To start an apprenticeship you must be aged 16 or over and not in full time education. There are three levels of apprenticeships, starting with those designed for young people with average GCSE grades, working up to those with A levels or an Advanced Diploma.

• Intermediate Apprenticeship – Level 2 (equivalent to 5 GCSEs grade 9-4):
  This level provides the skills and qualifications needed for your chosen career and allow entry (if desired) to an Advanced Apprenticeship. To be accepted, applicants need to be enthusiastic, keen to learn and have a reasonable standard of education.
• Advanced Apprenticeship – Level 3 (equivalent to two A-levels):
  To start at this level, you should have five GCSEs (at grade 4-9 or A*-C) or have completed an Intermediate Apprenticeship. This will provide the skills and qualifications needed for your career and allow entry (if desired) to a Higher Apprenticeship or degree level qualification.
• Higher Apprenticeship – Level 4/5 (equivalent to a Foundation Degree, HNC/HND or degree):
  To start at this level, you should have a Level 3 qualification (A-Levels, Advanced Diploma or International Baccalaureate) or have completed an Advanced Apprenticeship.

Coventry College offer apprenticeships from level 2 to level 5.

There are lots of benefits to doing an apprenticeship. Apprentices earn while they learn and they learn in a way that is best suited to them. As an apprentice you will:

• Earn a salary, plus paid holidays
• Get paid while attending college
• Receive training and gain qualifications at no cost to you
• Develop the skills you need for a range of exciting careers
• Have the opportunity to progress to degree level
• Boost your future earnings potential

Apprenticeship training can take between one and four years to complete, but the length of an apprenticeship depends on it’s level, the industry in question and the skills the apprentice already has.

Your salary will depend on the industry and type of apprenticeship you choose.

You can find the current minimum wage for an apprentice aged 16-18 here, however many employers pay more than this.

If you’re aged 19 or over and have completed the first year of your apprenticeship, you’re entitled to the national minimum wage for your age.

You can browse the apprenticeships we offer at Coventry College here and register your interest for the course you’re interested in.

Once you have chosen the apprenticeship subject you want to study, you can find your own employer or the College can help you search for employment options. We have great links with local employers, and can offer advice on CV writing and interview tips.

To increase your chances of success, you could:

• Phone, email or walk in to give in a copy of your CV to businesses to show interest. Many companies will get a lot of CVs emailed to them, so calling ahead and visiting the company may increase your chances of being successful. Approaching companies in a professional manner creates a good first impression.
• Offer to do work experience in your chosen industry. This gives the employer a chance to see you working, whilst you gain valuable experience to add to your CV.

Once you have found an employer, come and speak to us; we can talk to the employer about what they need to do next and support them through the process of employing an apprentice.

We offer an Advice Shop where anyone can drop in for impartial advice on careers.

If you have a query about apprenticeships you can find out more from the Gov Apprenticeships webpage, ask a Careers Adviser who comes into school (if applicable) or speak to a Careers Adviser from the National Careers Service on 0800 100 900. The National Careers Service also offer webchat, texts and other means of getting in touch as listed on their Contact an Adviser webpage for young people.

Starting an apprenticeship could affect your family’s benefits. It’s counted as full time, paid employment as part of the household income.

• Parents will no longer be able to claim Family Allowance if the apprentice is 19 and under
• Apprentices have to pay for their own sight tests, prescriptions and glasses although everyone under 18 still gets free dental treatment

There is help available for apprentices on a low income, for example:

The NHS low income scheme
Apprentices NUS discount card

If you need any further information then please contact us here.