Chris – L&D Manager, MEH Alliance
I’m often asked what we look for in apprentices and I always say the same thing. You can train people to do almost anything, but you can’t teach attitudes and behaviours.
Level 3 apprenticeships (Advanced apprenticeships)
Level 3 apprenticeships are available in England.
Level 3 apprenticeships are also known as advanced apprenticeships and are generally considered to be equivalent to two A level passes. If you want to gain further qualifications, you can go on to complete higher and degree apprenticeships.
What are the entry requirements for a Level 3 apprenticeship?
To be eligible for an advanced apprenticeship, you need to be:
- aged 16 or over (you can apply while you’re still at school, but you’ll need to be over 16 when you start the apprenticeship)
- living in England
- not in full-time education
An apprenticeship is a real job, so you’ll also need to meet any other criteria set out by the employer. Entry requirements are different depending on the employer and the industry you’re going into.
If you don’t already have GCSEs in English and maths, you generally need to take functional skills as part of the apprenticeship, which is an alternative to GCSEs.
Esha – apprentice, Channel 4
An apprenticeship is all about going in to learn so you can be honest about your level of experience or knowledge without needing to worry too much.
How do they work?
An apprenticeship is a way to earn and learn at the same time. You’ll spend most of your time learning in your place of work, and the rest studying with a college or training provider. You’ll be able to learn the theory and then put it into practice in your daily life.
At the end of your apprenticeship, you’ll have an assessment to check you can confidently perform your role. If you pass, you’ll be awarded your apprenticeship. The assessment is nothing to worry about, you’ll have been building up to it throughout your time at the apprenticeship.
£19,319*
The average salary of an apprentice.
*Glassdoor
124,000**
Number of people who started a Level 3 apprenticeship in 2021/2022.
**Gov.uk, Aug 21 – Apr 22
18 – 24
Average number of months it takes to complete a Level 3 apprenticeship (full-time).
Pros of an apprenticeship
- You’re an employee and get paid a salary, a holiday allowance, and sick pay.
- You’ll gain professional experience in your chosen career and put what you learn into practice daily.
- You won’t have to pay any study costs, as they’re co-funded by your employer and the Government.
- At the end of the apprenticeship, you’ll have a chance to secure permanent employment at the company.
Considerations with an apprenticeship
- It’s a real job. You’ll have to get work on time and keep up with what’s expected of you.
- Learning and studying on the job can be tough. You’ll need to manage your time so you can fit in working and studying. Your employer will support you, but you need to be organised.
- With an apprenticeship, life is very different to going to uni. While there are plenty of opportunities to meet new people, it won’t be like going to uni.
- You’ll get paid, but like any other job, you’ll be paying tax and national insurance.
How do I apply for a Level 3 apprenticeship?
An apprenticeship is like a job, so you apply directly through the employer. You will be asked to submit a CV and answer some questions about yourself. If you get through the first stage, you’ll be invited to an interview. You might find this guidance useful:
You can search for Level 3 apprenticeships through our apprenticeship search.
What industries can I do an apprenticeship in?
Level 3 apprenticeships can take you anywhere, from a role in accountancy, to public health, marketing, and more. Explore all your options today.
Looking for jobs and apprenticeships? We can match you to potential employers.
Just create a UCAS account and fill in a quick form to tell us what you are interested in, where you live, and how far you want to travel.
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Everything you need to know about apprenticeships in England, including what they are, entry requirements, and more.
Higher apprenticeships are available in England at levels 4 and 5.