Apprenticeships and Traineeships
What is an Apprenticeship?
It is a job with training. You work, you learn, you get paid and you have holidays just like other workers. An apprenticeship is designed to be completed whilst you are at work rather than in your own time.
At the end of the apprenticeship there is an assessment to complete which then leads to a certificate of achievement that belongs to the apprentice, not the employer.
There are also lots of apprenticeship training providers that have some very good support systems in place for all would-be apprentices, no matter what their backgrounds or academic abilities are.
Apprenticeships can be undertaken by anyone from the age of 16 through to 65 years of age. Some apprentices already have jobs and complete their apprenticeship through work, whilst others are school or college leavers wishing to complete an apprenticeship in their chosen job or occupational route.
Occupational Routes
- Agriculture, Environmental and Animal Care
- Business and Administration
- Care Services
- Catering and Hospitality
- Construction
- Creative and Design
- Digital
- Education and Childcare
- Engineering and Manufacturing
- Hair and Beauty
- Health and Science
- Legal, Financial and Accounting
- Protective Services
- Sales, Marketing and Procurement
- Transport and Logistics
For more information on occupational routes and the apprenticeships attached to each click on the link:
https://skillsengland.education.gov.uk/apprenticeships/
Apprenticeships run for anything from 1 to 4 years and, in many cases, apprentices are offered permanent jobs at the end of the apprenticeship by the current employer or by another suitable employer.
Where and When to Look for an Apprenticeship
You can search for apprenticeships on the national government website: https://www.gov.uk/apply-apprenticeship or more locally at https://gmacs.co.uk/ .
It is also worth searching on the websites of companies that are of interest to you. Look for their Careers, Early Careers, Apprenticeships or Working for Us pages.
Remember, an apprenticeship is a job. Like any job, there may be many people applying for one position, so you need to make sure that you stand out from the crowd.
Local colleges and training providers will also help you with applying for and getting into an apprenticeship.
Apprenticeship Search Ideas
A simple way to find an apprenticeship in a job you might like is to search the job title followed by the word "apprentice", for example:
- Animal Care Apprentice
- Autocare Apprentice
- Baker Apprentice
- Beauty Therapist Apprentice
- Countryside Worker Apprentice
- Horticulture and Landscape Apprentice
Useful Apprenticeship Websites
Advice and Guidance on Apprenticeships:
Apprenticeship Providers serving Oldham
|
Provider |
What They Offer |
Website |
|
Oldham College / University Campus Oldham |
Apprenticeships in Business, Construction, Digital & IT, Education, Health & Social Care, Horticulture, Legal & Finance and more. [oldham.ac.uk], [oldham.ac.uk] |
|
|
North Lancs Training Group (NLTG) |
Apprenticeships for school leavers and employers across Business Administration, IT, Customer Service, Catering, Manufacturing, Logistics, Retail and Management. [nltg.co.uk] |
|
|
University Campus Oldham (UCO) |
Higher and degree-level apprenticeship pathways alongside vocational and professional qualifications. [University...pus Oldham] |
University Campus Oldham |
|
The Growth Company |
One of Greater Manchester's largest apprenticeship providers, offering programmes in business, digital, education, healthcare, engineering and management. |
|
|
Hopwood Hall College |
Apprenticeships across construction, engineering, childcare, business administration, health and social care. |
|
|
Rochdale Training Association (RTA) |
Engineering, manufacturing, machining and technical apprenticeships for learners across Greater Manchester. |
|
|
Total People |
Apprenticeships in professional services, early years, health and social care, management, and digital sectors. |
|
|
Macclesfield College Apprenticeships |
Delivers apprenticeships to employers and learners across Greater Manchester in areas including business, digital and education. |
|
|
QA Apprenticeships |
Market-leading digital and IT apprenticeships including cyber security, software development and data analysis. |
|
|
Lifetime Training |
Hospitality, retail, health, fitness and business-related apprenticeship programmes. |
What is a Traineeship?
Traineeships prepare young people for future careers by helping them become work-ready.
They are for young people aged 16–23, and for young people with learning difficulty assessments up to age 25. Traineeships last from six weeks to six months, with content tailored to individual career needs.
They Offer:
- Work Preparation Training - Provides the skills and confidence needed for an apprenticeship or the first step in a career.
- Employability Skills - Employers are at the centre of traineeships, helping participants develop the skills needed to find employment and succeed in work.
- Maths and English Support - Develops workplace skills and enhances long-term career progression and earning potential.
- Work Experience - Provides an insight into work, a useful reference and an exit interview, or potentially a job interview if a role becomes available.
- Improved CV - Traineeships provide valuable practical experience and strengthen a CV.
- Apprenticeship Podcast for Young People
A podcast called Apprentice Talks has been created by young apprentices to educate, inform and provide insight into what it is really like to be an apprentice. Episodes can be found on Spotify by searching for “Apprentice Talks”
Useful Apprenticeship Websites
|
Resource |
Link |
|
A Guide to Becoming an Apprentice |
https://www.gov.uk/apprenticeships-guide |
|
Apprenticeships Explained and Resources |
https://amazingapprenticeships.com/ |
|
Greater Manchester Apprenticeship & Careers Service |
https://gmacs.co.uk/ |
|
Occupational Routes |
https://www.instituteforapprenticeships.org/apprenticeship-standards/ |
|
Find an Apprenticeship |
https://www.gov.uk/apply-apprenticeship |
Information for Employers
At Spring Brook Academy we are always looking to develop strong links with local employers. We work with them in our careers programme in various ways.
Some employers come into school and talk to our students about their businesses or apprenticeships. They discuss what the job is like, along with what skills and qualifications are desired.
Some examples of local employers we work with are:
- The army
- Manchester City
- Manchester Airport
- Cakebread studios
- Wolfpack Strength
For those employers who currently work with us, please feedback your experience by contacting:
We are always keen to engage with further employers to expand our curriculum and careers offer further. If you would be interested in working in partnership with Spring Brook Academy please email:
https://www.youthemployment.org.uk/10-tips-employer-wanting-work-school/
For any enquiries regarding careers education, information, advice or guidance or for any feedback regarding our careers programme please contact our Careers Leader Mr Hopkins by email at: