Apprenticeships – Learners what you need to know!

With more than 130,000 employers already offering Apprenticeships within the UK, it’s not hard to see why Apprenticeships are increasingly being recognised as the gold standard for work-based training. With proven results and excellent government funding options there has never been a better time to gain the specialist skills that different employers and employees need through the attainment of nationally recognised qualifications with Somerset Skills & Learning (SS&L). 

Whether you are looking for a job that enables you to carry on learning, or you are already in employment and want to gain further qualifications, an Apprenticeship could be for you. 

As a learner, an Apprenticeship teaches you the real skills that employers need whilst you earn at the same time.  All Apprenticeships have been designed alongside real businesses in that sector to ensure that the skills and qualifications you achieve are both relevant and recognised on a national basis.

As you would imagine, when enrolling on an Apprenticeship you will need to be in relevant employment in order to complete the on the job training and assessments.  Though if you are not currently in employment don’t be put off as SS&L always have a wide range of employers looking to employ new apprentices.  These can be found on the Apprenticeship Vacancies website: www.apprenticeships.org.uk.  The great news at present is that there is a large amount of government funding available to employers for training apprentices; with those aged 16 to 18 being fully funded, for those aged 19+ the employer will be required to contribute towards the training costs.

At SS&L we offer both, Level 2 Apprenticeships and Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeships covering a huge range of career paths. 

Apprenticeships (are generally equivalent to five A*-C Grade GCSE passes)

• Apprentices work towards work-based learning qualifications such as a Diploma, Certificate, NVQs, QCF, Key or Functional Skills and, in some cases, a relevant knowledge-based qualification.
• These provide the skills you need for your chosen career and allow entry to an Advanced Apprenticeship.

Advanced Apprenticeships (generally equivalent to two A-level passes)

• Advanced apprentices work towards work-based learning qualifications such as a Diploma, Certificate, NVQs, QCF, Key or Functional Skills and, in most cases, a relevant knowledge based qualification. 
• To start this programme, you should ideally have five GCSE’s (grade C or above) or have completed an Apprenticeship or equivalent.

As a leading training provider in Somerset, SS&L offers a wide variety of Apprenticeships covering a range of occupations and industry sectors, click  Apprenticeship options for all the details. 

Alternatively to book an interview or for an informal chat: call the Apprenticeship Hotline on 01278 426828 or email SS&LEnquiries@somerset.gov.uk

Alternatively, complete an application form which can be download from our How to Apply page 

If you feel you are not ready to start an Employed Apprenticeship, then why not try our LEAP programme or Access to Higher Education.