What is an Apprenticeship? Apprenticeships are further education and many school leavers chose to study an Apprenticeship rather than going to 6th Form or studying at a college. An Apprenticeship is a real job with training, which allows you to earn while you learn and gain a qualification at the same time. You’ll also develop a range of transferable skills which are highly valued by employers, such as communication, teamwork and problem solving.
What are the benefits of an Apprenticeship? An Apprenticeship is the perfect route to starting out and progressing in a company as they provide real life work experience with a qualification alongside. You will earn while you learn and develop a range of skills. There are a wide range of Apprenticeships to fit all levels and needs.
What will I earn? You will earn at least the national minimum wage for an apprentice. However, this is a minimum and most companies pay you more or will increase your wage quickly as you progress.
Do I choose where I work? Yes. You let us know what type of industry you want to work in and we match you to our vacancies that suit your needs, i.e. employers who are local to you and that fit your interests. We will inform you of the vacancy and you can decide if you want to be put forward for an interview or not. You will also be asked to be pro-active in looking at our vacancies online and putting yourself forward for ones you are interested in.
Will there be a job at the end? Our Apprenticeships are full time and permanent jobs, not placements while you complete a qualification. We only raise vacancies with companies that will invest in your future. Your employer will have spent time training and developing you over the course of your Apprenticeship, so it is in their interest to ensure you stay with their company after you complete your Apprenticeship.
Will I have to attend college? No. With all our Apprenticeships we come out to train and assess you in the workplace. We will visit you in work every 4 to 6 weeks to assess your work, guide you through your qualification and set you some work to do for the next visit.
Are there a lot of written assessments involved? No. Most of the qualification is based on evidence you produce to show you can do the job. This evidence can be collected in written format but also via video and voice recordings.
How long is the Apprenticeship? The length of an Apprenticeship will depend on the level and type of Apprenticeship you study. In general, a Level 2 Apprenticeship will last between 12 and 18 months, while a Level 3 / Level 4 Apprenticeship will last between 18 and 24 months.
Am I employed with NLTG or the company? You are employed by the company you work for and as an employee of that company, you will be treated in the same way as everyone else working there. The only difference is that you will be studying an Apprenticeship while you work. NLTG will be your training provider, not your employer.
If I change employers, do I have to restart my apprenticeship? If you move employers and continue to study the same Apprenticeship, you will not have to restart your Apprenticeship. Once you move companies, and providing your new employer is happy for you to continue your Apprenticeship, we will carry on where we left off.
Do I have the same employee rights as my co-workers? Yes. Apprenticeships are paid jobs with training, meaning you are an employee of the company you are working for. You’ll be treated just like any other employee, with the same rights and responsibilities, and will undertake work that is important to the business. The main difference will be that you’ll receive training and learn about an industry while you are working in it. You’ll develop the skills and knowledge needed for your role, all while being employed and earning a wage.
