1. Disability and Skills Unit
Welcome Apprenticeships: Benefits and Challenges 31 January Luke Johnson Modern Apprentice Procurement Hull City Council

2. What is an apprenticeship?
Apprenticeships mix on-the-job training with classroom learning. They provide you with the skills you need for your chosen career that will also lead to nationally recognised qualifications.
As an apprentice you earn while you learn and receive other benefits as well.  
An apprenticeship is a real job.
Most of your training will be delivered in the workplace, so you will learn the skills needed to do your job well.
The rest of the training is given by a training organisation, either at work, off-site (possibly at college) or via e-learning.
You should work for at least 30 hours per week, alongside experienced members of staff to learn the exact skills needed for your chosen career. Apprenticeships take 1 to 4 years to complete depending on their level.

3. Who can do an apprenticeship?
Anybody who is over 16, eligible to work in England and not in full- time education can apply for an apprenticeship. Apprenticeships should be open to anyone, including disabled adults who might reach this stage several years after leaving school.

4. What levels are there?
Intermediate Level: equivalent to five GCSEs Grades A* - C at Level 2.
Advanced Level: equivalent to two A Levels at Level 3 .
Higher Level Apprenticeships; equivalent to Foundation degree, NVQ Level 4 and above
Degree Apprenticeships: leading to Level 6 and 7, equivalent to a bachelor’s degree or master’s degree.

5. How much will I earn?
From April 2017 , apprentices who are under the age of 19 or are in in their first year of an apprenticeship are entitled to a minimum wage of £3.50 per hour. After the first year those aged 18 to 20 earn £5.60 per hour and those aged 21 to 24 earn £7.05. These are the minimum wages.
Apprentices must be paid for all their working hours and for any time they spend on training which is part of their apprenticeship. The training could be classroom based or in the workplace.
Apprentices are also entitled to at least 20 days holiday a year plus bank holidays.

6. Benefits of being an apprentice
Gaining a qualification, training and earning a wage
Formal recognition of abilities in a given field
1-4 years of experience in a role- by the end of which you’ll be an appealing prospect for most employers

7. The opportunity to gain experience and learn new and practical skills:
Microsoft Excel- pivot tables, macros and generating reports
Bespoke software, such as Oracle
Working in a team
Working in different environments

8. Other benefits Appreciated by colleagues
Ability to discuss work and talk to my manager
Regular income
Opportunities to add new skills and experiences onto cv

9. My experience
As a disabled person, I can discuss work and wellbeing issues with my manager. for example if I show signs of exhaustion, my manager understands my needs for taking a break
Reasonable adjustments: I’m on flexible hours and can come early and leave late, or leave early and balance my timesheet another day
I have the opportunity to work in a good environment and in a space I feel comfortable in

10. Challenges of being an apprentice
Pay is lower that an average wage —£3.40 an hour for the first year, regardless of what your age bracket
This has had a sizeable impact on most areas my life– I occasionally have to choose between eating an affordable meal and eating a filling meal
Most apprentices spend a significant part of their pay on travel
It is difficult to save up on such a low wage

11. How apprenticeships can help with getting a job
Both the qualification and the year (or more) of experience look great on a CV
It’s easier to find a job when you already have one
There’s always a chance the organisation you do your apprenticeship will keep you on
I feel more confident

12. For more information https://www.gov.uk/apply-apprenticeship
Apprenticeship helpline :
Telephone: (do inquire about call charges)
8am to 10pm, 7 days a week
has lots of examples of different types of apprenticeship and videos of different apprentice experiences.
On Twitter you can follow
@apprenticeships
@getingofar

13. Thank you