Apprenticeships

Apprenticeships: providing learning opportunities in a work environment

Apprenticeships are structured training programmes undertaken within a working environment. They use the skills and knowledge gained through work to provide learners with recognised qualifications. Apprenticeships can be undertaken by anyone over sixteen and provide a great way of gaining a qualification whilst continuing to earn a wage.

There is no fixed time frame for the completion of an apprenticeship, but each apprenticeship typically takes between one and four years, depending on its size and level of difficulty.

Apprenticeships are known by different names across the UK, but follow broadly similar structures, as follows:

Country

Level 2 Apprenticeship

Level 3 Apprenticeship

England

Name: Apprenticeship

Level 2 NVQ
Level 2 knowledge based qualification
Functional skills and/or key skills

Name: Advanced Apprenticeship

Level 3 NVQ
Level 3 knowledge based qualification
Functional skills and/or key skills

Northern Ireland

Name: Apprenticeship

Level 2 NVQ
Level 2 knowledge based qualification
Essential Skills

Name: Apprenticeship

Level 3 NVQ
Level 3 knowledge based qualification
Essential Skills

Scotland

Name: Modern Apprenticeship

Level 2 SVQ
Industry specific enhancement
Core Skills

Name: Modern Apprenticeship

Level 3 SVQ
Industry specific enhancement
Core Skills

Wales

Name: Foundation Modern Apprenticeship

Level 2 NVQ
Level 2 knowledge based qualification
Key skills (to be replaced by Essential Skills Wales in 2011)

Name: Modern Apprenticeship

Level 3 NVQ
Level 3 knowledge based qualification
Key skills (to be replaced by Essential Skills Wales in 2011)

The following Apprenticeships are overseen by CfA, providing a structured learning programme to over 55,000 people in 2008/09.

More information on each apprenticeship, including the qualification requirements, can be found by following the links below.

England, Wales and Northern Ireland	Scotland
Business & Administration – Level 2 and Level 3	Business & Administration – Level 2 and Level 3
Team Leading – Level 2/ Management – Level 3	Management – Level 3
Customer Service – Level 2 and Level 3	Customer Service – Level 2 (under development) and Level 3
Contact Centres – Level 2 and Level 3	Contact Centres – Level 3
Marketing and Communications – Level 2 and Level 3
Sales and Telesales – Level 2 and Level 3

Further information on Apprenticeships in England can be found on the National Apprenticeship Service website: www.apprenticeships.org.uk
Further information on Apprenticeships in Scotland can be found on the Skills Development Scotland website: www.skillsdevelopmentscotland.co.uk
Further information on Apprenticeships in Northern Ireland can be found on the Department of Employment and Learning Northern Ireland website: www.delni.gov.uk
Further information on Apprenticeships in Wales can be found on the Welsh Assembly Government Department for Children, Education, Lifelong Learning and Skills (DCELLS) website: http://new.wales.gov.uk/about/civilservice/departments/dcells/

CfA ERR workbook

Download here the CfA ERR workbook

Summary of frameworks

Summary of frameworks (England)

Summary of frameworks (Wales)

Apprenticeship Frameworks Online is the repository for Apprenticeship frameworks that meet the national standards for England and Wales: www.afo.sscalliance.org