Anyone is eligible to apply for an Apprenticeship. There is no upper age limit to be an apprentice. As long as you're over 16 and have the right credentials for entry, there will be no problems when applying for your chosen apprenticeship.

If you start your apprenticeship after you turn 19, you may be entitled to additional government funding- you can find this out via Student Finance England - Advanced Learner Loan.

As each type of apprenticeship offers a different-levelled qualification on the Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF), their entry requirements will vary, however, in general, they are as follows:

Intermediate apprenticeship- over 16 years old and no longer in full-time education
Advanced apprenticeship- likely to be asked for prior work experience and at least three A*-C or 9-4 grade GCSEs or equivalent - such as an intermediate apprenticeship qualification
Higher apprenticeships (equivalent of a foundation degree)- at least five A*-C or 9-4 grade GCSEs, as well as some Level 3 qualifications in relevant subjects, to apply. Your Level 3 qualifications could be AS-levels, a BTEC National or a level 3 NVQ
Degree apprenticeships will have the tightest entry requirements. These may include three A-levels in a specified grade range or a higher apprenticeship qualification, on top of at least five A*-C or 9-4 GCSE grades. It's likely you'll be required to have prior work experience

You can apply for apprenticeships at any time of the year, however, it all depends when an employer has a vacancy.

Pay rates and working hours

The National Minimum Wage for an apprentice currently stands at £7.55 per hour (ages 16-18). Once you've progressed past this age range, you'll be entitled to the minimum wage rate for your age. This pay rate is stated as a guideline - some employers will pay you a higher wage.

As an employee you'll also be entitled to an employment contract which comprises of statutory sick pay, maternity/ paternity, any additional benefits your employer offers, such as healthcare discounts, and at least 20 days of paid holiday per year (you can use the GOV.UK Holiday Calculator to work out your exact entitlement).

Your working hours will vary depending on your employer, but you won't be able to work more than 40 hours per week or any fewer than 30. Typically, you'll work between 35 and 37.5 hours per week. The sector you are working in determines your working hours, for example office work tend to be 9am-5pm, and however, nurses may work antisocial shifts.

Benefits of an Apprenticeship

Apprenticeships are structured training programmes which give you a chance to work towards a qualification. They help you gain the skills and knowledge you need to succeed in your chosen industry
Getting into employment earlier means there’s lots of potential for you to progress in your career quickly. You can also begin to earn a good salary much earlier on in your life
Apprenticeships give you fantastic experience in the working world and show employers that you have a range of transferable skills which can be applied in the workplace. Hands-on training gives you a real chance to put your skills into practice and helps you to gain more confidence in a working environment
You earn while you learn. You’ll be paid a salary by your employer, and the government tends to cover the cost of the training for most young people
You have a wide range of choices. There are over 400 different types of apprenticeship
Apprenticeships offer a varied learning experience. You won’t have to spend all of your days studying; most of the time you’ll be working at a company
You can even gain higher qualifications through apprenticeships, such as HNCs, HNDs, foundation degrees or honours degrees

What is an Apprenticeship?