Apprenticeships in the UK

Apprenticeships offer a route into a career based on workplace learning and picking up new skills. Across the UK there are differences in how apprenticeships are run and assessed. Find out more about apprenticeships across the UK, and how the scheme might change in the coming years.

Questions about UK apprenticeships

What are apprenticeships?

An apprenticeship is a paid job which offers work experience alongside training with an education provider. Both apprentice and employer benefit from the scheme.

Apprentices will gain quality hands-on workplace experience at the same time as they work towards a nationally recognised qualification. Unlike a fully academic route, apprentices will earn a salary as they learn.

Mixing on-the-job and off-the-job learning ensures apprentices get the skills and knowledge they need in employment.

The employer, meanwhile, gets a worker that’s dedicated to absorbing as much of their role as possible to improve their career prospects. Apprentices will also develop skills in your sector and specific to your business, making them an excellent pipeline to expanding your long-term workforce.

What are the different levels of apprenticeships?

Just like for other qualifications, apprenticeships run through a range of levels reflective of experience, knowledge and competence. These levels are different depending on UK region.

England, Wales and Northern Ireland: Level 2 (GCSE equivalent) to Level 7 (Master’s degree equivalent)
Scotland: Level 5 (Nationals equivalent) to Level 10 (Master’s degree equivalent)

The standards, frameworks and competencies for apprenticeships differ in each of the four UK nations. You can find out more information about this at the Enginuity website – Apprenticeships page. You’ll also find more information at these websites:

England – Apprenticeships
Scotland – www.apprenticeships.scot
Wales - Apprenticeships | Sub-topic | GOV.WALES
Northern Ireland - Apprenticeships | nidirect
UCAS - What Are Apprenticeships? | Apprenticeships UK | UCAS
Youth Employment UK - Legal & Regulatory Requirements of Hiring an Apprentice

Is there an age limit for apprenticeships?

Apprenticeships are generally available to people aged 16 and over. There are no upper age limits on taking an apprenticeship course. This makes them accessible for both young people and adults looking to retrain or develop new skills.

Does the UK government pay apprenticeship wages?

No, the government does not directly pay wages to apprentices. It falls to the employer to pay their wages, just as they do with the rest of their workforce.

New government, new changes

The new Labour Government is expected to make some changes to apprenticeships and other employment schemes.

The new Growth and Skills Levy

The Apprenticeship Levy, introduced in 2017, requires larger employers to contribute 5% of their annual wage bill to fund apprenticeship training. Each of the UK nations manages its own apprenticeship programmes – education and skills are devolved policy matters – with funding allocated to them by the government based on population size and specific needs.

The new Labour Government has introduced the Growth and Skills Levy. The levy will be managed by Skills England which is expected to be operational by April 2025. This new body aims to bring together central and local government, businesses, training providers, and unions to align skills training with future needs. In line with the government’s Industrial Strategy, it’s hoped the levy will fund the standard of training that meets regional workforce demands.

We don’t yet have specifics on the new levy, but employers are expecting to get greater flexibility and more choice over how they can spend the funds. The reform is designed to remove existing barriers and encourage more investment in skills development across all UK regions.

Get Britain Working

The Government also published its ‘Get Britain Working’ White Paper in November 2024. This initiative focuses on the main strategies aimed at boosting employment:

A new national jobs and career service to help more people find work and progress in it.
New work, health, and skills plans for those economically inactive, led by Mayors and local authorities.
A Youth Guarantee to ensure all 18–21-year-olds have access to training, apprenticeships, or job support, including two weeks of work experience, to reduce youth unemployment.

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