Apprenticeships

To apply for an apprenticeship, you must be 16 or over, not in full-time education and have an employer who has offered to employ you as an apprentice. Your job role and duties with the employer must relate to the type of apprenticeship you would like to undertake.

Apprenticeships are available at different levels, from Level 2 through to Level 7:

• foundation and intermediate (Level 2) – most (but not all) apprenticeships start at Level 2 and are broadly equivalent to GCSE level study.
• advanced (Level 3) – these can be a progression route from Level 2 and are equivalent to two A levels; electrical apprenticeships start at Level 3 but include Level 2 qualifications at the start of the programme.
• higher (Level 4 and 5) – equivalent to higher education study, such as a Higher National Certificate (HNC), Higher National Diploma (HND) or Foundation Degree, depending on the level.
• degree (Level 6 and 7) – equivalent to bachelor’s or master’s degree-level study

The levels available through The Bedford College Group vary by apprenticeship area. We are continuing to develop our offer of higher apprenticeships.

Entry requirements for Apprenticeships vary by programme level, employer, and role. However, most employers will expect candidates to have GCSEs in Maths and English. Requirements will vary by vacancy, so it’s important to read the details carefully and speak with the Apprenticeship Team if you’re unsure.

Once you have applied for one of our apprenticeship vacancies, your application will be reviewed. If you meet the entry criteria, you will be invited in to meet with a member of our Apprenticeship Recruitment Team. This meeting will include: an overview of apprenticeships and a discussion about the job you have applied for and others you may be interested in, a brief question and answer session to help you prepare for interviews and referral to our Careers Team if you would like additional support. Once you have been offered an apprenticeship, you will come in to complete your maths and English tests and enrolment paperwork.

Your employer will release you from work to attend college as set out by the College Training Co-ordinator. For some apprentices, this will mean one day a week at college, known as “day release”, and for others it may mean “block release”, i.e. a week or fortnight in college each half term. Some engineering apprentices are required to attend college full-time for the first year and will only be in work during non-term time that year. When you apply for your apprenticeship, the appropriate college attendance for you will be explained so that you and your employer can plan your time in college in advance.

Apprenticeships can take between approximately eight months and five years to complete, but will depend on the occupation, level and programme.

All apprentices are entitled to at least the minimum apprenticeship wage, but many employers offer higher, competitive salaries. What you earn depends on your industry, location, and the level of apprenticeship you choose.

Apprentices do not pay for their apprenticeship training or assessment.

Training costs are funded through the employer’s apprenticeship levy or through government funding. Employers can find further information on our apprenticeship funding page.

The qualification or certificate you receive will depend on the apprenticeship programme and level you complete.

Apprentices will work towards an approved apprenticeship standard for their chosen occupation, achieving key elements before an apprenticeship certificate will be awarded:

• practical skills and competency: learning on the job, completing relevant tasks and working towards the standards expected in your industry
• knowledge: understanding the principles and theory behind your role through college training, workplace learning, assignments and practical activities
• functional skills: if you don’t already have an English or Maths qualification, you may need to study towards this as part of your Apprenticeship
• professional behaviours: developing qualities needed in the workplace, such as teamwork, creative thinking, independent enquiry, communication, problem solving, effective participation and reflective learning

Progression opportunities vary depending on the Apprenticeship type and level undertaken, and the individual circumstances of the apprentice and employer. Many apprentices who start a Level 2 intermediate Apprenticeship on leaving school progress to the advanced apprenticeship at Level 3, but this is subject to continued support from the employer and performance on the programme and at initial assessment. For further information regarding progression, please contact The Bedford College Group Apprenticeship team on 01234 291747.

Firstly, you can browse our apprenticeship courses and subject areas to decide which type of role interests you.

If you already know what type of apprenticeship you would like to do and are ready to apply, you can:

• check out the website regularly for details of apprenticeship vacancies.
• register for apprenticeship vacancies on the National Apprenticeship Service website.
• contact potential employers and ask about apprenticeship opportunities within their organisation.
• speak to family, friends and other contacts who may be able to help

Already employed? You can speak to our team about completing an apprenticeship through your current employer.

Once you have secured employment, you will need to let us know your employer’s contact details so that we can arrange to carry out a visit to the company to check that proper arrangements have been put in place to support your apprenticeship and that you have access to the required range of work.

If you need support at any stage of your apprenticeship journey, our team are on hand to help and give advice. You can also attend an open day with The Bedford College Group and visit our Apprenticeship Zone, where our team can provide further information.