What is an Apprenticeship?

An Apprenticeship is a work-based training programme. It provides the learner with practical skills through on-the-job training combined with theoretical knowledge through off-the-job learning.

For someone looking to enter a career in the Automotive Industry, an Apprenticeship is an ideal way of doing so. An apprenticeship gives the learner the best of both worlds, learning and working, enabling them to earn money whilst gaining qualifications.

Employers and apprentices

For employers looking at taking on an apprentice, this is a fantastic opportunity for them to equip their business with the most up-to-date skills around to give themselves an edge against competitors.

Apprenticeships have been around for centuries and documentation shows that in the UK Apprenticeships date back to the 12th Century. Back then the way that they conducted the apprenticeship is that the parent/guardian would pay a premium to a Guild's Master craftsman and then make an agreement with him, which would bind the minor in for 5-9 years (e.g. from 14 years old to 21 years old). However, nowaday's Apprenticeships are very different and they are fast becoming very popular.

In the UK, there are currently over 130,000 businesses that offer Apprenticeships over 80 different industry sectors and 255,500 individuals enrolled on an Apprenticeship. In the last 10 years there have been over one million individuals take up an apprenticeship. Research shows that the majority of apprenticeship places are in a number of sectors; Business Administration, Childcare & Early Years, Construction, Customer Care, Electro-technical, Engineering, Hairdressing, Health & Social Care, Hospitality, Plumbing, Retail, Vehicle Maintenance.

The Government has recently announced plans to further expand apprenticeships in the UK by increasing the number of employers involved from 130,000 to 400,000 by 2020. To help meet these targets, spending on Apprenticeships will increase to around £1 billion by 2010/11. So with more focus, support and funds in place for Apprenticeships, there has never been a better time to take one up.

Information about Apprenticeships

Apprenticeship programmes are available in all four nations of the United Kingdom; England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales, however they do vary slightly from nation to nation.