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What is an apprenticeship?

An apprenticeship is a real paid job, where you will learn the skills, knowledge and behaviours needed to perform your role. You will work through a combination of on-the-job training with your employer and part time off-the-job studying with your training provider.

Apprenticeships range from intermediate (level 2) all the way up to a master’s degree (level 7).

What about the pay?

In your first year the minimum you will be paid is the minimum wage for apprentices. This is just a minimum amount though and employers may pay you more than this.

After a year your pay will increase to the national minimum wage for your age group.

Click here to see current minimum wages

What you actually get paid for:

  • Your normal working hours (minimum of 30 per week)
  • Any training that's part of your apprenticeship qualification
  • A minimum of 20 days’ holiday per year, plus bank holidays

What do you get out of it?

  • A widely respected and industry recognised qualification
  • Education and training that will not cost you a penny. Even the degree apprenticeships!
  • 1-6 years of industry experience
  • At full time wage
  • Functional skills qualifications in Maths and English
  • Access to apprenticeship student discounts

Where could an apprenticeship take you?

  • The qualifications you gain can be used to begin or progress your career in the food and drink industry.
  • You can use the experience, qualifications and transferable skills to apply for new opportunities.
  • You can continue your education through full-time, part-time or work-based study.

How do you apply for an apprenticeship?

At Tasty Careers, we’ve made it super easy for you to see what apprenticeships are available.

  • Visit our job vacancies page to see live apprenticeship vacancies
  • Visit courses page to find a college/uni/training provider that can deliver an apprenticeship
  • Follow us on Twitter or Facebook for latest updates on job vacancies, courses, food industry careers advice and much more.
  • Visit the Government’s apprenticeship website gov.uk/apply-apprenticeship.

Intermediate/Foundation and advanced apprenticeships

The level 2 intermediate (England) or foundation (Wales) apprenticeships are considered to be equivalent to 5 GCSE’s grade 4-9 / A-C. In most cases they will take 12 months to complete.

The level 3 advanced (Enlgand) or Apprenticeship level (Wales) apprenticeships are considered to be equivalent to 2 A Levels and will usually take 12-18 months to complete.

What do you need?

Typically intermediate/foundation and advanced apprenticeships do not have any mandatory entry qualification requirements; however employers are expected to set their own which may include a minimum entry level in English and maths.

Higher apprenticeships

A higher level apprenticeship (level 4 or 5) is the apprenticeship equivalent of a higher national certificate (HNC), higher national diploma (HND) or a foundation degree. The higher apprenticeships will usually take 18-36 months to complete.

What do you need?

The requirements for higher level apprenticeships vary but typically you will need to have a minimum of 5 GCSEs grade 4-9 / A-C, which will often need to include English language and maths. You may also need relevant industry experience and/or qualifications.

Degree apprenticeships

A degree apprenticeship can be a Bachelor’s degree (level 6) or a master’s degree (level 7) and they generally take 4-6 years to complete.

What do you need?

Usually you will need 3 A levels (grade A-C) or an equivalent industry recognised qualification, but the requirements will vary a lot depending on the programme you choose. Some, like engineering, will require you to have built up your occupational experience through the relevant level apprenticeships.

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