Apprentices learn on the job, building up knowledge and skills, gaining qualifcations and earning money all at the same time.

You work towards a work-based qualifcation such as a National Vocational Qualifcation (NVQ) or Diploma and other nationally recognised qualifcations.

Employers all over the country recognise and value Apprenticeships as they show that you’ve been trained in the skills they need.

Apprenticeships typically take between one and four years to complete, depending on the type of framework (type of apprenticeship). There is no set time to complete an Apprenticeship as they vary widely in content and size. The length of time taken will depend on the ability of the individual apprentice and the employer's requirements.

Apprentices do real jobs for real employers. So you’re paid while you learn. If you are entering work for the frst time, you will start earning from day one of your Apprenticeship.

There is no set rate of pay for apprentices, however all employed apprentices must receive a wage of no less than £2.50 per hour (£2.60 from October 2011) and a recent survey showed that the average wage per week for an apprentice is now around £170 and in some job roles around £210 per week.

As your skills develop, your pay will increase accordingly. As an apprentice, you will be entitled to the same benefts as other employees within the organisation which may include paid holidays, pension contributions, subsidised canteen and leisure facilities.

Apprenticeships are increasingly recognised as the gold standard for work-based training. Already, more than 130,000 employers offer Apprenticeships.

Apprenticeships are designed with the help of the employers in the industry, so they offer a structured programme that provides you with the skills you need to do a job well.

There are reviews and checks to ensure that your employer is supporting you and you are making progress.

Most of your training takes place on the job. The rest will take place away from the job which may be in another area within the workplace, at a local college or at a specialist training organisation.

The off-the-job training may be completed on day release or over a number of days in a block.

The amount of time you spend on off the job training varies according to your Apprenticeship. It could be anything from one day every other fortnight to two days every week or a number of weeks throughout the programme.

The off the job training will encourage and enable you to develop the technical skills and knowledge to enhance the practical skills learnt on the job. So all the things you study will be useful in your job and help you succeed in your future career.