The idea of apprenticeships is nothing new. Since the Middle Ages, craftsmen have been taking on teenagers, and training them up over the course of several years. At the end of their training period, the apprentice becomes a fully-fledged craftsman themselves, and in turn, takes on their own youngsters to train. Modern apprenticeships share a lot of similarities with their traditional counterparts, but have a number of important differences too. If you’re thinking about a career change, or have a young person thinking about their options after school, here’s everything you need to know about the 21st century apprentice system.

Modern Apprenticeships

Historically, taking on apprentices was limited to trades such as joiners, silversmiths, weavers or shoemakers. The idea was that these sorts of traditional skills took a lot of time to learn. Those sorts of occupations still offer structured training today, but the system has expanded to include occupations which weren’t around 50 years ago, never mind 500 years ago. The system is also regulated. In order for a training course to qualify as an apprenticeship, there has to be a balance between classroom training, and on the job learning. 21st century apprentices could be working in healthcare, graphic design, an office setting, restaurants or in television.

On average, you’ll be spending four days a week at work, and one day at college. Some employers do day release, others expect people to work three or four weeks, then do a week in college. Ask what the arrangements are in your chosen field.

Do I get Paid?

Yes! And that’s one of the aspects of being an apprentice which is most appealing to young people. The pay isn’t as high as it is for fully qualified staff. However, you don’t get paid anything for being a student. Furthermore, you won’t accumulate student debt and have to take out loans to fund your education. Your employer foots the bill. Salary rates for people on an apprentice scheme are set centrally by the government and rise every year in line with inflation. Some industries also pay their apprentices more than the basic government rate. Once qualified, you are free to remain with the company which trained you, or seek more lucrative employment elsewhere.

Finding an opportunity, and applying

So many people are applying for apprentice positions that competition can be fierce. It’s not just school leavers who are attracted by this type of position; graduates and older people might find them attractive too. School careers officers are often a great source of information about what’s happening locally. Anyone applying to do an apprenticeship has to be at least 16, and old enough to leave school. Qualifications will depend on the type of position. In some industries, employers might be happy to take people on without any formal academic qualifications. Others will ask for GCSE or equivalent in English and Maths. There’s usually an interview too, and this can be daunting if you’ve never been through the process before.  Schools and other organisations often arrange interview workshops to help people with interview technique and combating nerves.

Having a DBS check isn’t usually standard for everyone applying to be an apprentice. However, if you’re doing a placement with children or in a hospital, the same rules apply as for everyone else. There is no special procedure for getting a disclosure check for under 18s. If a business is taking on a new batch of students each year, they should be able to guide you through the application process.

After Apprenticeships – What Next?

The length of apprenticeships varies, although two or three years is standard. After your apprenticeship ends, you have a range of options. Employment rates are higher for people finishing a stint as an apprentice than students leaving university or college, and businesses are often keen to keep people on. If not, you have skills which you can transfer into another role or organisation. Some apprentices decide to go on to study at university, and their training often allows them to skip straight into second year of a three year degree. Apprentices might also decide to move into a completely different career, but have two years or more of work experience to draw on, putting the ahead of the competition.