On an apprenticeship you’re employed to do a real job while studying for a formal qualification - as a day-/block-release for classroom-based learning within the College or in the workplace.
The first step is to find an apprenticeship vacancy (similar to a job vacancy) with a local company. You can start applying for these over the summer in your final year of GCSEs.
By the end of your apprenticeship, you’ll hopefully have gained the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in your chosen career or progress to the next apprenticeship level.
Not sure where to start?
Find an Apprenticeship Vacancy on our live Apprenticeship Vacancies page.
Qualification information can be found at the end of this page, this outlines a complete list of our Apprenticeships and the relevant course information - remember you can't apply directly as you must find a vacancy first.
An Apprenticeship, which must last for a minimum of 12 months, combines hands-on work with the opportunity to train and obtain qualifications. It’s also a paid position, so you earn while you learn!
Alongside on-the-job training, Apprentices spend at least 6 of their working hours per week completing either classroom-based or workplace learning with the College. The rest of your time is spent applying your knowledge and skills in the actual workplace, doing the job that you set out to get.
An Apprenticeship includes:
Being an employee earning a wage and getting holiday pay
Working alongside experienced staff
Gaining job-specific skills
Having hands-on-experience in a sector/role of interest
Getting time for training and study related to your role (at least 6 hours per week of your normal working hours)
Developing your English and Maths skills in line with your Apprenticeship’s requirements and personal circumstances
Formal assessment which leads to a nationally recognised qualification
An Apprenticeship is a great paid work opportunity for people over the age of 16 who are:
Starting their career
Looking to upskill in their current job
Looking for a career-change
Not in full-time education
Different Apprenticeship levels equate to different qualification levels.
An Apprenticeship can start at any level, but some may require:
previous qualifications such as English or maths GCSEs
additional training in English or maths to ensure the Apprentice is at the right level
One of the following qualification levels will be achieved depending on the Apprenticeship level:
Level 2: Intermediate Level Apprenticeship (GCSE equivalent)
Level 3: Advanced Level Apprenticeship (A Level equivalent)
Level 4, 5 and 6: Higher Apprenticeship (Foundation degree level)
How do I apply for an Apprenticeship?
You can’t apply directly for an Apprenticeship … you must find a vacancy or an employer first.
How to Become an Apprentice
It is easy to apply for an Apprenticeship with us at Lincoln College. Follow the below steps as a guide:
It is important to have a think about what industry you would like to train and work in. From Engineering to Beauty, we have a wide range of Apprenticeship routes for you!
Our Career Coach site can help you choose the right career and includes other useful tools such as a CV builder and a self-assessment questionnaire which can help you relate your hobbies and interests to the world of work.
If you are still not sure and would like some advice, you can always contact our expert and friendly team who will be happy to discuss your future career goals and assist you in choosing the right path for you.
The Apprenticeship Information, Advice & Guidance Team are available to call on 01522 876284 or email at: apprenticeships@lincolncollege.ac.uk
You will need an employer, who is willing to offer you an Apprenticeship, before you can start your training. Finding a relevant Apprenticeship employer is your responsibility, although Lincoln College are here to assist you with this.
Apply for vacancies
The first step is to find an Apprenticeship vacancy (similar to a job vacancy) with a local firm. You can find an Apprenticeship Vacancy on our live Apprenticeship Vacancies page.
If you are a school leaver then you can start applying for these over the summer in your final year of GCSEs.
In addition to the College vacancies, all accredited Apprenticeship vacancies can be found on the Government website.
Vacancy Application
Apprenticeship vacancies receive many applications, so it’s important to stand out from the crowd! When applying for a vacancy, think about how your skills and experience relate to the job and the organisation.
You can find useful information on completing a good application on the National Careers Service,
It’s always a good idea to secure work experience or do some volunteering to show you are keen, driven and hard-working.
When you’ve found an employer
Once you have successfully been recruited by an employer you will need to confirm that you are ready to begin your Apprenticeship programme.
The Apprenticeship Team can help you through that process, they can also help your employer too if they haven’t had an Apprentice or used us as a training provider before.
Just email apprenticeships@lincolncollege.ac.uk to notify us and we can start producing the enrolment paperwork.
What the Apprentice earns will depend on the industry, location and the level of Apprenticeship they choose.
If aged between 16 and 18 or in the first year of the Apprenticeship, the Apprentice is entitled to the Apprentice rate.
If the Apprentice is 19 or over and has completed the first year of the Apprenticeship, they are entitled to the National Minimum Wage. This is the minimum an Apprentice can earn; many employers offer their Apprentices a competitive salary.
There are no student loans or tuition fees for an Apprenticeship because it is funded by the government and the employer.
The Apprentice will need to cover the cost of their day-to-day expenses, such as lunch and travel, however many employers offer a competitive salary to support this.
An apprenticeship is a real job, so you’ll also need to meet any other criteria set out by the employer.
Entry requirements are different depending on the employer and the role and will vary per vacancy. Make sure you read the vacancy carefully and get in touch with the Apprenticeships Team if you have any questions.
Remember, it’s not all about qualifications. Employers will be looking for the willingness to learn, passion, and transferrable skills you could bring to the role.
Apprenticeships provide a unique opportunity for anyone looking to advance their career. You'll be able to undertake in-depth training relevant to the role you're working in while earning a wage!
Apprenticeships, unlike university or college, provide a mix of hands-on experience and tutor-led learning and, by the end of your Apprenticeship, you'll have all the skills you need to undertake your role on your own and progress your career even further.
View the full list of apprenticeships we offer below.
There are three levels of Apprenticeship:
Level 2 | Intermediate Level Apprenticeship (equivalent to five A* GCSEs)
Level 3 | Advanced Level Apprenticeship (equivalent to two A Levels)
Levels 4, 5 & 6 | Higher Apprenticeship (Foundation degree level)
An Apprenticeship can start at any level, but some may require:
Previous qualifications such as English or maths GCSEs
Additional training in English or maths to ensure the Apprentice is at the right level
An Apprenticeship is a great paid work opportunity for people over the age of 16 in England who are:
Early in their career
Looking to upskill in their current job
Looking for a career change
Not in full-time education
Have lived continuously in the EEA, Switzerland, Gibraltar or the UK for the past 3 years
Not sure where to start or have a question about Apprenticeships?
Contact the Apprenticeship Recruitment Team to help get you started.
Call: 01522 876284 or Email: apprenticeships@lincolncollege.ac.uk
Qualification information can be found below, this outlines a complete list of our Apprenticeships and the relevant course information – remember you can’t apply directly as you must find a vacancy first.
