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What is an Apprenticeship?

An Apprenticeship is a job with training which gives you the ability to earn money while you learn and achieve nationally recognised qualifications. You will develop the skills that are key to your employer’s business. You may already be in a job and have been recently promoted, new to your role, want to train towards a promotion or you may be looking for an Apprenticeship opportunity in your local area.

Apprenticeships provide you with a contract of employment with your employer and will be working for at least 30 hours a week. In some circumstances, you may be able to do an Apprenticeship on a part-time basis, particularly if you have caring commitments or a health condition that limits the hours that you can work each week.

There are various levels of Apprenticeships. At Acorn Training, we can support you with achieving your Intermediate, Advanced or Higher level Apprenticeship. Your Apprenticeship will last between 1-3 years depending on the level and standard that you are working towards. Once you have completed your programme, you may be able to progress to another Apprenticeship, a college course or university degree.

You can start an Apprenticeship at any time, and we will work with your employer to make sure this is the best time for you and them. There are different entry requirements and we will explain these to you and your employer. They depend on your job, which sector you work in and which Apprenticeship you are interested in doing.

At the end of your Apprenticeship you will receive a certificate for the standards you have been working towards. This may also include additional nationally recognised qualifications. You can also work towards functional skills in English, maths and ICT if you haven’t already achieved a Grade 4 (GCSE grade C) or above in these areas.

Whilst undertaking your apprenticeship, you may still be entitled to Universal Credit, Working Tax Credit, Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit, making you significantly better off doing an Apprenticeship. For more information, on in work benefits, contact us for a ‘Better Off in Work Calculation’.

To view our current Apprenticeship Vacancies, please click here.

Apprenticeship case study
Ethan started his journey with Acorn Training by working with the team to find and secure a Business & Administration Apprenticeship with an employer from Acorn’s established network base. Acorn Training are active in targeting and engaging LGBTQ+ employers as part of their Apprenticeship Programme network to reduce and break down barriers for learners.

As a young gay man, Ethan felt at ease working with LGBTQ+ owned Acorn, as they provided a safe space within which equality of opportunity in education and employment was ensured for all. “Acorn Training are leaders in empowering LGBTQ+ individuals to realise their full potential, address the many barriers, stereotypes and misconceptions that they face as a result of their sexuality. They were able to help me secure employment and develop my skill set during the 3-year Apprenticeship. All training was tailored to the needs of myself and my employer and they were always there if I needed any advice and support. Further to this, when I expressed my interest to return to education, the team supported this decision and helped me with the transition” said Ethan.

The team at Acorn and in particular, founder Gareth Fallows, helped and motivated by developing Ethan’s goals and aspirations to progress to University, maintaining regular contact with him throughout his progression, providing ongoing guidance and alumni.

Ethan’s journey with Acorn Training has opened many doors of opportunity for both Acorn and Ethan alike, “If we have new learners join us who are interested in going to university we are able to use our network to put them in contact with him for advice” comments Gareth. Ethan is very well placed to discuss his success story and support individuals facing barriers as he is able to draw on the personal challenges he has faced and overcome on his journey. This support has directly impacted the lives of three LGBTQ+ individuals who have progressed from their apprenticeship to university after receiving guidance from Ethan.

Ethan has since progressed on to a Master’s Degree at Staffordshire University where he is also a student ambassador. In this role, he is able to support others as Acorn supported him.

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