Apprentice FAQ’s

An apprenticeship is a full-time job combined with study. As an apprentice you will get hands on real working experience whilst studying for a recognised qualification. You will be paid a wage, be entitled to holiday pay and will work alongside industry professionals so you can gain valuable job specific skills and knowledge. The duration and entry requirements for an apprenticeship will depend on the level of study and sector you wish to study in.

If you are unsure what to do we recommend starting a full-time course to gain a general understanding of the sector you want to eventually work in then look into starting an apprenticeship once you are sure about the career path you want to pursue.

The length of an apprenticeship depends on the specific program you decide to study. Some apprenticeships may only be 12 months long whereas some higher-level programs may require longer to complete. Our apprenticeships at BMet range from 1 year to 4 years in duration.

Apprenticeships are delivered predominantly within the workplace. You will typically spend 4 days a week at work and 1 day a week at college. The programme you are interested in will determine the delivery method, some of our programmes are block release where you will come into college for a period of time then complete the rest of your apprenticeship within the workplace, some are delivered solely within the workplace meaning your assessor will come out to your place of work and some of our programmes are delivered remotely so all your college lessons will be delivered via a virtual classroom. Our curriculum team will confirm the delivery of the apprenticeship you are interested in during your initial interview.

Apprenticeships can start at any point throughout the year, some of our apprenticeships at BMet start alongside a normal academic year and some start as soon you are signed up so if September has been and gone don’t assume you have missed your chance – get in touch today!

The amount you earn as an apprentice depends on the company you are employed by. Some of the employers we work with pay the national minimum wage for an apprentice whilst others will pay a salary reflective of the industry. Make sure to read a job description carefully before applying as the wage and typical working week will always be clearly advertised.

As an apprentice you will have to work a minimum of 30 hours per week, the specific hours and working pattern will be determined by the employer so make sure you can commit to the advertised hours before applying for the job. You can always clarify these details with the employer during your interview if you are not sure.

The entry requirements for an apprenticeship depend on the level and subject you are wishing to start your apprenticeship in. The minimum GCSE requirements are usually a C/4 in English and Maths. Take a look at our provision to find the specific entry requirements for the course you wish to study.