| Apprenticeships | Full-time Study | |
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| Save up to £25k of student fees | |
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| Paid holidays and other benefits | |
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We've found future-focused employers that want you to join them.
"It was a very clear and concise application process and easy to find out about the companies involved."
Ellie Glackin, Civil Engineer, AECOM
It’s time for your next career step.
Apply
This webinar will help you make the most of your application.
Register for webinar |
Individual Employers | Learning Providers | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coordinated application timeframe | |
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| Applying to job | |
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| Avoid multiple application forms | |
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| Real-time support | |
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| Information to apply to course | |
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To be an apprentice, you must have:
a job position (on–the–job learning); and
a place on the training provider’s course (off–the–job learning).
You can apply for the apprenticeship job through Work+ (during the Work+ application campaigns – see website for dates and deadlines) and you must also apply separately to the specific training course, usually through the training provider’s own website. We recommend doing both of these applications in parallel (i.e. around January/February time). It is the applicant’s responsibility to apply to and get a place on the training course.
Working and learning at the same time makes sense. Reading textbooks of information isn’t the best way for most people to learn. Putting our learning into practice helps us grow and develop. Apprentices are earning a good salary and gaining a qualification at the same time, without the student debt.
Apprenticeships are a great way to match people with the skills–gap areas in the Northern Irish economy. These areas include software, computing, engineering, accounting, business, admin, marketing, warehousing, logistics and many more!
More courses are being developed each year – check out the Work+ website during our application campaigns for up–to–date information on specific apprenticeship opportunities.
Applicants apply to most apprenticeship training courses (off–the–job learning) through the training provider’s own website (to the part–time or HLA course). Make sure that you apply to both the training provider and to the employer (on–the–job learning).
Yes – Work+ and UCAS are two different platforms.
It’s worth bearing in mind that apprenticeship employers are keen to see that applicants are passionate and interested in their particular apprenticeship – they want to make sure applicants are serious about it and are offering an apprenticeship to the right candidate.
A Work+ apprentice, Emma, once told us: “I don’t feel like I’m missing out on going to university full–time, the experience means more at the end of the day”.
Full–time student life is hard – going to only a few hours of lectures each week, sleeping in, motivating yourself to go to the library, trying not to procrastinate and working a part–time job. It lacks structure and routine, and comes with many challenges. As an apprentice, you are motivated to learn while experiencing the workplace reality. You’re able to get up at the same time each day, have a good routine, make an impact at work, and then you’re ready to switch–off at the weekends. As another apprentice, Gina, said: “It’s set me up for life.”
If you have (or are currently working towards) GCSE or equivalent qualifications, Level 2 or Level 3 apprenticeships are best–suited.
If you have (or are currently working towards) A–level or equivalent qualifications, Level 5 (Foundation degree) or Level 6 (Bachelor’s degree) apprenticeships are a good fit.
Usually it’s the training provider that sets the entry requirements – check their website for specific entry requirements and eligibility checks.
You can enter HLA provision if it is at a higher level to your achieved qualification, or if it is in a subject unrelated to your qualification.
There are three sections to the Work+ application:
My profile – this section is open throughout the year. It includes your qualifications or predicted grades, work experience, and five 150–word questions.
My apprenticeship application – this section unlocks during the application campaigns and is where you select the apprenticeships you want to apply to, as well as ranking employers.
Aptitude test – this is optional, but we recommend that you complete this. It only takes around 35 minutes and can be quite fun! It helps employers see more than just a written application form from applicants. Make sure to complete it before the deadline.
Currently, apprenticeships at every level in Northern Ireland are funded by the government for all ages.
Based on previous campaigns, here is a rough guide of what employers might choose to pay their apprentices:
Level 2, £13,000
Level 3, £15,000
Level 4, £16,500
Level 5, £18,000
Level 6, £19,000
Level 7, £21,000
Salaries are at the employer’s discretion. During our application campaigns, employers state the salary for that particular job role.
Draft your answers on a Google Doc. Jot down all your thoughts and as you keep reading over them, condense your answers to be what’s most impressive!
Ask for help and advice – talk through your application with a parent, teacher, friend or Careers adviser. Someone who knows you well will be able to help you think through your top skills and achievements. You won’t want to miss anything!
Remember that employers are reading your application – they want to find talent. Show your passion and interest for the apprenticeship that you are applying to.
Check over your answers – read over your application yourself, and get someone else to read over your application. Look out for typos, spelling, punctuation and grammar.
An apprenticeship is a full–time job. We’ve found that 95% of apprentices stick with the company they’re working in after their apprenticeship, and they’ve already had years of experience.
During the Work+ application campaigns you can view the live job opportunities available that year.
In the meantime, check out our YouTube stories to hear from apprentices, employers and Work+. As a Work+ apprentice, you join a network of apprentices – check it out here.
We also have a mailing list and if you would like to be kept up–to–date, sign–up here.
