Advanced Apprenticeships enable you to study and train toward an advanced Level 3 qualification which is the equivalent of two A-Levels. On completion of your advanced apprenticeship training you will receive an NVQ Level 3 and a BTEC knowledge based diploma which will be in line with the industry you are training in and the specific job role.
Advanced apprenticeships are currently the second most popular in the UK and enables apprentices to be able to attain the required qualifications to advance to either a higher of degree level apprenticeship.
Advanced Apprenticeships qualifying criteria.
To qualifying for a Advanced (level 3) Apprenticeships most employers ask for a minimum of 5 GCSE's which must include Maths and English, this is why an intermediate apprenticeships enables you to gain those qualifications to be able to advance to Level 3.
Although an advanced apprenticeship enable you to attain 2 A-Levels on completion of your training, some employers may request A levels as part of their qualifying criteria for you to be able to start their apprenticeship programme. This maybe because the training programme offers training and study in different topics.
Advanced Apprenticeship training expectations.
As an apprentice you are required to work a minimum of 30 hours per week which includes both on and off the job training. Some apprentice employers may require you to work longer hours of which you will be paid for.
You apprenticeship training will be broken down into two training avenues the first will be on the job training which will take up 80% of your time and the remaining 20% will be allocated to classroom or theory training with either a college, training provider or your employer may opt to become an employer-provider, where they conduct the classroom training
themselves.
What industries offer Advanced Apprenticeships?
Advanced Level 3 Apprenticeships are one the most common apprenticeships available and most apprentice employers and industries offer level 3 apprenticeships supported by a number of training providers and colleges across the UK.
There are currently over 150 different types of apprenticeship training programmes in over 100 industries. They all offer advanced apprenticeships, which includes but not limited to:
• Business Administration
•
Construction Apprenticeships
• Digital Marketing
• Engineering
• Fashion
• Human Resources
• Information Technology
• Legal
•
Utility Apprenticeships
• Pharmaceutical
What is an apprenticeship?
An apprenticeship is a form of further education which offers on the job training for you to gain a nationally recognised qualification whilst studying part-time with an apprenticeship training provider, college or university through workshops or classroom training.
Apprenticeship training has to be delivered by a registered apprenticeship training provider which can also be an employer-provider, where the employer you are training through are on the register of training providers to be able to deliver their own training requirements. If an employer acts as an employer-provider they will usually employ a number of people such as Apprenticeship Assessors, Mentors and Managers to support you through your apprenticeship programme.
During your apprenticeship you will receive a salary and all the other benefits permanent employees receive. An apprenticeship job is only for a specified time as stipulated at the beginning of your apprenticeship training which can last anything from 12 months to 5 years.
To find our more about apprenticeships please refer to our What is an Apprenticeship? guide.
Why should you start an apprenticeship?
If you are considering your post 16 options you probably wouldn't have considered an apprenticeship a few years ago and would be struggling or worrying what to do when you leave school. It is a legal requirement for you to now stay in some form of further education until the age of 18 and you now have three options A-Levels, College or an Apprenticeship.
You can start an apprenticeship at the age of 16 through the Intermediate or Advanced level apprenticeship programmes across many industry sectors from Construction, Technology or even Marketing. There are no entry requirements for the intermediate apprenticeship, however you will need at least 5 GCSE's at grade 4 (previously C grade) or above to qualify for the advanced apprenticeship. On completion of the intermediate you will gain the qualifying criteria for a level 3.
The best reason for starting an apprenticeship is on completion of each level you will receive a nationally recognised qualification from an NVQ all the way up to a degree level apprenticeship such as a Bachelors or Masters.
How can you become an apprentice?
There are a number of ways to become an apprentice so we thought we would list them for you:
- Register with websites like ourselves, there are others available.
- Apprenticeship Job Fairs are great for meeting employers and training providers.
- Contact training providers in your area, a simple Google search "Training providers near me" will give you the information you need.
- Contact your local colleges or universities or visit their websites to see if they offer apprenticeship training.
- UCAS promote apprenticeship opportunities on their website on behalf of employers.
and finally......
- Do some research on apprenticeships and find a topic or industry that you would like to start an apprenticeship in and then research local companies in those sectors and visit their websites to see if they offer apprenticeship training and apply directly with them.
How long do Advanced Apprenticeships take to complete?
An advanced Level 3 apprenticeship can take anywhere between two to four years to complete depending on the
apprenticeship programme and industry you are studying.
Can I do an Advanced Apprenticeship even though I already have A-levels?
You can start your apprenticeship training at the advanced level even if you already have A-levels. In-fact many employers prefer an apprentice starting a higher or degree apprenticeships to have completed the advanced apprenticeships level so they have "on the job training" and are able to start the higher levels with existing knowledge and experience.
FAQs about Advanced Apprenticeships
Can I do more than one Advanced Apprenticeship?
You can do more than one advanced apprenticeship but not at the same time or in the same subject as you can only attain your qualifications once for each apprenticeship programme.
How do I start an advanced apprenticeship?
To start an advanced apprenticeship you would first need to register to become an apprentice with either a website like ourselves or a registered training provider.
What trades offer advanced apprenticeships?
Most industries offer Level 3 apprenticeships but for trade specific you can do plumbing apprenticeships or an electrician apprenticeship with leading facilities companies.
How much do advanced apprenticeships pay?
Pay for advanced apprenticeships varies across the UK, the average pay for apprentices at this level is between £10,000 - £18,000. However the minimum an apprentice employer is required to pay is £4.15 per hour.
When can I start an advanced apprenticeship?
You can start an advanced apprenticeship at any age post 16 as long as you have attained the qualifying criteria.