Get paid to learn new trade & ensure you have most up-to-date training as National Apprenticeship Week starts on Monday

WANT to find a way to future-proof your career? Then take up an apprenticeship.

The “earn as you learn” schemes allow you to study for qualifications right up to degree level, while making money and gaining valuable experience in your chosen field.

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As apprenticeships are designed by employers, they also ensure you have the most up-to-date training each industry needs.

The annual National Apprenticeship Week starts on Monday and the theme is Skills for Life, highlighting how placements help employees upskill for modern jobs.

Careers expert Bernard Marr has identified ten key skills future staff will need in areas such as generative AI, sustainability, project management, leadership and communications, alongside machine-learning engineering, cybersecurity, data skills, emotional intelligence and personal networking.

The latest official figures show there are 690 different types of apprenticeships on offer, with many, such as robotics, AI and green industries covering the most advanced skills employers are asking for.

While apprenticeships may still make up less than one per cent of all vacancies, they are now the UK’s most popular professional qualification, held by around one in 20 of the workforce.

More than 5.7million people have begun an apprenticeship since 2010, and the Government is increasing funding to £2.7billion by 2025 to support the schemes.

‘Opportunities for people to find dream roles’

Best of all, apprenticeships are available to everyone who wants to retrain and upskill, from 16-year-old school leavers to staff in their seventies and eighties.

Robert Halfon, who is minister for skills, apprenticeships and higher education, said: “Regardless of your age or background, an apprenticeship is a fantastic opportunity to earn a salary whilst gaining vital workplace experience.

“We are building a workforce fit for the future, helping people to get the skills needed to secure good jobs.”

Apprenticeships are split into intermediate (level 2) which is equivalent to GCSEs, advanced (level 3) comparable to A levels, higher (levels 4 and 5) equivalent to a foundation degree, level six which is the same as a bachelor’s degree, and level seven which matches up to a master’s.

Training can last from 12 months to five years, depending on the level of qualification.

Last year, three quarters of trainees took up apprenticeships at advanced level or above, while 48 per cent of placements went to people aged 25 and over.

One of the UK’s top apprenticeship employers is Amazon.

The company already has 1,600 apprentices in training, in areas from mechatronics to creative design — and this year it is hiring 1,000 more, across 30 different courses, including 230 vacancies at degree level.

Emma Mallaburn worked a string of jobs, from trainee jockey to kitchen work and delivering cars, until she saw an advert for apprenticeships at Amazon.

Now 38, Emma is a mechatronics engineering technician at Amazon’s fulfilment centre in Gateshead, Tyne and Wear.

She will graduate from her apprenticeship programme in 2026.

Last year, two thirds of new Amazon apprentices were aged 25 and over, as older workers seek to change careers.

Emma said: “Apprenticeships offer people an opportunity to enhance their careers, allowing them to develop skills in their current role or move to an industry that’s more interesting to them.

“Doing an apprenticeship also gives you a chance to work, earn and learn at the same time, without having to go to night school or juggle a job and study.

Nicola Drury, UK head of skills and apprenticeships at Amazon, said: “Whether they’re retraining to begin a new and exciting career or diversifying their skill set to progress, we are proud to provide opportunities for people to find their dream roles by offering a diverse selection of courses.

“Apprentices are incredibly valuable to the modern economy. It is hugely important to us that we ensure our programmes address skills gaps and increase social mobility.”

• Apply at amazonapprenticeships.co.uk by April.

Scope man Michael is ‘shining example’

PEOPLE with disabilities wanting to work in the retail industry are being offered an apprenticeship by disability equality charity Scope and the Fashion Retail Academy, a college in central London.

The Retail Gamechanger Apprenticeship is a tailored programme providing support and hands-on experience for disabled people to gain a level 3 retail team leader qualification.

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Apprentices work in their local Scope charity shop during the one-year programme of study.

Apprentice Michael Bobadilla trained in the charity’s Hackney shop, where Anna Dlugasiewicz is manager.

He did so well on his course he was able to secure a post as assistant shop manager.

He said: “Before I joined the apprenticeship programme, I was very inhibited by my disabilities, I had a very bad attitude towards them.

“Today they are part of me. I now own them and that has been an incredible feeling.

“My life has completely turned around.”

Ruth Blazye, from Scope, said: “Michael is a shining example of what can be achieved with the right support and adjustments.

