Apprenticeships differ in entry level, the qualifications that can be achieved, length of commitment and the balance between work and study. Some may involve moving away from home, although not usually.

With lots of variables, it might help to think about the different elements separately to work out which type of apprenticeship suits your teen best. There are three key considerations when choosing one:

1. which entry level is appropriate

2. how long they’d like to study

3. which industry sector appeals

Which entry level is appropriate?

This is largely determined by having the necessary qualifications to be accepted. Entry level ranges from 2 to 7. There’s no entry level 1, because to start an apprenticeship a minimum standard of education is required. Students who don’t have the knowledge needed to start an apprenticeship can take a traineeship, a course designed to prepare them for one.

For post-GCSE apprenticeships, your teen will need at least a minimum standard of maths and English to apply for Level 2 (intermediate), or five GCSE passes to apply for Level 3 (advanced).

To apply for a post-sixth form apprenticeship, at Level 4 to 5 (higher) or Level 6 to 7 (degree), your teen will need at least two A levels (or equivalent), and in some cases may need to have exceeded this. Interestingly, unlike some universities that can be rigid in their entry requirements, employers for apprenticeships can sometimes be more relaxed and offer flexibility around the minimum qualifications if your teen has some industry experience. This makes it all the more important to make sure your teen gets volunteering or work experience while at school (or during the holidays).

How long should they study?

One of the best things about apprenticeships is that the length of study time can vary, so students who don’t feel ready to make a long-term commitment over several years can take a one or two-year apprenticeship and still gain a nationally recognised qualification. Even better, if they change their mind and decide they want to extend their study time to get a higher-level qualification, this is often possible.

Level 2 apprenticeships usually last 12 to 18 months. Level 3 can last 12 to 24 months. Level 4/5 last between three and five years, while Level 6/7 (resulting in a degree) will last three to seven years. Degree apprenticeships offer an attractive alternative to studying full time at university, as students can obtain a BA or BSc degree but don’t incur tuition fees, though it means working in a real job too. Level 7 degree apprenticeships offer the chance to obtain a master’s degree.

What sectors are they interested in?

They should decide which industry they’d like to work in and see what apprenticeships are available within that sector. If they don’t know where their areas of interest lie, it’s time to do some research. Careers advisers can help at school, but they might want to jump online themselves. If they get bored reading about a certain sector, chances are that’s an indication the sector isn’t for them.

If there aren’t any apprenticeships in the industry that most appeals to them, they can consider other sectors if the content of their apprenticeship is transferable. For example, a buildings manager needs to work in the construction industry, but an office manager can train in any sector, gain the skills necessary, then swap sectors later on.

Will the apprenticeship help them get the career they want?

There’s no need to be too specific about the job or role they ultimately want, but it’s important they can see a correlation between their apprenticeship, the areas of study, the experience it will give them, and where they want to be in future (say five years’ time).

One of the great things about apprenticeships is that they offer the opportunity to develop lots of transferable skills through first-hand work placements. Many of these skills are relevant across different industries, so if your teen starts an apprenticeship in one sector and later decides it’s not for them, they’ll still have worthwhile skills when applying for roles elsewhere. However, if they’ve chosen an industry they still enjoy after the apprenticeship, very often they’ll be offered a role within the company where they’ve been an apprentice.

Find out more

The Parents’ Guide to Apprenticeships gives a full overview of apprenticeships, both after GCSE and sixth form, including:

• types of apprenticeship: the qualifications needed at each entry stage, what further qualifications are on offer and how long each lasts

• the pros and cons: why apprenticeships are ideal for some teens but not for others

• degree apprenticeships: how they differ from full-time university degrees

• how to research an apprenticeship

• top ten apprenticeship providers

• the application process and how it works

• helping to prepare teens for interview so they make the best impression

Want to help your teen find the right apprenticeship?

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