Eligibility and Funding

  • You may not necessarily need to have other formal qualifications in order to get onto an Apprenticeship but you do need to be employed in the sector in which you wish to do your Apprenticeship. 
  • Apprenticeships are available to people between the ages of 16-70 and you must have lived in the UK or another EU country for at least three years and have a National Insurance number.
  • Many Apprenticeships are fully funded by the Government, so the training may not cost you anything.
  • If you are already employed and then start your Apprenticeship, you should continue to earn your agreed salary.
  • Apprentices who are aged 16-18, or are in the first year of an Apprenticeship must be paid at least the Apprentice National Minimum Wage (NMW), of £2.50 per hour.  Once an Apprentice reaches 19 and has completed the first year of their apprenticeship, they are eligible for the full NMW.  However, as an Apprentice’s skills develop, most employers will increase their wages. 
  • On average, apprentices earn about £170 per week.