Apprenticeships

What’s an Apprenticeship?

‘I’m learning from the people I work with. I watch how other people do things at work and think: ‘That could be me in a couple of years.’

‘Apprenticeships move faster than school or college, I’m getting more skills and I’m earning.’

‘I wanted to get a job, get experience and build up my NVQs so an Apprenticeship was just right for me.’

‘For me, it’s not like college or school because I’m learning on the job, learning from people I work with and earning wages.’

Apprenticeships are designed to help young people 16 – 24 to get the skills, knowledge and qualifications that employers want. An Apprenticeship means on the job learning combining work and practical study.

There are two levels:
1. Apprenticeship – this is equivalent to five A – C GCSE passes
2. Advanced Apprenticeship – this is equivalent to two A Level passes.

Apprenticeships are different to college or school – young people are in the workplace developing the skills and knowledge to do a particular job.

Some Apprenticeships feature some time away from the workplace – in a Rathbone centre or a college. It depends on the Apprenticeship.

We work with employers of all shapes and sizes at a local and national level. Our national employers are brand names like B&Q, Jaguar Land Rover, Vodafone, Halfords, Tesco, Farmfoods and WHSmith.

What’s the eligibility for an Apprenticeship?

To be eligible, a person needs to be aged 16 + and without a degree level qualification.

What qualifications can an Apprentice achieve?

An Apprenticeship is a nationally recognised qualification. It’s got three parts:

1. A national vocational qualification (NVQ) at Level 2 or Level 3.
2. The skills that employers want like communications, using numbers and ICT.
3. A technical certificate recognised by employers in a particular area.

What sorts of Apprenticeships are available with Rathbone?

There’s more information on each Apprenticeship by clicking the links here:

Rathbone offers different Apprenticeships in different locations. To find out what’s on offer in your area, click here to find the nearest centre.

How does a young person pick a particular Apprenticeship?

We’ll talk to a young person about what they want to do. We’ll help a young person to make the right choice and if they think they’ve chosen the wrong route at any time during the first six weeks, we’ll help them choose another.

Are qualifications required?

‘At my Rathbone centre, they found the right way to teach me – I’d never been taught that way before. I’m now an Apprentice in business administration in a busy office.’

GSCEs can help but it’s more important for a young person to be focused on learning about a job and wanting to succeed.

We look at each young person individually and give them extra support where they need it. We get really good feedback on the initial advice and guidance that we give young people to support them – they tell us this is one of the best things about Rathbone.

Apprenticeships are different to school or college – they are based in the workplace where learning takes place to develop the skills that employers want. Young people who didn’t enjoy formal learning often thrive with workplace learning.

How long does an Apprenticeship take?

Because apprenticeships are based on demonstrating that someone can do a job to national standards - it very much depends on how fast a young person learns.

On average:
A Level 2 Apprenticeship takes between 12 – 15 months
An Advanced Apprenticeship takes between 18 – 24 months.

Can a young person who’s already in employment do an Apprenticeship?

Yes, if their employer agrees – they usually do because many employers want trained and qualified staff. Rathbone can talk to employers with a young person to explain how it works.

How much does a young person get paid?

‘Working gets me motivated to do things that I want to do like driving lessons and getting my own place.’

In most cases, apprentices are employed from the start of their apprenticeship and their employer will pay them a regular wage – at least £95 a week.

We also offer flexible routes where a young person will do a placement first before we match them with an employer. In this case a young person could get EMA (Educational Maintenance Allowance). Their eligibility depends on their family income.

Can a young person claim travel expenses?

A young person might get travel expenses to their local Rathbone centre or to their placement - Rathbone can talk to you about this.

How many hours is an Apprenticeship each week?

It’s around 36 hours a week. Depending on the type of Apprenticeship, it might include one day a week at a Rathbone centre or at a college learning practical skills for work.

Does an Apprenticeship include holidays?

Yes. When working with an employer, apprentices get paid holidays just like any other employee.

What progression routes are there after an Apprenticeship?

‘It’s worth it – I want to have a good career, have my own place, do things for myself and be independent.’

Advanced Apprenticeships are a qualification for university. And most apprentices who go to university don’t need to worry about student debts.

Who are Rathbone?

‘You have an adult relationship with tutors, you call them by their first name and you get to know them as people.’

Rathbone is a national youth charity developing positive choices for young people.

We’re learning experts – we know that young people learn in different ways, we find the right way for each young person.

Last year, Rathbone helped over 17,000 young people, including over 2,000 apprentices, to learn.