Apprenticeships

What is an apprenticeship?

An apprenticeship is a real job that gives you a learning platform to train and develop your skills, knowledge and behaviours in your chosen profession. 

20% of your contracted working hours will be spent in training and development, either with us at college, or even in your workplace. The remainder of your time will be spent applying and developing your skills and knowledge deeper in your workplace.

Apprenticeship FAQs

• Hints and Tips on How to find an Apprenticeship
   

  Where can I find out about the diverse types of Apprenticeships?

  The best place for further information on Apprenticeships are by talking to your local college and researching their Apprenticeship pages on the website. You can also research all apprenticeships and the required Knowledge, Skills, and Behaviours within each Apprenticeship by visiting IFATE (Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education) – follow the website link below

  Apprenticeships / Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education

  How can I look for Apprenticeship vacancies?

  Register for an account on the Government website Find an Apprenticeship. This will allow you to set up and register for an account, once you have set up an account, you will be able to set the filters to send you direct apprenticeship vacancies within your chosen subject areas, location and travel distance.  By creating an account gives you the opportunity to receive instant alerts when a new vacancy has been uploaded and at a touch of a button directly apply for an Apprenticeship

  Find an apprenticeship - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

  Also look at your local colleges Apprenticeship Webpages as this will detail all current vacancies the college is advertising for Vacancies (northkent.ac.uk)   Vacancies (hadlow.ac.uk)

  Do I need to have a GCSE in English and Maths to do an Apprenticeship?

  YES! English and Maths are paramount to you being able to study for an Apprenticeship. Maths and English entry levels vary depending on the type and level of Apprenticeship, for example, a Carpentry Apprenticeship requires Grade 4’s in both English and Maths.

  What if my GCSE’s are quite low?

  Your local college will assess your current grade and support you in finding the right course and at the right level that meets your needs. It maybe that you are referred to undertake a level 1 Full-Time course prior to looking for an Apprenticeship, which will also help you to build on your Maths and English.

  Can I do an Apprenticeship if I have an EHCP and/or need Additional Support?

  YES! Once you have been accepted, prior to starting the apprenticeship, you will undertake an assessment of needs to ensure that you are given the right support from the offset of your Apprenticeship.

  Do I have to attend college during my Apprenticeship?

  YES! Most Apprentices attend college 1 day a week to gain vital knowledge, skills and to start to adopt key behaviours that are required within industry practices.

  Do I get paid for being an Apprentice?

  YES! Your Apprenticeship is a real job, you will have a contract of employment and receive employee benefits such as paid annual Leave. pension schemes, sickness entitlements. All Apprentices must be paid through the PAYE Scheme, as an Apprentice you cannot be paid cash-in-hand and or be self-employed.

  Pay for an Apprentice varies by employers, and some pay above the National Apprenticeship Minimum Wage (from April 2025 £7.55 per hour). The Government review Apprenticeship Minimum Wages Annually and any changes to the minimum rate will come into effect on the 01^st of April every year. You can find out the current rates by visiting  National Minimum Wage and National Living Wage rates - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

  Do I get paid for the days I have to attend college?

  YES! Your college study day forms part of your contracted working hours that have been agreed by you and your employer; All college attendance excluding “Maths and English” will form part of your off the job training requirement. Every Apprentice is entitled to a minimum of 6 hours a week study time.

  I want to start an Apprenticeship in September, when should I start looking?

  You will need to start exploring Apprenticeship career routes around the end of April/early May. You will need to register and setup an account on Find me an Apprenticeship, start to prepare your CV research and approach local employers directly. Explore opportunities for undertaking evaluable work experience which will give you a valuable insight into your apprenticeship route. Contact your local college ‘s Apprenticeship Department and Careers Teams for any help and support.

  I am doing my A-Levels and keen to look at Higher and Degree Apprenticeships, when should I start looking?

  Most Degree Apprenticeship Vacancies are released and listed from Mid-October, the application process for Degree Apprenticeship's can be very lengthy but also very rewarding, you can find the current listing of Degree apprenticeships by visiting Amazing Apprenticeships Website using the link below, The Main Listing is released every October (2025  Listing was released on 15^th October 2024)

   Higher and Degree Listing - Amazing Apprenticeships

  I am a Parent/Guardian, should I be contacting local employers on behalf of my son/daughter?

