Apprenticeship FAQs

An Apprenticeship is a genuine job and under all circumstances an Apprentice will be employed from day one. Apprenticeships combine practical training in a job, along with study.

An Apprentice will:

• Work alongside experienced staff
• Gain job-specific skills
• Be given time for study related to their role

At East Coast College we have our own designated Apprenticeship team who are in regular contact with local companies and will be aware of any available Apprenticeship opportunities. If an employer doesn’t have a suitable candidate, we will support them to advertise their opportunity on the Find an Apprenticeship website.

As well as the Find an Apprenticeship website, we always recommend for individuals to send out a CV to employers (in the industry that you are interested in) with a covering letter explaining that you are looking to undertake an apprenticeship.

The National Careers Service provide information, advice and guidance to help you make decisions on learning, training and work; if you need any assistance in updating or creating your CV, visit the how to write a CV webpage.

Employers may ask you to complete an unpaid work trial to ensure you possess the desired personal attributes and are suitable for the role.

If you do find an employer who is looking to take you on as an Apprentice, please email the Apprenticeship team at apprenticeships@eastcoast.ac.uk and we can support you with the process!

Apprenticeships in the below sectors have mandatory college attendance:

• Engineering
• Motor Vehicle
• Welding and Fabrication
• Construction
• Building Services (Electrical)
• Catering

If you do not have the required English and/or maths grade, additional attendance for Functional Skills will be mandatory for all Apprenticeships.

No. Apprenticeships are open to people of all ages, as long as you are at least 16 years old. Some apprenticeships may require applicants to be 18 or over due to health and safety regulations, so it's always worth checking the entry requirements before applying. Apprenticeships can also be an excellent option if you're looking to change careers later in life.

Yes. Apprentices are paid while they learn. The current minimum apprentice wage is £8 per hour, although many employers choose to pay more. Some apprenticeship roles offer starting salaries of £20,000 or more, so it's worth exploring different opportunities to find one that suits your goals and circumstances.

No. Apprentices are not legally required to contribute financially towards the cost of their apprenticeship training. Training costs are funded either by the government or by the employer, depending on the funding arrangements in place when the apprenticeship begins.