EAL Explains: Who delivers apprenticeships and who can apply?

Apprenticeships offer the benefits of paid employment while giving opportunities to learn and grow into a new career, picking up valuable skills and getting used to life in the office or workshop.

Find out who is in charge of running apprenticeship schemes, and who can apply for an apprenticeship with this guide.

Who can apply for an apprenticeship?

Anyone not currently in full-time education can apply for an apprenticeship. Potential candidates can even already be employed by the company where they will be training for their apprenticeship.

Apprentices must be 16 or over, and have the right to live and work in England, spending at least half of their working hours in England.

Who delivers apprenticeships?

An apprenticeship is a collaboration between employer and training provider, driven by an employer’s motivation to fill a vacancy or explore a new business need.

Once the employer knows what type of apprenticeship their business needs, they’ll contact a provider that offers the required level of training with the right skills for an apprentice to develop.

The training provider is responsible for ensuring that the 20% of time dedicated to off-the-job training and study is suitable for the apprentice, while the employer is responsible for providing a suitable work environment and paying the apprentice.

Together they provide the apprenticeship experience that helps the employer fill a role and helps the apprentice develop the requisite skills in a professional environment.

Who offers apprenticeships?

Employers of all sizes based in England offer apprentices the opportunity to come aboard and train towards completion of an apprenticeship over a period of months.

Employers and training providers work together to teach and develop the skills and knowledge of apprentices during their apprenticeship. Larger employers might use internal resource to train staff. Some employers might prefer to focus on the workplace-based aspect, and partner up with a training provider to oversee the off-the-job training.

Who regulates apprenticeships?

Different government bodies work together to oversee the entire framework and processes for apprenticeships in England.

Responsibility for skills and training is split between the Department for Education (DfE) and the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) The DfE is responsible for skills training and careers for those aged 19 and under, while the DWP serves adults 19 and over. The DWP also manages the funding system and has the ultimate responsibility for maintaining the quality of apprenticeships.

• Ofqual regulates the qualifications which apprentices may be required to study towards alongside apprenticeships, such as GCSE-level English and Maths. Ofqual - GOV.UK
• Skills England works alongside employers and training providers on the development and review of apprenticeship content. Skills England - GOV.UK
• Ofsted inspects training providers to ensure the quality of apprenticeship training provision is to the highest standards. Ofsted - GOV.UK

Find more guides to apprenticeships and early careers training at the EAL Learner Hub.

EAL Learner Hub