Apprenticeships explained

How an apprenticeship works

You are an employee, with a contract, a wage and holiday pay. At least 20% of your normal working hours must be set aside for training, and you are paid for that time. The rest of the time you are learning on the job.

Apprenticeships take from 8 months to 6 years depending on the type and level. Skills England notes that for starts from 1 August 2025 the minimum duration is 8 months. Many trade apprenticeships are much longer: the Level 3 plumbing and domestic heating technician standard, for example, has a typical duration of 48 months.

• Become an apprentice (GOV.UK)

Apprenticeship levels

Every apprenticeship has a level that matches a school or college qualification. In the trades you will mostly see Level 2 and Level 3.

• Foundation and intermediate – Level 2, equivalent to GCSEs
• Advanced – Level 3, equivalent to A levels
• Higher – Levels 4 to 7, foundation degree and above
• Degree – Levels 6 and 7, bachelor's or master's degree

• What qualification levels mean

Who can apply

To start an apprenticeship in England you need to be 16 or over, live in England and not be in full-time education. You can apply while you are still at school, as long as you will be 16 by the end of the summer holidays.

There is no need to be a school leaver. The National Careers Service points out that apprenticeships are open to all ages, and if you already have relevant qualifications or experience you may be able to train for less time – agree this with your employer and training provider at the start.

Foundation apprenticeships

Foundation apprenticeships are Level 2 programmes designed to help young people get into an industry. You do not need any particular grades to apply. They are open to people aged 16 to 21, and to 22 to 24 year olds who have an education, health and care (EHC) plan, are or have been in care, or are or have been in prison.

In the trades, the National Careers Service mentions three: Building Services Engineering (a way into plumbing, heating, gas and cooling work), Onsite Trades (for example bricklaying, carpentry and plastering) and Finishing Trades (for example painting and decorating and tiling).

• Apprenticeships and foundation apprenticeships (Skills for Careers)

Pay and holidays (from April 2026)

Apprentices are entitled to the National Minimum Wage. The apprentice rate from April 2026 is £8 an hour. It applies if you are under 19, or if you are 19 or over and in the first year of your apprenticeship.

If you are 19 or over and have finished your first year, you are entitled to the normal minimum rate for your age: £10.85 an hour at 18 to 20 and £12.71 an hour at 21 and over (April 2026 rates). Some employers pay more than the minimum, so check the wage on each vacancy. Rates change every year on 1 April.

You get at least 20 days' paid holiday a year plus bank holidays, and you must be paid for your training time.

• National Minimum Wage rates (GOV.UK)
• Apprentice pay and conditions (GOV.UK)

English and maths

Many advanced (Level 3) trade apprenticeships ask for around 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 including English and maths, while intermediate and foundation apprenticeships usually ask for less. Each vacancy lists its own entry requirements.

Skills England notes that since 11 February 2025, the English and maths requirements for finishing an apprenticeship are optional for apprentices aged 19 or over when they start, unless English or maths is an essential part of a mandatory qualification within the apprenticeship.

How to find and apply

Apprenticeship vacancies in England are advertised on GOV.UK. Search for the trade you want, create an account and apply online. If you are not successful, you can ask for feedback.

Before you apply, look up the apprenticeship standard on Skills England's apprenticeship finder. It tells you exactly what you will learn, the level and the typical duration, which is useful to mention at interview.

• Search by trade and by your postcode
• Read the entry requirements and weekly hours carefully
• Check where and when the off-the-job training happens
• Ask what qualification and cards (such as CSCS or ECS) you will finish with

• Find an apprenticeship (GOV.UK)
• Skills England apprenticeship finder

If you live in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland

Apprenticeships are run separately in each nation, with their own names, rules and funding.

• Apprenticeships in Scotland
• Apprenticeships in Wales
• Apprenticeships in Northern Ireland