Apprenticeships - what are they?

What is an Apprenticeship?
Do you want to learn new skills and gain qualifications whilst earning a wage? An Apprenticeship may be the route for you - it combines practical training in a job with study.
What is an Apprenticeship?
An apprentice is an employee who receives on-the-job training and learning to develop a specific skill. The apprentice works towards a nationally recognised qualification such as a National Vocational Qualification (NVQ), a technical certificate and if required, mathematics, English and ICT. An apprenticeship is a genuine job and under all circumstances you should be employed from day one.
As an apprentice you will:
- work alongside experienced staff
- gain job-specific skills
- earn a wage and get holiday pay
- be given time for study related to your role (the equivalent of one day a week)
Stephen at Trotec Laser Limited discusses why he chose the apprenticeship route into employment.