“Those small changes really can help disabled people to flourish and thrive in work.”

Chance to join nuclear family

INSPIRED by Oppenheimer? The UK’s Atomic Weapons Establishment wants apprentices to help protect national security.

The AWE builds and maintains the nation’s nuclear deterrent warheads, as well as supporting the UK’s counter-terrorism and nuclear threat reduction activities.

There are 100 places on the scheme including business admin, information communication and nuclear engineering jobs.

While most of the vacancies are open to 16-year-olds, you will need to be 18 for positions requiring high levels of security clearance.

Mark Lewis, head of skills and training at AWE, said: “Our focus on training and development enables career progression throughout the organisation.

“AWE is committed to fostering a workplace culture that celebrates and embraces diversity, ensuring equity for all employees, and promoting an inclusive environment.”

Apply by March 3 at awe.co.uk/careers/early-careers/apprenticeships.

Immense range of sectors

THINK apprenticeships are only for the traditional trades?

Here Baroness Ruby McGregor-Smith, chair of the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (IfATE), busts the most common myths.

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“There is now far more variety than ever before with over 690 apprenticeships to choose from.

There are jobs in all sectors including economists, nurses, aerospace engineers, countryside rangers, brewers, laboratory scientists, graphic designers and even archaeologists.

Employers are not allowed to take advantage of apprentices with low pay.

They have to pay the National Apprenticeship Minimum Wage, which is £5.28 an hour for under 19s and will go up to £6.40 in April.

Many businesses pay a lot more than this.

There are no tuition fees and you are paid a wage.

Many higher-level apprenticeships come with a degree but there is no charge for this.

Apprenticeships are more than just a starter job.

They have to match up to high expected standards, set by groups of expert employers, with at least six hours a week spent learning technical expertise away from the workplace with a college, university or private training provider.

Apprenticeships support trainees to build up valuable work experience for CVs and lots of skills employers value.

Every apprenticeship is now designed by employers with IfATE help to make sure they are up-to-date and are highly rated in the workplace.

Apprenticeships and other skills training options have been made easier than ever to look up through the Government’s new Skills for 7 Life website.

Green light for eco gas roles

AROUND 200 apprenticeships are now officially green, including dozens in the energy sector, as the UK moves towards net zero

This year British Gas is hiring 380 apprentices with places on its smart meter and heat ­engineering apprenticeship programmes.

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British Gas smart energy expert Jean Boum trained as an apprentice.

Jean, 31, from Leeds said: “Now I’m a parent, I’m particularly interested in learning more about renewable energy to help protect our planet for future generations.

“As an engineer, I feel like I’m playing my role in a more sustainable future, and apprenticeships in green skills are a crucial part of that.”

Karen Hutcheson, the firm’s recruitment director, said: “Our apprenticeship scheme offers a brilliant option for anyone who may be interested in a more practical career.

“With sustainability and energy efficiency a higher priority than ever before, now is a really exciting time to enter an industry that’s pioneering renewable technology.”

Apply at centrica.com/careers.

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DELIVER yourself a career in logistics.

Industry body generation logistics.org is promoting dozens of apprenticeships in the sector.

GXO is taking on 50 supply chain operations graduate apprentices (apply by March 1 at jobs.gxo.com).

DHL Group has 50 apprenticeships including degree-level in chartered management and supply chain, plus roles in data, customer service and business admin (apply by February 23 at careers.dhl.com/global/en/dsc-apprentices-uk).

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Fancy a fee-free degree?

BUDDING lawyers can study up to a Level 7 apprenticeship, making them a qualified solicitor and saving thousands of pounds on university fees.

Co-Operative Lega has five places nationally on its Level 7 soli­citor apprenticeship.

Claire Costello, chief people officer, said: “App­rentice­ships are part of our broader commitment to improve social mobility.”

See jobs.coop.co.uk.

Irwin Mitchell is offering paralegal and solicitor apprenticeships across the country.

Apply by February 29 at irwinmitchell.com/recruitment/apprenticeships.

Blacks Soicitors is recruit­ing for Level 7 solicitor apprenticeships, graduate solicitor apprenticeships and Level 3 paralegal apprenticeships at its Leeds office.

Apply by March 31 at lawblacks.com/about-us/careers.

This post first appeared on thesun.co.uk