Apprenticeships

Apprenticeships are a great way to gain valuable hands-on experience in the workplace while studying towards an industry-recognised qualification. They're paid jobs that incorporate training as part of your weekly contracted working hours. Young people with an education, health and care plan can retain their plan when on an apprenticeship.

Apprenticeships are available across a wide range of industries including:

  • Education and childcare
  • Engineering and manufacturing
  • Construction
  • Business and administration functions, ie project management, HR, leadership and management
  • Legal, finance and accounting
  • Customer service, sales, marketing
  • Digital, creative industries and design
  • Social care and health services

Apprenticeships are split into different levels. Here's a breakdown to help you understand what the levels mean:

Level

2

Equivalent qualification

GCSE

Minimum entry requirements/functional skills

Level 1 functional skills or achievement by end of apprenticeship. 

Level

3

Equivalent qualification

A levels

Minimum entry requirements/functional skills

Level 2 functional skills or achievement by end of apprenticeship.

Level

4

Equivalent qualification

HNC/HND, higher qualification

Minimum entry requirements/functional skills

Level 2 functional skills or achievement by end of apprenticeship.

Level

5

Equivalent qualification

Foundations degree

Minimum entry requirements/functional skills

Level 2 functional skills or achievement by end of apprenticeship.

Level

6

Equivalent qualification

Bachelor's degree

Minimum entry requirements/functional skills

Level 2 functional skills or achievement by end of apprenticeship.

Level

7

Equivalent qualification

Master's degree

Minimum entry requirements/functional skills

Level 2 functional skills or achievement by end of apprenticeship.

Inclusive apprenticeships

Inclusive apprenticeships offer an employment and training opportunity via apprenticeships for young people aged 16-24 with an EHCP, or who have been in the care of the local authority. Inclusive apprenticeships enable organisations to create a diverse workforce. Employers and training providers work together to meet the needs of the individual. If learning difficulties or disabilities have been identified, the employer will need to ensure that they make reasonable adjustment to their employment, and the training provider should also be fully aware of any additional needs or the existence of an EHCP. Bursaries of £1,000 are available to employers when hiring an inclusive apprentice. 

If an apprentice has an EHCP they'll be expected to achieve all other aspects of their apprenticeship, become occupationally competent and will need to achieve entry level 3 functional skills if they haven't already obtained functional skills at level 1 or 2. 

 All of our apprenticeship and job vacancies can be found on the Shropshire Council job vacancies website.

Contact us: Upskill@shropshire.gov.uk