Learn more about taking an apprenticeship with The Skills Network
Looking to learn more about apprenticeships? Nice one, we've got your back! Take a peek at our most frequently asked questions to learn more today.
What is an apprenticeship?
An apprenticeship is a paid job where the employee learns and gains valuable experiences. Alongside on-the-job training, apprentices spend at least 20% of their working hours completing classroom-based learning with a college, university, or training provider which leads to a nationally recognised qualification.
The current apprenticeship standards have been developed by employers and set the criteria
for what is considered as essential skills, knowledge, and behaviour required to carry out
a job role. There is a range of different apprenticeship standards that cover a variety of
different job roles and levels.
How old do I have to be to enrol on an apprenticeship?
To study an apprenticeship with The Skill Network, you have to be aged 16 to 24 years.
Does an apprenticeship allow me to progress within my career?
Yes, the journey doesn’t end once you’ve completed your apprenticeship. A City and Guilds study shows that 33% of employers have seen apprentices reach management positions within their company and over 50% of employers said it took five years or less for an apprentice to reach such a position.
What are the benefits of studying an apprenticeship?
One of the greatest benefits of doing an apprenticeship is that you earn money while you’re learning. That means you’re employed by a company and getting paid to train. When you consider the high costs of going to university, you can see why apprenticeships are so popular.
Our apprentices also tell us they enjoy studying this way because they get to learn in a much more hands-on way than they’d be able to in a classroom or lecture hall
How long does an apprenticeship take to complete?
An apprenticeship takes a minimum of 12 months to a maximum of 5 years depending on the level of apprenticeship and which industry sector you are training. By rule of thumb:
- Level 2 - 12-18 months
- Level 3 - 24 months
- Degree - up to 5 years
How much does an apprenticeship cost?
The total cost of the training will depend on if your company is a Levy or Non-Levy
Employer.
What is the apprenticeship levy?
The Apprenticeship Levy is a UK tax on employers which is used to fund apprenticeship training. Introduced at the start of the 2017/18 tax year, it is payable by all employers with an annual pay bill of more than £3 million, at a rate of 0.5% of their total pay bill.
What if my employer does not pay into the apprenticeship levy?
Non-Levy paying employers will share the cost of training and assessing their Apprentices with the government. Non-Levy paying employers will pay 5% towards the cost of Apprenticeship training with the government paying the rest (95%).
Want to learn more about Apprenticeships with The Skills Network? Check out this page.