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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.
