Apprenticeships - Frequently Asked Questions
Apprenticeship FAQs
Am I eligible for an
Apprenticeship?
You need to be living in England and not taking part in
compulsory full-time education or not holding a university
degree. Entry requirements are flexible because Apprenticeships are
not just based on academic achievement. Employers value your
enthusiasm for work and desire to learn, so your practical skills
and interest in your chosen area are very important.
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What happens in the application
process?
There are several ways to apply for an Apprenticeship:
- You can approach an employer who may have a vacancy for an
apprentice
- You can also apply through the Workforce
Development department at Doncaster College who will then
try to match you to any vacancies they have. Please note these
vacancies are also advertised on www.apprenticeships.org.uk
The selection process involves an initial assessment at
Doncaster College to assess your literacy and numeracy
levels. Your details will then be sent to employers and you
may be required to attend interviews with suitable employers.
Alternatively, you may have found your own employer but would
still be required to undertake an initial assessment to assess if
you need any further support whilst taking part in the
apprenticeship.
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Are there different types of
Apprenticeship?
Yes, there are different types of Apprenticeship available.
Which Apprenticeship is right for you will depend on your
experience and the opportunities in your area. However, all
Apprenticeships include the following basic elements:
- An appropriate National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) at
either Level 2 or Level 3
- Functional Skills qualifications
- A technical certificate such as a BTEC or City &
Guilds (included in most cases)
- Other qualifications or requirements as specified by the
particular occupation
To find out what Apprenticeships are available at Doncaster
College please click here.
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How long does an Apprenticeship
take?
There is no set time to complete an Apprenticeship as they vary
widely in content and size. The length of time taken will depend on
the subject, the ability of the individual apprentice and the
employer's requirements.
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How do Apprenticeships
work?
Your employer pays your wages and gives you on-the-job training
which allows you to achieve National Vocational Qualifications
(NVQs). You may also spend time at College, gaining functional
skills that'll be useful in the job market. In addition, you will
study for a technical certificate, which will give you further
knowledge and understanding of your job.
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How much do I get paid?
An employer must pay a minimum of £2.50 per hour
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What sort of person is accepted on an
Apprenticeship?
Applicants need to be:
- Serious about their chosen career
- Committed
- Able to show that you have fully researched the area of work
you want to do, and you're the right person for the job
- Aware of your responsibilities to both yourself and your
employer
- Prepared for further study
- Realistic about the amount of work you may have to do
- Able to use your own initiative
Apprenticeships can be demanding, but very rewarding. If you're
the right person for an Apprenticeship, being an apprentice can
help you achieve your goals.
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Do I get holidays?
Like any other employee, you will receive at least 20 days
holiday per year (and bank holidays). Your individual entitlement
will be detailed in your terms of employment or training agreement
from your employer. Just like any other job, your employer will
have rules about how far in advance holidays need to be booked, and
times that holidays cannot be taken.
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What qualifications do I get when I've
finished my Apprenticeship?
You will have achieved a framework of qualifications when
you complete your Apprenticeship - a National Vocational
Qualification (NVQ) at either level 2 or level 3, a technical
certificate such as a BTEC National Diploma or a City & Guilds
Progression Award, and Functional Skills qualifications.
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How do NVQs relate to other
qualifications?
- Level 2 = 5 GCSEs at grades A-C
- Level 3 = 2 A levels/1 vocational A level
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Which Apprenticeships are most in
demand?
Some of the most popular Apprenticeships at present are
Engineering, Business Administration, Construction and
Hairdressing. But choosing the Apprenticeship for you is like
choosing a job - some types of job are difficult to get into
because they are so popular.
To start an Apprenticeship you need to find a job in
that field before you begin learning. You may want to contact
companies direct to get some work experience or speak to a careers
advisor in Learner Services at Doncaster College by calling
0800 358 7575.
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How do I get started on an
Apprenticeship?
You'll need to think carefully about the field of work in which
you want to train. You must complete your Apprenticeship to get the
qualifications, so you need to make sure that you're serious about
your chosen career and can commit yourself to what is usually
a long period of training and study.
To find out what Apprenticeships are available at Doncaster
College, contact our Learner Services team on 0800 3587575 or
e-mail apprenticeships@don.ac.uk
with your name and address details.
There are several ways to apply for an Apprenticeship:
- You can approach an employer who may have a vacancy for an
apprentice
- You can also apply through the Workforce
Development department at Doncaster College who will then
try to match you to any vacancies they have. Please note these
vacancies are also advertised on www.apprenticeships.org.uk
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For even more information
please visit the following website:
www.apprenticeships.org.uk
(Doncaster College is not responsible for the content of
External Internet Sites)
For more advanced courses such as Degrees and HNC/Ds please click here.