Become An Apprentice

An apprenticeship consists of hands-on training in the workplace, where you earn a wage while working towards your qualification.

Apprentices are supported by their employer and Lakes College, learning the knowledge, skills and behaviours to allow them to thrive in their role.

At the end of an apprenticeship, an End-Point Assessment is completed to confirm the apprentice has successfully achieved the required standard.

You can be in school when you apply for an apprenticeship but to start one, you must be:

• Over 16 (no upper age limit)
• Living in England
• Not in full-time education

Lakes College is the training provider, working with employers to recruit the right apprentice and supporting their development.

Our technically-qualified teachers and coaches deliver learning in college and in the workplace.

Lakes College supports apprentices throughout their apprenticeship to successful completion of the End-Point Assessment.

The employer pays the apprentice’s wages and provides on-the-job experience which meets the requirements of the apprenticeship.

This includes mentoring and support in the workplace, training opportunities and employment for the duration of the apprenticeship.

The End-Point Assessment is the final stage of an apprenticeship.

An assessor, independent of the employer and training provider, will confirm the apprentice has developed the knowledge, skills and behaviours outlined in the apprenticeship standard for the role.

Knowledge, skills and behaviours are the core elements of an apprenticeship.

Knowledge makes up the theory and understanding of the work.

Skills are the practical and technical elements of completing the tasks.

Behaviours are the development of the apprentice’s professionalism.

The current National Minimum Wage rate for an apprentice is £6.40 per hour. As an apprentice you will also be entitled to holiday pay and other employee rights.

Your employment contract should confirm your rate of pay, which can vary depending on your age and how far through your apprenticeship you are.

You will be treated like any other employee, which includes the perks. You are entitled to paid holiday and other benefits include pension contributions and use of leisure facilities (if applicable).

At Lakes College you can take an apprenticeship between Level 2 and Level 3 which is equivalent to either five GCSEs passes or two A-Level passes.

An apprenticeship is challenging as you have more than 30 hours per week with your employer as well as working towards your qualification but it also gives you the benefit of learning in a real-life work environment (all while earning a wage).

Some of our apprenticeships require you to attend college one day a week. The remaining days will be spent in the workplace.

However, many of our apprenticeships do not require formal attendance and can be completed entirely in the workplace environment.

We are one of the largest providers of apprenticeships in west Cumbria and we work closely with local employers to ensure the best future for everyone.

We make sure that your training is specifically tailored to ensure you develop the skills your employer wants, and we provide suitable apprenticeship placements with reputable businesses.

This means that you will have long-term salary prospects and excellent progression opportunities.

While on your apprenticeship we can also support you with your maths and English skills so you can progress further in your career. Maths and English are vital skills for employment and for everyday life. Having a qualification in maths and English will open up more career opportunities, better education possibilities, a rise in salary potential and increase life satisfaction. At Lakes College we are committed to giving our students life skills and tools to reach their potential. We have a team of tutors who will work with you and help you achieve these essential qualifications so you can progress in your chosen field. If you’re aged 16 to 18 and studying full time, English and maths will be at the core of your study programme at Lakes College, alongside your apprenticeship.

If you are under 19 years old and missed out on your English and/or maths entry requirements for your apprenticeship, we offer English and maths Functional Skills as an alternative, which aims to improve your literacy and numeracy skills.

View our Apprenticeship programmes or call our Apprenticeships team on 01946 839300 for more information.