Apprenticeships

What you need to know about apprenticeships

An apprenticeship is a way to earn while you learn.

Apprenticeships are real jobs which combine practical hands-on training with study and learning. As an apprentice, you’ll work alongside experienced staff, gain job-specific skills, earn a wage & holiday pay and study for a related career qualification. Apprenticeships take 1 to 5 years to complete depending on their level.

Anyone aged 16 or above who has completed education can apply for an apprenticeship. Optimum Skills provide apprenticeship qualifications throughout the North of England, offering everything from Business Administration to Warehousing. Explore our full apprenticeship qualification range and decide which is right for you!

If you want to find out more about what you will be studying during your Apprenticeship, you can find full details of the qualification on the Institute of Apprenticeships and Technical Education website.

Apprenticeships

Apprenticeship Vacancies

Apprenticeship Pathways

Apprenticeship Benefits

Key Facts

Apprentices earn a real wage

As an apprenticeship is a real job, you earn a real wage! As of April 2024, the apprenticeship minimum wage is £6.40. Some employers pay more than this, and you can earn more money as you develop your skills.

Get in touch today

Get started on your apprenticeship contact the Optimum Skills team and kickstart your career!

An apprenticeship can last anywhere between 1 - 4 years

This depends on the level of the qualification, the apprentice’s ability and the industry sector.

Apprentices complete off-the-job training

‘Off-the-job’ training is a statutory requirement for Apprenticeships and is where new knowledge, skills and behaviours are taught – via our tutor and in-house employer/mentors. ‘Off-the-job’ training should take place within normal contracted hours of work and the amount required must equate to a minimum of 6 hours per week over the apprenticeship duration. Some apprenticeships will require weekly day release in centre such as Bricklaying, Roofing or Joinery, others will be a mixture of monthly Hub days and workplace learning.

Apprenticeships are available from level 2 upwards

No matter what level you start at, you can progress in your career, with levels ranging from 2 to 5. Do you feel like you need more support before starting an apprenticeship? We have pre-apprenticeship traineeships to get you work-ready.

Apprentices work a minimum of 30 hours per week

These hours ensure enough time is available to gain the experience and training needed to complete the Apprenticeship effectively, meet the ‘off-the-job’ hours and achieve the End Point Assessment. Unlike College or Sixth Form, you will not

Our Apprenticeship Stories

Zoe – Skills Bootcamp in Leading with Digital Case Study2024-03-18T10:57:49+00:00

Zoe – Skills Bootcamp in Leading with Digital Case Study

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Josh – Butcher Level 3 Apprenticeship Case Study2023-12-12T15:56:15+00:00

Josh – Butcher Level 3 Apprenticeship Case Study

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Luke – Butcher Apprenticeship Case Study2023-11-22T13:07:58+00:00
Apprenticeship Case Study

Luke – Butcher Apprenticeship Case Study

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Aimee – Butcher Apprenticeship Case Study2023-08-01T08:34:33+00:00

Aimee – Butcher Apprenticeship Case Study

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Ellie – Digital Marketing Apprenticeship – Lionweld Kennedy2023-07-20T08:50:13+00:00
Apprenticeship Digital Marketing Case Study

Ellie – Digital Marketing Apprenticeship – Lionweld Kennedy

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Aidan – Commis Chef Apprenticeship – Tomahawk Steakhouse2023-03-20T11:07:46+00:00

Aidan – Commis Chef Apprenticeship – Tomahawk Steakhouse

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Beth – Bricklaying Apprenticeship Achievement (Women in Construction)2023-03-20T11:07:21+00:00

Beth – Bricklaying Apprenticeship Achievement (Women in Construction)

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Benjamin and Matthew – Warehousing Apprenticeships – Last Mile Logistic Solutions2023-03-20T11:05:34+00:00

Benjamin and Matthew – Warehousing Apprenticeships – Last Mile Logistic Solutions

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Liam – Bricklaying Apprenticeship Ajay Brickwork2023-03-20T11:04:49+00:00

Liam – Bricklaying Apprenticeship Ajay Brickwork

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Bethany – Business Administration Apprenticeship – UMi2023-03-20T11:00:47+00:00

Bethany – Business Administration Apprenticeship – UMi

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Have a question about apprenticeships?

Check out our Apprenticeship FAQ to find answers to our most asked questions and submit your own questions to the team, who are always happy to help.