  Our advice is NO because employers prefer to hear directly from the person interested in the role. Suggest to your son/daughter to research employers and to find out more about what they want to do by exploring opportunities and career progression routes; encourage them to write to employers attaching their CV with a covering letter explaining why they are interested.

  Will I be kept informed about my son/daughter’s progress whilst they are on an Apprenticeship?

  YES, the training provider will keep you regularly informed regarding the progress of your son/daughter if they are aged between 16-18 years of age, if they have a EHCP plan progress will also be discussed with their care lead worker within their annual review.

  If you would like any advice or further support and guidance, please contact:

  Hope West – Head of Apprenticeships at North Kent College

  Apprenticeship Team

  Email: hopewest@northkent.ac.uk  Or  Apprenticeships@northkent.ac.uk

  Websites

  North Kent College www.northkent.ac.uk

  Hadlow College www.hadlow.ac.uk

• Do Apprentices get paid?

  As an apprentice, you’ll usually be employed to work a minimum of 30 hours per week and be paid a wage no less than the National Minimum Apprenticeship Rate - £7.55 per hour, for the time you are in work and in off-the-job training. 

  You can also undertake an apprenticeship if you are a part time employee, in these circumstances we will review your parttime working hours and extend the duration of your apprenticeship to ensure you receive the required level of training needed.

  The amount you are paid is based on several factors including your previous experience and current skill set. Within some job roles your wage may increase as you progress and take on more responsibility. You will also receive the same benefits as any employee, including a holiday pay

• Who can do an apprenticeship?

  Apprenticeships are open to anyone who is 16 years old and over, has a right to work in England and is not in full time education. There is no upper age limit and available to anyone whether starting out on their career or for those who have been working for some time.

• Levels of Apprenticeships

  Apprenticeships can now support your learning ambitions to the highest level however It is important to know that Apprenticeship levels are based on the job role and duties and responsibilities that sit within the Job Role (even though you may have higher-level qualifications and or other subjects you could still undertake an apprenticeship at a lower level). 

  Apprenticeship levels are set and equivalent to: 

  • Level 2 (Intermediate): GCSEs 
  • 3 (Advanced): A-levels 
  • 4 (Higher): Foundation degree 
  • 5 (Higher): Foundation degree/first year of Bachelor’s degree 
  • 6 (Degree): Bachelor’s degree 
  • 7 (Degree): Master’s degree 

• What do I need to know about Maths and English?

  English and Maths are a fundamental part to successfully achieve your Apprenticeship, they are essential to support your longer-term career prospects and progression. As an apprentice you will be required to achieve a Maths and English qualification (if you don’t already have one) as part of your apprenticeship. Each apprenticeship program we offer has specific Levels of Maths and English that are required on entry to starting your apprenticeship.

• What is the End Point Assessment?

  Once your apprenticeship’s practical training period is completed, you will be entered through the Apprenticeship Gateway. Once you have been accepted and approved through the Gateway, The End Point Assessment Organisation (EPAO) will appoint an independent assessor, who will undertake a series of competency tests on you, this could include, an exam, a practical observation of skills learnt, professional discussion, Review of your portfolio of evidence and or project

  The End Point Assessment is your opportunity to demonstrate that you are genuinely competent in your occupation by allowing you to showcase what you have learnt throughout your apprenticeship. Each apprenticeship programme has a slightly different assessment approach however what they all have in common is that they’ll assess the knowledge, skills and behaviours you have developed during your apprenticeship

• How can I find and apply for an Apprenticeship?

  • There are several different ways you can find an apprenticeship. Finding one can be the same as a finding a normal job, so it is important to make sure that you give yourself the best opportunity to be successful in your search.
  • We work with many employers that recruit apprentices all throughout the year so why not visit and browse our current opportunities on our Apprenticeship Vacancy Page to view the current live vacancies
  • Register yourself on the Government Website Find an Apprenticeship, GOV - Find an apprenticeship - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) The Government website allows you to search and apply for live vacancies available in different industries, locations or levels.
  • Visiting Company Based Websites as you may already have a particular company in mind, it’s worth looking at their website or social media feeds to find out if they are advertising any Apprenticeship Vacancies,
  • Contacting employers directly and asking if they have considered supporting an Apprenticeship

   

  Contact our helpful and friendly Apprenticeship Team for any Advice and Guidance:

  apprentices@northkent.ac.uk