Apprenticeships 

Start Your Apprenticeship Journey with Optimum Skills

Apprenticeships are real jobs which combine practical hands-on training with study and learning. Apprentices work alongside experienced staff, gain job-specific skills, earn a wage 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 Bricklaying. Explore our full apprenticeship qualification range and decide which is right for you!

Apprenticeships

Apprenticeship Vacancies

Apprenticeship Qualifications

Apprenticeship Benefits

Our Apprenticeship Stories

Amy – Changing Careers with Apprenticeships – Optimum Skills2026-06-19T10:37:47+00:00

Amy – Changing Careers with Apprenticeships – Optimum Skills

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Jess – Property Maintenance Level 2 Apprenticeship – Optimum Skills2026-03-25T12:00:59+00:00

Jess – Property Maintenance Level 2 Apprenticeship – Optimum Skills

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Poppy – Roofing Level 2 Apprenticeship – Optimum Skills2026-03-24T10:44:45+00:00

Poppy – Roofing Level 2 Apprenticeship – Optimum Skills

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Leon – Customer Service Level 2 Apprenticeship – Optimum Skills2026-03-12T13:50:09+00:00

Leon – Customer Service Level 2 Apprenticeship – Optimum Skills

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Scott – Meet The Tutor – Optimum Skills2026-01-06T08:51:32+00:00

Scott – Meet The Tutor – Optimum Skills

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Lauren – Business Administrator Level 3 Apprenticeship – Optimum Skills2025-12-10T11:45:03+00:00

Lauren – Business Administrator Level 3 Apprenticeship – Optimum Skills

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Nathan – Team Lead / Supervisor Level 3 Apprenticeship – Optimum Skills2025-09-19T12:08:05+00:00

Nathan – Team Lead / Supervisor Level 3 Apprenticeship – Optimum Skills

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Katie – Business Administration Level 3 Apprenticeship Case Study2025-02-11T10:59:02+00:00
A business woman working on administration

Katie – Business Administration Level 3 Apprenticeship Case Study

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Ismil – Bricklaying Level 2 Apprenticeship Case Study2025-02-07T11:04:35+00:00
Bricklaying Apprentice

Ismil – Bricklaying Level 2 Apprenticeship Case Study

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Kevin – Team Leading Principles Level 2 Short Course Case Study2025-02-06T14:45:49+00:00
Apprentice with his tutor

Kevin – Team Leading Principles Level 2 Short Course Case Study

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Key Facts

Apprentices earn a real wage

As an apprenticeship is a real job, you earn a real wage! 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. Do you feel like you need more support before starting an apprenticeship? Join a pre-apprenticeship programmes 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

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, we are always happy to help.