Apprenticeships give your young person a fantastic experience of the working world and shows employers that they can ‘hit the ground running’. Learning through hands-on training gives them a real chance to put their skills into practice and helps them to gain more confidence in a working environment.

Apprenticeships combine some off-the-job training/studying with Priory Apprenticeships, but most of the time will be spent working with an employer, developing practical, on-the-job skills. All apprentices are entitled to a wage whilst they are on programme. As an apprenticeship involves developing skills with an employer, your young person will also be gaining relevant and practical work experience, and undoubtedly improving their career prospects.

There are also absolutely no student loans with an apprenticeship.

Apprentices are treated like any other employee from the first day on the apprenticeship programme.

Some of our apprenticeships have set enrolment dates, whilst others offer a ‘roll on – roll off’ programme to allow apprentices to be recruited at any time of the year. All apprenticeship standards are funded for a minimum of 12 months, therefore the programme will be at least this long.

English and Maths are integral to all apprenticeships and, where applicable, apprentices will be supported to gain these skills. Any English and maths training and study is in addition to the 20% minimum off-the-job training.

As an apprentice, your young person will be paid a wage. There is an apprenticeship minimum wage for new apprentices, whilst existing members of staff completing an apprenticeship for role development can expect their pay to at least stay the same.

A full time apprentice has a working week of a minimum of 30 hours, and a maximum of 40 hours.

There are hundreds of different types of apprenticeships, spanning different sectors including Business and Administration, Construction, Education and Childcare, and Health and Science.

It can be difficult for your young person to decide on one particular apprenticeship. If your young person is unsure about what apprenticeship to do, we encourage them to get in touch with us to find out more information.

There are different ‘levels’ of apprenticeships to be aware of:

At Priory Apprenticeships, we offer apprenticeship programmes from Level 2 all the way to degree level apprenticeships. You can see our apprenticeships here.

All Priory Apprenticeship vacancies are listed on the National Apprenticeship Service, Priory Apprenticeships and The Priory Federation of Academies (if a school-based apprenticeship) websites. You can also speak to us directly to talk about any available opportunities we have.

Applying for apprenticeships is typically the same as applying for a new job – entry requirements will be part of the job description and/or job specification, and potential apprentices are likely to need to have an interview.

Running across all of our apprenticeship programmes is a personal development curriculum. This will help your young person develop wider employability skills, as well as the specific skills required for their job. All apprentices, as part of their programme, will be provided with information, advice and guidance, to support them with their career management, development and planning.

All apprenticeship programmes are funded through the ESFA. There will be no tuition costs for your young person.

As apprentices are paid a wage, apprentices are expected to fund their travel costs. As part of an apprentice’s initial interview with Priory Apprenticeships, we discuss travel arrangements to ensure that apprentices are confident with this.

As apprenticeships are designed by employers, and are heavily influenced by employer needs, the expectation is that typically apprentices are kept on by the employer.

This is not always guaranteed, as with any study programme, but apprentices will have developed invaluable skills, will have received a nationally recognised qualification, and will have substantial work experience, all which will contribute to increased opportunities as they enter the world of work.

Priory Apprenticeships will support all apprentices with impartial careers guidance whilst they are on programme, to help them navigate their options after their apprenticeship finishes.

If you would like to act as an employer on an apprenticeship programme, please find more information here.

You can contact us to discuss your training and apprenticeship needs.

If you would like to complete an apprenticeship programme yourself, you can find information about apprenticeships here.

You could choose to do an apprenticeship linked to your current role, as part of your development, or you can apply to a new apprenticeship.