria set out by the employer. Entry requirements are different depending on the employer and the role and will vary per vacancy. Make sure you read the vacancy carefully and get in touch with the Apprenticeships Team if you have any questions.
Remember, it’s not all about qualifications. Employers will be looking for the willingness to learn, passion, and transferrable skills you could bring to the role.
What types of Apprenticeships are available?
There are three levels of Apprenticeship:
Level 2 | Intermediate Level Apprenticeship (equivalent to five A* GCSEs)
Level 3 | Advanced Level Apprenticeship (equivalent to two A-Levels)
Levels 4, 5 & 6 | Higher Apprenticeship (Foundation degree level)
An Apprenticeship can start at any level, but some may require:
- Previous qualifications such as English or maths GCSEs
- Additional training in English or maths to ensure the Apprentice is at the right level
Contact the Apprenticeship Team
Not sure where to start or have a question about Apprenticeships?
Contact the Apprenticeship Recruitment Team to help get you started.
Call: 01522 876284 or Email: apprenticeships@lincolncollege.ac.uk
Watch a video giving an overview of apprenticeships here:
Take a look at potential careers:
Our Career Coach site includes other useful tools such as CV Builder and a self-assessment questionnaire which help you relate your hobbies and interests to how they can relate to the world of work.
